Mehmet Ozan - "Istanbul Express" {Denmark} [1979] turkish folk jazz/fusion

Like Okay Temiz, Mehmet Ozan also built his music career outside of Turkey. As far as i know he was member of several great bands such as Balkan, Bazaar and worked with several musicians like Anders Koppel, Alex Riel, Mads Vinding who are also premier jazz musicians of Denmark today. The album name, Istanbul Express, later become the name of the band. Under the name Istanbul Express they did two more albums. This is their first. Sound of the album is between Okay Temiz's works and early Moğollar. Various Music styles such as Brasilian samba, forró; Caucassian lezginka mixed with traditional turkish folk fusion added a nice colorful mood to the songs. A hidden gem for the lovers of east meets with west works.

iStanBuL eXpReSS..
uRfA..

Mercury Magic - "Mercury Magic" {USA} [1980] progressive rock

vocal driven soft prog released at 1980, unfortunetly i couldnt find any information. some songs on this album has very nice mood, lyrics are about love and social issues. i like the coverart. this is an album with some songs that fits perfect for 14feb. ;-)


5th. tRack..

Y.Poulopoulos, Maria Douraki & Y.Thomopoulos - "Maria" {Greece} [1970]

Orchestra and Chorus conducted by Nikos Skembris.

Songs of M.Violaris & Maria Douraki.

Lyrics: Dionyssis Tzefronis

More info welcome

A3. Death's Bitter Breath...
A6. Pursued Dream...

Link in comments...

Head - "Red Dwarf & Blackpool Cool" {UK} [1975-77] prog jazz/fusion

for a few days i am amazing myself listening this band over and over again. last time i was that happier to listen a similar sounding band was the day i listened Probe 10. think of early king crimson albums with more jazzier sound and more sharp edges. some information about the band that i found; "Sometimes known as "the haggis of fusion jazz bands," Head was a small combo active in Glasgow in the '70s. The rhythm section of drummer Billy Kyle and bassist Graham Mince were consistent factors in the three albums released by the group over a fiveyear period, as was the presence of multiinstrumentalist John Davies, who doubled on keyboards and trumpet. Other members of the group changed from album to album, guitarist Charles Alexander drifting away to be replaced by Lachlan McColl, saxophonist Gordon Cruickshank taking up where previous honker Howard Copland had left off. Selfdetermination, an important concept in documenting improvised during the '70s, was vital to the Head liturgy. The group's debut releaseentitled GTF in reference to a crude Scottish way of suggesting someone should depart quicklywas released through SRT, basically a vanity consortium. The band started up its own label, Head records, for its final and most commercial production, Blackpool Cool. This Head should not be confused with other bands that use this name such as a more recent outfit fronted by Gareth Sager..." read more here. a hidden gem!

eaRthsonG SuiTe..
KicK Me quicK..
White GiAnT..


thanks to osurec & tristan.

Zoppo Trump - "Zoppo Trump" {Germany} [1971-76]

The progressive band from Dortmund was only known for their two tracks on the LP "Scena Westphalica". On the CD there are in addition seven hitherto unreleased studio recordings.

Zoppo Trump from Dortmund are known in collectors’ circles only for the sampler LP “Scena Westphalica” (Förderturm Records UP I/76), on which they are represented with their highly praised pieces “Wellengang” and “Fluktuation”. In addition to these tracks, the CD contains another seven tracks of a perfect sound which had been studio recordings and had not been released until then. Style: progressive rock slightly influenced by jazz and classical music, however mostly without any wind instruments. There was a sporadic use of the Mellotron and English vocals. Comparable to Streetmark. Udo Preising had come from Electric Mud. Nicky Gebhard later joined Wallenstein, and Martin Buschmann, son of the well-known jazz- musician Rainer Glen Buschmann, joined Cochise. For some time, by the way, Dieter Gorny was on bass for Zoppo Trump. There are, however, no recordings from this period of their band history. http://www.diregarden.com/god154.html

01 Man of Peace (1971)
02 Queen of War (1971)
03 Get Out of the Fixer Circle (1972)
04 Confusion (1972)
05 From my Window (1972)
06 Six of Eight (1972)
07 Dream of Hope (1972)
08 Wellengang (1976)
09 Fluktuation (1976)

- Ferdi Eberth (voc, g, sax, org)
- Ulrich Beck (g)
- Martin Buschmann (p, org, Mellotron, alto sax)
- Thomas Laleicke (b, backing voc)
- Udo Preising (b)
- Nicky Gebhard (dr, perc)
- Wolfgang Hahn (dr)

02 Queen of War...
03 Get Out of the Fixer Circle...

Link in comments...

Yggdrasil - "Yggdrasil" {Germany} [1972]

From Munich. With violin and flutes. Their only LP was recorded in the summer of 1972 but only 10 copies of the metal acetate were made. From a first-grade copy of the master tape

Yggdrasil from Munich named themselves after the world ash or yew tree of the Germanic tribes and played progressive rock of a calmer nature, with flute, violin, and English lyrics. They are hardly known, as their own LP, recorded in the Robert Meilhaus Studio, didn’t get beyond the so-called metal acetate, a pre-state which can be played. In summer 1972, only 10 copies were produced by Meilton; they have never appeared in collector circles. These records could probably be sold for a four-digit amount today. The CD contains the five LP tracks plus eight instrumentals from 1970, then soundtrack to the TV series “Sommer in Sizilien” [Summer in Sicily], as well as five demo tracks recorded in the rehearsal room. Fortunately, there was still a copy of the LP master tape. http://www.diregarden.com/god153.html

- Walter Waidosch (vl, rec, b)

- Peter Jakob (fl)

- Werner Vill (voc)

- Fred Beck (g, fl)

- Uli Kellner (g, b)

- Reinhold Fries (dr)

01 Something on My Mind...
02 Birds Still Flyin’ in the Rain...
03 Mothers and Seeds...
15 A Long Distance Call...

Link in comments...

