Central do Prog

VEZHLIVYI OTKAZ - Geese & Swans (2010, CD, Russia)

2012-01-04T11:19:00.007+01:00

A masterpiece!!
Myspace
Official website
Support this artist, buy it!!

BAKA MUTZ - S/T (1995, CD, France)

2010-10-30T14:09:00.003+02:00

'Baka Mutz' from the Indo-European for 'I am very surprised', was first thought up at the time of the opening of the Berlin Wall. In January 1990 the Wrede/Nabicht duo performed in the Great Hall of La Villette as part of the 'Germany outside the walls of Berlin' festival. In February 1990, Thierry Madiot played with the 'Bohème de chic' group at the French cultural centre in East Berlin. On December 13, 1990, a really European quartet was born in Berlin with the Italian from Lecco, Mauro Gnecchi.

Tracklist: 1. La Citadelle du Plaisir 2. Sur les Pavés : la Plage! 3. Opportune Aisance 4. 3, 4 ou X Dimensions? 5. Anesthésie Sociale 6. Danse Arabéenne 7. Baka Mutz 8. Le Réveil de la Cité 9. Cités de la Honte 10. Lento Amoroso 11. Landpflucht.
Musicians: Thierry Madiot (Trombone), Theo Nabicht (Saxophone), Bert Wrede (Guitar), Mauro Gnecchi (Percussions).
link

LARS LACH'N JONSSON - Songs Between Cities and Waterholes (1993, CD-Ep, Sweden)

2010-10-30T11:13:00.007+02:00

The project Songs Between… happened in 1992, as a stage tour and a recording. On stage and in studio, this became an exciting mixture of four independent characters. This was a unique co-operation between Chris Cutler (drums), Sten Sandell (keyboard, piano vocals), Lars “Lach’n” Jonsson (vocals, violin, percussion) and Niklas Billström (bass). The result was a music beyond borders and traditions; An expression between cultures, between ancient and modern forms. Chris Cutler is well known from his work with Fred Frith, Henry Cow, Pere Ubu, and many others. Sten Sandells music is heard on other Bauta albums. Lach’n Jonsson is also heard on many other Bauta releases. Niklas Billström has worked with different improvisation- and jazzgroups in Stockholm. The four songs on this cd-Ep are parts of live material and studiomaterial, edited and mixed at 'The Forest' during 1993 by Lach’n Jonsson. (Bauta Records).

link, covers

FORGAS BAND PHENOMENA - Extra-Lucide (1999, CD, France)

2010-10-23T18:10:00.007+02:00

Tracks List:
1. Extra-Lucide (7:07) 2. Rebirth (5:27) 3. Pieuvre à la pluie (19:26) 4. Annie réglisse (8:38) 5. Villa Carmen (4:58).
Line-up:
Patrick Forgas (drums), Mathias Desmier (guitar), Gilles Pausanias (keyboards), Juan-Sébastien Jimenez (bass), Denis Guivarc'h (saxophone), Mireille Bauer (vibraphone, marimba).
part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5.

YUGEN - Iridule (2010, CD, Italy)

2010-10-10T16:59:00.004+02:00

"Iridule pushes on the most abstract language derived from the avant-garde music of the Twentieth century (Ligeti, Xenakis, Nancarrow), but also on a typically rock rhythmical drive, thanks to a more aggressive drum-and-bass section and to heavier and multi-faceted sound, on the edge between Henry Cow, King Crimson and Frank Zappa, with the further novelty of the voice. You won’t miss, as in Labirinto d’acqua, great dynamical ranges, a scrupulous tymbrical research, an even more articulated and stratified rhythmical detail. Important guests as Elaine Di Falco, Dave Willey, Mike Johnson, Dave Kerman (practically speaking, the whole of Thinking Plague!), Guy Segers (Univers Zero), Michele Epifani (Areknames) and others make a kaleidoscopic and astonishing album."
listen now!

MAMMA NON PIANGERE - N.1 (Musica bestiame e benessere) (1979, LP, Italy) re-up

2009-11-28T19:52:00.004+01:00

Tracklist:
1. Armonia E Gelosia (3:32) 2. Il Bambino Luigino (4:09) 3. Lasciati Baciare (4:00) 4. Catarro Cosmico (9:59) 5. Osvaldo (7:00) 6. L'Aperta Verita (4:14) 7. Mamma Non Piangere (9:17) 8. Ballatelo Questo Ritmo (1:57)
Musicians:
Lorenzo Leddi (Guitars, mandolin, violin, vocals), Maurizio Bezzi (Saxophone), Sonia Milan (Vocals, guitar, bass, glockenspiel, mandolin), Nicola Scarano (Drums, percussion, guitar, bass).
original post
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MAMMA NON PIANGERE - N.2 (Sempre avanti a testa bassa) (1980, LP, Italy) re-up

2009-11-28T18:51:00.008+01:00

Tracklist:
My Sharona (1:06) 2. Un cactus nel bidè (5:37) 3. Gemini tre (6:11) 4. L'ora esatta (3:52) 5. Gloria (gloria al signore) (3:13) 6. La fuga al polo (6:31) 7. E' utile la gelosia (6:30) 8. Il valzer del buon umore (2:43) 9. La ruota su di sè (2:28).
Musicians:
Lorenzo Leddi (Guitars, mandolin, violin, keyboards, vocals), Giorgia Marzano (Vocals, sax), Roberto Meroni (Sax, clarinet), Luca Perreca (Bass, cello), Giorgio Battaglia (Drums, percussion).

original post

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MAGMA "Ëmëhntëhtt-Ré" (2009, France)

2009-11-23T22:05:00.005+01:00

The new great album!
Tracklist: 1. Ëmëhntëhtt-Ré I (6:53) 2. Ëmëhntëhtt-Ré II (22:25) 3. Ëmëhntëhtt-Ré III (13:06)4. Ëmëhntëhtt-Ré IV (3:54) 5. Funëhrarïum Kahnt (4:19) 6. Sêhë (0:27).
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EIDER STELLAIRE - Eider Stellaire (1981, LP, France)

2009-11-14T18:14:00.012+01:00

Eider Stellaire was founded in 1980 by drummer Michel Le Bars which played in Offering. The group had a previous incarnation under the name of Astarte, in which were 3 members of Eider's lineup - Michel Le Bars (drums), Patrick Sinergy (bass) and Jean-Claude Delachat (guitar). This lineup existed for 3 years. They separated in the beginning of 1980 and reformed at the end of that year as Eider Stellaire with several new members. Pierre-Gerard Hirne (piano, organ) was able to perform on piano the new musical ideas they wanted to develop. Veronique Perrault joined in as a vocalist. This line up along with Marrie-Anne Boda (flute, vocals) and Michel Moindre (saxophone) as guests, recorded their first and excellent self titled album. This album had the sound they were after but several more lineup changes occurred. Pierre Minvielle entered as the keyboards player, Ann Stewart (Shub Niggurath) became the vocalist, Frank Coulaud joined forces with Le Bars as percussionist and finally Marie-Anne Le Bars played the flute. This lineup recorded the second album released in 1986 and also named Eider Stellaire (therefore it is referred to as Eider II). Though perceived as more accessible than the first one, those two albums define