Mozzarella - "2 - For Export" {Ecuador} [1983]

Mozzarella , banda de rock de fines de los setentas y comienzos de los ochentas radicada en Quito, Ecuador.Los inicios ... Despues de un poco deambular por la pequeña escena rockera setentera del Ecuador se reunen, saliendo de pequeñas bandas, los miembros originales que son Oswaldo Valencia ( batería), Andres Jarrín (guitarra), Antonio Alarcón (guitarra) y Wellington Flores (bajo), con los que se forma el grupo llamado "Hechizo Fuxia", grupo que experimenta por primera vez composiciones propias como son "El Puente" y una canción inédita que recibe el nombre de Mozzarella, jamas impresa en discos, y referida a cierto delicia culinaria preferida por los músicos de esa época... more... http://www.myspace.com/mozzarella81

first album "in vitro"

alpha centauro...
opus 69 (part I)...

Link in comments...

Magic Spell - "Is There Anywhere a Gas Station?" {Switzerland} [1980] kraut/progressive rock

after isabel's nice post from switzerland, let we continue from switzerland with another mysterious band, magic spell. unfortunately there is no information about the band other than the back cover, one german review i found at net indicates the sound is pretty much similar to eloy. i like the atmosphere and the psychedelic feel of the album. any informations welcome. a hidden treasure for cosmic kraut lovers. enjoy!

Is theRe aNyWheRe A...

Sicher - "Sicher" {Switzerland} [1981]

Swiss ensemble roughly similar to countrymen Eloiteron, Flairck and Wurtemberg.

I could not find a review for this band, informations be welcome

Sicher...

Thanks to progman :o)

link in comments...

Beausoleil Broussard - "Journal de Bord" {Canada} [1976-1980]

Beausoleil Broussard, is a group of acadian music formed in 1975, with members Isabelle Roy, Claude Fournier, Jean-Gabriel Comeau and Jacques Savoy.
In 1978 at Paris they won one prize about young french pop. In four years of activity Beausoleil Broussard recorded three albums. You can listen some of these beautiful works in this album.



Le reel de la Nouvelle-Écosse


Link in comments...

Bowl - "Bowl" {Netherlands} ['75-'77] progressive rock

bowl appeared in the scene of netherlands at mid seventies. they did several concerts. as far as i know they never came up with a release under a label, however several songs recorded on their live concerts in time, and what we got in this album is the songs that rescued from old tapes. about the album, it has so nice atmosphere beautified with baraque elements. the sound is similar to the bands like camel, alquin and kayak. there is not even a dull song on the album, and for some songs i like to listen over and over. as the time passes some members changed, some new joined. musicians in the records were; Hessel Hoornveld(Bass guitar, guitar), Hans Elmers(Vocals), Johan Spiering(Keyboards), Bas Blom(Guitar), Hans Andringa(Drums), Herman Meyer(Guitar), Bob Schaafsma(Guitar). A hidden gem for the lovers of 70s progressive rock.

tHe pLacK..
staNding beFoRe thE winDoW..

thanks to ertwen :)

Giger Lenz Marron - "Beyond" {Germany} [1977] jazz/fusion

Formed by former Dzyan members Peter Giger and Eddy Marron, along with jazz bassist Günter Lenz, this super trio offered a more jazz oriented yet similar music to Dzyan, but with a jazzier feel. Without the electronics and weirdness of Dzyan, their music centred around Peter Giger's flowery percussion and Eddy Marron's multi-guitars and ethnic saz, and was much more jazz-fusion based. Giger.Lenz.Marron dabbled with unusual time signatures and lots of experimentation with Eastern musics and off-beat rhythmic structures. read more here

beYoNd..

Mara! - "Images" {Australia} [1984] prog folk

Mara!’s musicians are among the most highly regarded world and jazz players in Australia. Together in Mara! they create one of Australia’s most exciting, innovative and uplifting ensembles.
Over the last 25years, Mara! have developed a unique musical style which fuses folk roots with modern jazz expressionism, adding influences from rock to early music, while journeying through Anglo-Celtic, middle Eastern, Balkan and Mediterranean traditions. Nowadays Mara! perform many original works which are a musical mirror where these flavours find their dazzling reflection. Fronted by the remarkable and magnetic voice of Mara Kiek, Mara! have brought their virtuosic concert performances…read more here

dAance oF ZalonGou..
sAdina jaNA..
NeSa NeSa..

The Helpful Soul - "A Thousand And One Night" {Japan} [1969]

The career of the Helpful Soul was a real case of wrong place, wrong time - for they hit their blues stride just as heavy blues was becoming hard rock, and graduated to heavy rock too late to capitalise on even that brief fad. However, they recorded one outstanding track, the ten-minutes-plus of "Peace For Fools", which appeared on their otherwise bog-standard blues dirge debut LP. This track in itself separates them from all Japanese blues bands for it is a Kim Fowleyan masterpiece of Jim Morrison mystical doggerel/truly possessed nihilist genius. Unfortunately, leader Junio Nakahara was so inspired by witnessing a performance by Blues Creation, when his band supported them at the Too Much Festival, that he was soon after driven to change his own name to Tstomu Ogawa while his band became known as ... Too Much. http://www.japrocksampler.com/artists/japrock/helpful_soul/



I think this album is a soundtrack of a movie and I'm sorry but I'm not sure it is complete. Maybe I just have the tracks of the band Helpful Soul. Any information or help is welcome. (New link with complete album in comments)

- Junio Nakahara – lead vocalist and slide guitar
- Gene Shoji – lead guitar
- Charles Che - bass
- Eiichi Tsukasa – drums

Discography:
- A Thousand And One Night (Victor, 1969)
- Aladin's Theme 7" EP (Victor, 1969)
- The Helpful Soul First Album (Victor, 1970)

The Dance Of The Bandits...
The Torture...

Link in comments...

Arkadaş - "Arkadaş & Live in Poland" {Switzerland} ['84-'86] turkish jazz/fusion

If you enjoy the works of Okay Temiz like Oriental Wind, Sevda; then this is something for you. The band name arkadaş means friend in turkish. arkadaş was a swiss band appeared in early 80s and did 2 nice albums. Their music is a kind of free form jazz fusion with turkish folk spices. a hidden treasure for the lovers of east meets west works.

aRkadAs..
LiVe pL..

thanks to osurec :)

Akacis - "Akacis" {Latvia} [1979] progressive rock

Akacis, a musical group that existed from 1977 into the 1990s, was the longest lived Latvian-American rock band of its time. While groups like Čikāgas piecīši and Trīs no Pārdaugavas performed and were influenced by traditional songs, Akacis was one of the first Latvian-American groups to be guided by more contemporary sounds, with aspects in its music of pop, hard rock, progressive rock, and even jazz rock, folk and reggae.
The group performed throughout North America and Europe at Latvian song festivals, American Latvian Youth Organization (Amerikas latviešu jaunatnes apvienība, or ALJA) events and many other functions. The band also toured Latvia during the cultural exchanges of the Third National Awakening from 1989-1990.
The group’s name means “pit in a bog” in English, and is similar to the literal definition of the word “quagmire,” something the group would later allude to when it gave itself the more “American” name of Quags. Why the band chose the name Akacis (the name itself was suggested by drummer Aivars Šmits) remains unclear, but apart from the standard reason of “it sounds cool,” there is also ...read more here

doMaS..


a hidden treasure! Thanks to Valdis :)

Percewood's Onagram - "Lessons For Virgins" {Germany} [1971]

Percewood's Onagram had already found its own, original style of music and it wasn't "Kraut-Rock" at all, they sounded more like an English or American band. P. O.'s music is a strange and unique combination of R&B, Beat, Psychedelic, Folk and (garage-, livingroom-, prewave-) Rock. Catchy, timeless songs, rough and beautiful at the same time with pretentious sometimes provoking critical - but again timeless lyrics. Presented by the band in perfect English and unusual phrasing and backed up by strong acoustic & electric guitars, piano, harmonica, drums and bass. (A combination and sound of instruments that many new groups of today go back to ...)

01 - High in the Sky

02 - Seven Minds
03 - Summer Song
04 - Good Time on Earth
05 - Lesson for a Virgin
06 - Set You Free
07 - Mike, Are You Comin'...
08 - Seven Minds
09 - Sumer Song
10 - Good Time on Earth

- Wolfgang Michels (vocals, guitar)
- Klaus Kaufmann (piano)
- Eddy Muschketat (harp, percussion)
- Hans Jürgen "Jojo" Ludwig (drums, 1969-73)
- Peter Conant-Schaffer (lead guitar, 1973-74)
- Geary Priest (drums, 1973-74)
- Gerald Heinemann (vocals, percussion, 1973-74)
- Uwe "Bass" Meyer (bass, 1974)

05 - Lesson for a Virgin...
06 - Set You Free...
07 - Mike, Are You Comin'...

link in comments...

Steve Drake Band - "Nature Intended” {USA} [1976]

It’s not known exactly how Steve Kaczorowski/Drake and Tiger Lily got hooked up; possibly he simply sent them a demo of one of his karaoke collections, as was his style, and Tiger Lily released it with no strings attached, as was their style. In any event, it is appropriate to the label that the Kacz-man here took his karaoke rock concept to even further heights: he stopped bothering with the vocal overdubs, but simply taped a bunch of tracks from obscure UK import albums and christened them Steve Drake Band recordings! The selection is even more schizophrenic and unlikely, throwing you abruptly between different soundscapes and moods. As on the earlier albums, several tracks inexplicably retain their original titles, rather than being anonymized under new headings. more... http://www.lysergia.com/LamaWorkshop/Kacz/lamaKacz.htm

A1 Nature Intended
A2 Rap On
A3 Slark
A4 Adam And I
B1 Somebody
B2 Dave Ross & Me
B3 Eastern Wind
B4 Perfect Love
B5 Jennie's Extravaganza

Thanks to obscuremusic

A1 Nature Intended...
A4 Adam And I...

Link in comments....

Puppenhaus - "Jazz Macht Spazz" {Germany} [1973-74] (prog jazz-rock)

No progressive rock music fan should be misled by the album title "Jazz macht Spazz", a bowdlerization of "jazz makes fun", this is progressive jazz-rock at its best. Büdi Siebert (flutes and saxes), Herbert Binder (gt), Frank Fischer (bass), later with Release Music Orchestra, Thomas Rabenschlag (keys) and drummer Bea Maier (later with Zomby Woof and Moira), all well trained on the instruments, played a varied, inventive, melodic and often furious kind of music with lots of Krautrock magic influenced by Frank Zappa, King Crimson, Soft Machine and Weather Report. 5 titles on this CD were recorded at German radio station SWF, 2 titles are live recordings (taped from the soundboard), all in all 77 minutes of great flute and sax playing, furious and lyrical guitar and bass work, hypnotic rhythm patterns and perfect keyboard sounds. Hard to believe, that Puppenhaus never recorded an album. In 1980 Büdi Siebert with friends recorded an album under the name "Herrgottsax", which also will be released in the next month on Long Hair. Digitally remastered from original master tapes. CD comes with comprehensive booklet, band story by the musicians, many photos and especially with a wonderful cover based on a painting by drummer Bea Maier. Highly recommended http://www.krautrock-musikzirkus.de/de,Puppenhaus_Jazz-macht-Spass_3147,N.html

01 - Anfang
02 - Jazz Macht Spazz
03 - Elefanten
04 - Let The Pig Out
05 - Imporvisationen
06 - 5 Mal Schnitzel
07 - Sabanone

- Herbert Binder - guitar
- Frank Fischer - bass
- Berthold Maier - drums
- Thomas Rabenschlag - keyboards
- J.P. 'Büdi' Siebert - flutes, saxes

01 - Anfang...
02 - Jazz Macht Spazz...

Thanks to Osurec :o)

link in comments....

Perspectiva - "'Lá Fora' A Cidade / Os Homens da Minha Terra" + "Rei Posto Rei Morto / O Oitavo Sorriso" {Portugal} [1976-77] (Singles, Prog)

A partir do grupo Plexus, banda que tocava Rock copiando os ídolos da época, formaram-se os Perspectiva, uma importante banda no panorama do Rock português, na Segunda metade dos anos 70 do século XX. O núcleo duro da banda era constituído por Tó Pinheiro da Silva (guitarra, flauta e voz) e Carlos Viana (piano eléctrico). Os restantes membros do grupo eram: Luís Miguel (baixo), Raul Rosa (bateria), Vítor Real(voz). A estes juntar-se-iam, mais tarde, José Firmino (percussões e voz) e José Manuel (guitarra).
A banda, uma das primeiras a enveredar pelo estilo "sinfónico" e "progressivo" (a par dos Tantra), formou-se no Barreiro. Tó Pinheiro da Silva era membro de outra banda muito importante, nessa época, a Banda do Casaco.
Após tentarem contrato com a Valentim de Carvalho, através da entrega de uma "maqueta" a Mário Martins, começam a ensaiar a sério (após terem sido expulsos de um local na sua cidade-natal porque faziam muito "barulho", passaram a fazê-lo num velho moinho abandonado) e a participar em muitos espectáculos pelo país.
Em 1976 conseguem um contrato discográfico com a Imavox, para onde conseguiram entrar após terem sido ouvidos por Sérgio e Madi, produtores dessa companhia discográfica, onde pontuavam como directores António Pinho e Nuno Rodrigues. O primeiro disco gravado pela banda foi o "single" intitulado "Lá Fora A Cidade", que continha no lado dois o tema "Os Homens Da Minha Terra". Estes temas tiveram acompanhamento de uma orquestra sinfónica, para dar um tom mais "sinfónico" à música da banda. Muito elogiado pela crítica, este disco é hoje uma das grandes raridades discográficas portuguesas.
Em 1977 gravam novo "single" com o título "Rei Morto, Rei Posto" em que o lado B era ocupado com o tema "O Oitavo Sorriso". O letrista ao serviço da banda era José Beiramar que escrevia os poemas com grande intensidade e revelando grandes sentimentos humanísticos e apontando problemas sociológicos comuns ao povo português.
A revista "Rock Em Portugal", à época o único meio de comunicação social a interessar-se pelo fenómeno do Rock cantado ou feito por portugueses foi, desde sempre defensora acérrima da qualidade da banda, tendo-a destacado como uma das "Bandas do Ano" em 1977. Foi também a "Rock Em Portugal" que convidou os Perspectiva a participarem na festa de lançamento da revista, através da participação num Festival Rock no pavilhão do Clube Atlético de Campo de Ourique, em Lisboa, onde os Perspectiva foram os grandes vencedores. Participaram também os Kontrol e os Hosanna.
Em Maio de 1978 a mesma revista produz uma longa entrevista com os membros da banda, que são capa da edição. Nesta entrevista ficou a saber-se as dificuldades que os músicos de Rock passavam na altura. O mercado estava virado para o que vinha do estrangeiro (e ainda não havia Play-Lists nas rádios) e o que era português não era muito bem aceite pelo mercado.
A curiosidade desta entrevista foi a presença numa fotografia do "Nacib" da telenovela brasileira "Gabriela", após o entrevistador ter solicitada a Armando Bogus (infelizmente já falecido) a sua autorização para posar junto com os Perspectiva. Num dos espectáculos ao vivo, realizado nas ruínas do Convento do Carmo, a banda chegou a actuar com a orquestra sinfónica da RDP, mas a experiência não foi muito bem sucedida e acabou por ser abandonada.
Outros temas da banda, tornados conhecidos através dos seus concertos, eram "A Quinta Parte Do Mundo"(um longo poema/hino à liberdade) para além de "Sul", "Norte" ou "A Primeira Flor". Esteve programada a gravação daquele que viria a ser o primeiro LP da banda que até tinha título. Seria intitulado "A Quinta Parte Do Mundo", mas nunca chegou a ver a luz do dia, porque a banda deu por terminadas as suas actividades musicais.
Tó Pinheiro da Silva continuou nas lides musicais, não só como membro da Banda do Casaco, até ao seu desaparecimento, mas, também, como técnico de gravação em estúdio e técnico de som. Com esta última especialidade teve oportunidade de correr o mundo, já que foi técnico de som dos Madredeus até 1997. Como técnico de estúdio gravou com uma infinidade de artistas portugueses alguns discos importantíssimos do nosso panorama musical. ARISTIDES DUARTE - http://rockemportugal.blogspot.com/2005/04/biografia-perspectiva.html
more http://a-trompa.net/recordacoes/recordacoesla-fora-a-cidade-perspectiva

'Lá Fora' A Cidade / Os Homens da Minha Terra [1976]

A - "Lá Fora" a Cidade...
B - Os Homens da Minha Terra...


Rei Posto Rei Morto / O Oitavo Sorriso [1977]

A - Rei Posto Rei Morto...
B - O Oitavo Sorriso...


Link in comments....

Rixsta - "The Language Of My Spirit" {UK} [2009] Exclusive for PNF!

English Guitarist/Singer “Rixsta” received his first guitar as a birthday present and started recording in 1999 on his home computer at the age of 16, inspired by the sounds of soul and rock, especially from the 70’s.
Rixsta’s latest recordings are becoming inspired by jazz, blues & progressive rock.

This albums put together by the artist himself explores some of his best moments in 2007 to 2008
Mostly recorded improvisation at home and song ideas

Instrovization
--
"The lead guitar was recorded on the third take, totaly improvised throughout.
i remember letting go of all this emotion as i played.
Atho this has no words i belive it to be very true to how i was feeling that day :)"

01 - Searching Out
02 - Somethin' About Somethin'
03 - Love Keeps Shinin' On
04 - We Can Heal Each Other (But I Could Heal Myself)
05 - Popfunk
06 - Wake Up (From Your Dream)
07 - Walkin' In The Park
08 - Winter Meloncholy Dream
09 - Jazzy Baby
10 - Sometimes Life Is Hard
11 - Just Can't Take It Anymore
12 - Jam
13 - Lighten Up My Friend
14 - Lonely Blues
15 - Exploding Within
16 - Rhythms Call You
17 - Instrovization

01 - Searching Out...
08 - Winter Meloncholy Dream...
09 - Jazzy Baby...
17 - Instrovization...

check out more rixsta at
www.Rixsta.co.uk
www.last.fm/music/Rixsta
www.myspace.com/tuanehammer

link in comments....

Captain Marryat - "Captain Marryat" {UK} [1974]

Named after the 19th Century mariner and novelist, this Glaswegian band made just one privately-pressed LP. Its back cover announces that ‘Captain Marryat is a Scottish band, and have been playing together for just under a year. They already have a sizeable following in the pubs n’ clubs circuit and this, their first LP, is a sample of the music that brought them success’. The line-up was Tommy Hendry (vocals, acoustic guitar), Ian McEleny (lead guitar, acoustic guitar), Allan Bryce (organ, vocals), Hugh Finnegan (bass, vocals) and Jimmy Rorrison (sic) (drums, vocals). They were originally intending to record a single, but the engineer at the Glasgow studio they’d booked told them that there was time enough to make a whole album. They therefore taped five tracks they’d already written (‘Blindness’, ‘It Happened To Me’, ‘A Friend’, ‘Songwriter’s Lament’ and ‘Changes’) and finished the LP with an improvised jam (‘Dance Of Thor’). The result came in a drab flipback sleeve, and according to one dealer is ‘a progressive rock rarity with psych flourishes – doom-laden organ plus acid guitar riffs and strong male vocals’. The 250 copies pressed were sold at gigs, and two that surfaced on eBay in late 2008 went for around £3000 each. (RMJ) http://www.galacticramble.com/page10/page3/page3.html

A1 Blindness
A2 It Happened to Me
A3 A Friend
B1 Songwriter's Lament
B2 Changes
B3 Dance of Thor

- Jimmy Rorrison - Vocals/Drums
- Hugh Finnegan - Bass/Vocals
- Allan Bryce - Organ/Vocals
- Tommy Hendry - Vocals/Acoustic Guitar
- Ian McEleny - Lead Guitar/Acoustic Guitar

Thanks a lot to obscuremusic

Posted by obscuremusic on ProgNotFrog-Forum:
http://pnfforum.com/index.php?topic=8563.msg24888#msg24888

A1 Blindness
B3 Dance of Thor

link in comments

Désirée - "Make It With a Smile" {Germany} [1976]

I couldnt find info at net. Any information welcome.

01 Listen To The Radio
02 Death of a Little Boy
03 I Am Waiting
04 Darling's Lost Me
05 Sister Of Sea
06 Have You Seen The Rainbow
07 Woman

- Volker Cramer (acc-guitar, lead-guitar, vocals)
- Wolfgang Frauberg (acc-guitar, lead-guitar, vocals)
- Lother Muhleis (Vocal)
- Hugo Steger (drums, piano, vocals)
- Dirk Wulf (bass, vocals)

01 Listen To The Radio
04 Darling's Lost Me
05 Sister Of Sea


Thanks a lot to obscuremusic

Posted by obscuremusic on ProgNotFrog-Forum:
http://pnfforum.com/index.php?topic=8531.0

link in comments

Nicodemus and Matchez - "Better Art Music" {USA} [1986]

St.Nic of Detroit a.k.a. Nicodemus
I'm very happy to have found Nicodemus on site myspace from which I extract the text and pictures.

"I picked up an acoustic guitar at seven years old and could instantly play, much to my suprise. I played an unconventional style which many other guitarists could not figure out what I was doing or how- they were into the copy note for note conventional guitar lesson taught style of music-mimicking their heroes. In my teens I had a band, J.H. Trio, and got a real good shot at being signed to Motown, which was an exceptional experience. I remember David Ruffin telling me, "Man, it don't matter what they say about you as long as they keep talking about you and spell your name right."
A Record deal was in the works when our manager split with the Master tapes and pressing plates- so much for that- The other members gave up, leaving the whole experience to just that, an experience, but one that shook me to the bones and kept me recording through the end of the sixties. I started my own label in 1970, Zedikiah Records, and started recording under the name Nicodemus, putting out 45's, Albums, and Cassettes, fighting against the media's eventual change to CD and then MP3.
I recorded sporatically on a level of at least one or two releases per year as a soloist and then heavially with my brother, Matchez the Congo Kid- he dropped the Congo Kid in 1978 to be just Matchez. So we recorded as Nicodemus and Matchez, building our own studio called R.A.T. Brothers which stood for Recording Artist Techniques, and released the formats on my label Zedikiah Records. In 1974 we recorded as a band with a third member, calling ourselves N.M.G., releasing a couple 45's and one Album. The band broke up as touring was to begin due to ego problems concerning the monopoly of my tunes in comparison with how few Matchez and lead guitarist, M. Grozde, had wanted to contribute, which were unfinished creations.
I sold my guitars, bought a flute and a five string bass(very rare at the time) and started creating more abstract styles of my work while using keyboard and working with sound inside and outside to get the background sounds as an influence to what I was creating. Matchez and I rejoined to record a few albums in the 80's and then again in the 90's, building up a vast library of work which I first called "Future Folk" starting in 1970 and stayed with for four Albums, "Spacechild Squall", "Backstreet Orange", "What For?", and "4 Candles for Angel". I went back to solo work and producing various bands as well as being a one album member for others. I did the Psyche Rock Scene with the acid jazz freestyle recordings of KhloeRoks Black, Gravitar: It's an Idiots Life, and Sweet Kelly. Sweet Kelly I had worked to build up and hype, but out of the three piece band, Radar(now of Alien Inquisition), was the only one serious enough to take the hard fact that music is work but work that is supposed to be fun, after all if you're not enjoying the work(and you beginners beware, serious music is serious business!) you aren't gonna follow through. So into Sweet Kelly's third album recording sessions, Sweet Kelly was already breaking up. While Radar and I see each other and exchange brainstorms, I went back to solo albums, one being "Antannae Moonlite", another being a CD version of 1979's "What For?" with five added songs, "The Strange Saga of Henryetta Flagetta", 1986's "Better Art Music" with my bro Matchez, "A Light in the Dark" which was released through Parallel World, a New York label which contacted Jello Biafra to ask if I'd let them release a' comp of my music. Which by no fault of Jello, he was just a messenger, the CD was released but not promoted which was pretty much fine with me, a new CD of my work that I got paid a paltry sum for. I figured it was like doin' a concert, whoever did hear it was still hearing my space cadet infusion of mind altering on many different levels.

The Lion Roars For Freedom

I've changed styles and created styles and am working to continue after 40 years of being a professional Recording Artist- "I used to say insanity is the highest kind of high", and I used that theory through all the fazes and hazes of my career. Music is like lifes blood, without it I could not survive- Especially when hit with an inoperable brain tumor in 1990 and given six months to a year to live. I have died six times and been brought back to life, twice after being toe tagged and being covered with a sheet. A stroke in 2006 and another in 2007 knocked me on my ass, "Hospice was in the house giving me a' slow and easy way out with the Death certificate written out, only to be signed and dated- but i've recovered again, not completely but enough to know without my mental need like a child to suckle, a fish to swim, the whole human circus which sucks the ever polluted air in need to breathe, so I need to create my music."
My experiments from the ambient soundscapes of Salunox, were a whirling carosal of brain damage put to good use. I would fall asleep standing up after three days of trying to get what it was that I had to pull from the manic universe and create still more. I hope to be here, Body and Soul, and still work solo and with others- walk into other studios and mesh sound and style vocal harmonies to my voice, besides me doing my own back ups. I have been amazed at the sounds my soul has encountered over more than fifty plus years and pray to the ever reeling creation of woman and man to touch another heart through their truly wonderous insights.
Oh, and some final notes.... on "A Light in the Dark" on Parallel world. It was released in 1996, but in 2003, in response to their poor promotion, I released "Lights in the Dark", which contained some songs from from the Parallel World release, some from "What For?", and a hand full of new ones. And in 2007 "In the Math of an Unparallel Universe" was released on Fat Naybors Discs. "High on the Hill & Other Behavioral Questions" is due to be finished and released with hope in 2009. Since the sixth time I died back in 2001( My son, BluRaven gave me C.P.R.) I have been called St. Nic of Detroit a.k.a Nicodemus.
Peace to all-Erase Racism-And there is no excuse for abuse-Save the Children-They are the ones who will wave upon wave bring their voices and sound out in rejoice or despair giving their dreams a' go. Some of all the millions of music makers and shakers become "popular" or "famous", I have settled for being what I wanted to be, an underground artist who answers to no one but my heart. This Legend Lives on... St.Nic of Detroit a.k.a. Nicodemus" www.myspace.com/stnicofdetroitakanicodemus

"I have survived 19 years with inoperable brain cancer (which has begun to return), after a stroke in 06 and another in 07, some long time radiation damage, and a 4am crash on I-94 back in 05 which broke me some bones and wrecked I.O., my 1969 rigid frame Harley Chopper(which now just sits at one of the club houses) I retired from my lifelong membership in Satan's Last Revenge motorcycle club (original chapter 1969 in detroit, 1%ers President from 1973 to 1980). I''M back up to speed onGUITAR & bass and my vocal abilities . I have these back...finally...now if providence will give me [if I even dare ask cosidering the luck I'VE HAD ]A CHANCE TO FOLLOW THRU WITH MY PLANS I shouldbe able to kick a lil' mofoking azz because the music -N- ART iz wat IZE all 'bout I've DONE MY WILD THANG , RODE MY RIGID FRAME UNTIL MY SPINE IS A 3rd of what it once was but,[IF I STAND UP REALLY STRAIT AN' DON'T SLOUCH] I CAN STILL HAVE A striking posture for a man whose broken just about every bone in my body at one time or another-N- many bones more'n once,but as two very special friends,[and i am basicly a stone loner,] friends I must add I'VE MET ON THESE HERE PAGES 1.who told me ST. NIC

Real Tight

it's time to start livin or start dyin'...and 2. It's all relative isn't it NIC? I ONLY HAVE TO CONCLUDE THAT THESE FINE FOLKS -R- NOT JUST RIGHT IN THEIR ADVICE TO ME.....THEY'VE GIVEN ME BACK THE KEY TO MY SOUL...TO ALL THE REST OF YOU WHO'VE LISTENED TO MY ALBUMS ...45'S..AN' CD'S FOR THE last 40 ought years and to my family of the crest spread far -N- wide thanx fer not givin' up on 'ol ST. NIC. here as, i've said I DON'T KNOW MY AUDIENCE,... BUT MY AUDIENCE KNOWS ME...THANX FOR BEIN' OUT THERE -N- AS BEST AS I CAN I SHAL KEEP THE LEGEND ALIVE ..... ALL MY BEST TO YOU ALL .. AND TO ALL IT'Z ALLRITE!!! St. Nic of Detroit a/k/a NICODEMUS" www.myspace.com/stnicofdetroitakanicodemus

01 Cabbage Head
02 Whiskey Bottle
03 Scream
04 I Am Not Happy
05 Curse This Syndrome
06 Diary of A Warped Thumb
07 Nothin's Out of Touch
08 Sittin' In Confusion
09 Legend of The Headless Harley Rider
10 Return of The Spider 11 No Sanctuary

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Tomas Ernvik - "Rockoratoriet Brinnande" {Sweden} [1972]

I couldnt find english review, here is swedish one: "Tomas Ernvik (bördig från Kristinehamn)spelade 1971 in sin första lp "Små låtar" på det religösa skivbolaget "Cymbal", året efter kom denna rockopera-liknande lp ut.
Involverade är gräddan av dåtidens Svenska jesusrockare, men förvänta er inget storverk, det är först några år senare med plattan "Tungt vatten" som Ernviks talang som tung gitarrhjälte blommar ut till fullo.
De latar som saknar latlangt (dvs. fran Tomas tro till Bonestund) gar liksom ihop till en enda lang bonmassa medley.
De blir tillsammans 6:31. Ratt okej skiva faktiskt. De kristna texterna gor den riktigt rolig! Battre an vatten!" http://www.progg.se/band.asp?ID=677

translation:
"Tomas Ernvik (from Kristinehamn) played in 1971 his first LP "small songs" on the religious record label "Cymbal" the year after came this rock-opera simmilar LP out. Involved on this record is the creme of that dates Swedish jesusrockers, but don't expect a great work. it's first after a few years later with the record "Tungt vatten (heavy water)" that shows of his true talent as a heavy guitar hero first comes out to it's fullest. It seems like like the songs from "Tomas tro" to "Bonestund" is a long medley (6.31 in total) Pretty good record in total. The christian lyrics makes it pretty pleasant and easy to listen to! Better than Water!" FS
Thanks a lot FS ;)

A1. Inledning (5:59)
A2. Den uppstandne Jesus (2:30)
A3. Marias lovsang (2:01)
A4. Tomas tvivel (1:44)
A5. Konfrontationsblues (4:04)
A6. Tomas tro (6:31)
- Jesu slutord 1
- Larjungakor
- Jesu slutord 2
- Missionsbefallningen
- Bonestund
B1. Pingstafton (2:35)
B2. Pingstdagen (10:18)
B3. Petrus predikan (3:04)
B4. hallelujakor (3:02)

- Bjorn Dahlberg - Trumpet
- Bosse Lindqvist - Orgel
- Jalle Ahlstrom - Trummor
- Lars Folkerman - Trumpet
- Marian Muzykant - Trombon
- Pavel Cech - Tenorsax
- Sigge Nilsson - Piccolotrumpet
- Thomas Lindbjer - Bas
- Tomas Ernvik - Piano, orgel, gitarr

A5. Konfrontationsblues...
B2. Pingstdagen...


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Osjan - "Ossian" (feat. Tomasz Stanko) {Poland} [1978]

Like the Wawel dragon, this mysterious band emerged from a cave in Cracow.

Osjan is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating bands on the Polish stage. Formed 28 years ago, they still remain part of the underground. They play concerts infrequently and rarely release records.

Osjan's work can be described as an original synthesis of many traditions and music cultures. The group's strength lies in its enormous musical imagination, creativity and genuine message. The musicians have never attached importance to their public image. Osjan is surrounded by a mysterious aura, and facts about the band's activities merge with legend.

The history of Osjan dates back to the 1970s and Crocow's musical circles grouped around the Piwnica pod Baranami club, then the center of Cracow's artists and counterculture. At that time Jacek Ostaszewski, a well-known jazz double bass player, and guitarist Marek Jackowski, both from the band Anawa, decided to start a new project. Soon they were joined by painter and poet Tomasz Hołuj. The group's early rehearsals took place in many different places, most often hotel rooms. The name Osjan was chosen after the band heard it in an Ewa Demarczyk song version of a Bolesław Leśmian poem.

Soon the band's line-up changed, but for 20 years the core of Osjan has been Dimitrios Milo Kurtis, Wojciech Waglewski and Radosław Nowakowski, together with Jacek Ostaszewski. Numerous distinguished musicians have worked with them including the trumpeters Tomasz Stańko and Don Cherry. The band used to regularly perform with Black Horse Cheavers, a Cherokee shaman.

However, it is not the musicians, but the search for their own artistic expression that explains the Osjan phenomenon. In the 1970s, in an atmosphere ruled by banal rock on the one hand and complicated jazz structures on the other, Osjan looked for a different way, for a simplified form of expression: "For example, we would play for half an hour on two or three notes," remembers Ostaszewski. "What fascinated me, not only in the sphere of music, was the search for forms that would allow free expression, not limited to the conventions of jazz, pop or classical music." Osjan was looking for alternative solutions. The group used various elements of traditional Balkan, African, Slavic and Indian music and managed to combine them with free jazz and European classical music. An important influence on shaping the group's musical image were concerts with Don Cherry, as well as inspiration from Zen Buddhism.

Osjan belongs to the small circle of performers who have developed their own original style. The group's compositions, labeled as ethnic music, world music, and so on, reveal the extent of its members' musical quest, as do their performances. For them, playing music together is a form of communication and constant dialogue between themselves and the audience. That is why concerts, when they do happen, are so important to them-there is a dialogue between Waglewski's guitar and Nowakowski's drums, Ostaszewski's flutes and Kurtis's percussion, but the freedom of improvisation does not destroy the overall structure of the concert.

No wonder then that Osjan's rich experience was emvulated by other performers, for example, Maanam (a group formed by Jackowski and Kurtis) in its early days and Voo Voo, another unique Polish rock band, headed by Waglewski... read more here

01 - Wstep Do "Ksiegi Chmur"
02 - Epilog "Muzyki Fruwajacej Ryby"
A: Ten Sam Wiatr Porusza Dwa Drzewa
B: Dziurawe Ucho / Prawe

- Tomasz Stañko
- Jacek Ostaszewsk
- Tomasz Holuj
- Milo Kurtis

01
02A
02B

Some early albums here

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Adaen - "Dancing Metropolis Burial" {Russia} [2009] Exclusive for PNF!

"Adaen is a one man band tending to be not just studio project but also a concert one. This project is started with ”Dancing Metropolis Burial” album recording where Adaen (a pseudo name of the musician) composed all the songs and played all the instruments without session musicians involving not to ruin the created musical/lyrical conception. Being an ex-former of some rock bands, playing progressive rock and some metal-like stuff in this project he chose a bit simplified form of prog rock with some grunge, psychedelic and even 90s’ music influences. Low tuned guitars, simple harmonic patterns, long songs, some sound effects in combination with abstract and depressive lyrics present a way of developing his own style. The warm voice with some Russian accent sings about things that seem simple: love, death, childhood, self-sacrifice and the main thing each song is about – being a king of a quiet and imperceptible person who lives his life invisibly for everyone and even his death can’t call for surrounding people’s reaction, whose funerals are nothing for the ones who dance, sing and seem to be happy almost always. The songs are songs; with no high-technical striking solos and complicated parts, but ”Burial” is really interesting with its emotional send. To help the emotions be intertwined into the music Alex Perfilyev, a young but very high-skilled and talented sound engineer and musician first of all (that mattered too much for Adaen), became the producer of the album. They played together in some bands and Alex perfectly knew about feeling and emotions led in this music and what to do to create really individual sound and how to play additional instruments in Adaen’s manner. Recording/mixing and mastering has engaged 11 months, but this record became a real pride for both of them. Now when the album is ready it appears on some sites and everyone can download it absolutely free, ‘cause only the moral aims are chasing but not the commercial ones. Now Adaen is working on his second album and looking for musicians to create a trio-band for shows."

1 Airships
2 Disconnected
3 Sounds of Running Trains
4 Cameras Set Within
5 The Second Wave

Adaen – voices, baritone guitars, bass, drum programming*.
Music and lyrics by Adaen.
Produced by Alexander Perfilyev and Adaen.
Mixed by Alexander Perfyliev.
Mastered by Bob Katz at Digital Domain, Orlando, FL, USA.
* programming, additional guitars and bass by Alexander Perfilyev.

Genre - progressive rock
Influences - Silverchair, Tool, Muse, Nirvana, Dream Theater, Rush etc.
further more - http://www.myspace.com/adaenband

1 Airships
2 Disconnected
3 Sounds of Running Trains

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Pogonophobia "Bimmib" [2009] (Space, Kraut, Psychadelic)

Here we go again! I've been busy the last six months with all kinds of stuff, but the hunt for good stuff haven't stoped!
So here it is the latest album from Pogonophobia and this time with a drumer and on extra guitarist. And that does a lot for the sound!
In fact this is an album that contains some material from their third (The Book Of Improvisa) album andsome newley recorded songs.
It sounds like the old unknown kraut band Pyramid meets Tangerine Dream
I really hope that they will develop their music and do what they do best great trippy psychadelic!

My favourit tune is Road to Samadhi 1


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Neuschwanstein - "Alice in Wonderland" {Germany} [1976] (Symphonic Prog)

This is German prog from the late seventies. Instrumentally, acoustic guitar, flute, harpsichord and a variety of keyboards lock together to make an extremely rich and beautiful musical backdrop, with some absolutely gorgeous themes. The music is melodic with detailed arrangements and interesting orchestration. The vocalist sounds remarkably like Peter Gabriel; lyrics are all in English. The sound could be described as "Planets" period ELOY meets "Moonmadness" period CAMEL, with a touch of MACHIAVEL. The reissue on CD of a real "must", a mythical disk from unknown musicians.
http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=261

01. Theme of Alice - The Flower Meadow - The White Rabbit (1:17)
02. The Gate to Wonderland (2:13)
03. Pond of Tears (2:45)
04. The conference of the Princess - Old Father's Song - Duchess' Lullaby (8:31)
05. Five-O'Clock-Tea (6:49)
06. The Marching of the queen - Palace of Wonderland (12:04)
07. The Court of the Animals (5:01)
08. Alice's Return (2:04)

- Thomas Neuroth (Keyboards)
- Klaus Mayer (Flute, Synthesizer)
- Roger Weiler (Guitars)
- Frederic Joos (Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar)
- Rainer Zimmer (Bass, Vocal)
- Hans-Peter Schwarz (Drums)
- Hermann Rarebell (Drums) (ex-The Scorpions)

06. The Marching of the queen - Palace of Wonderland
08. Alice's Return

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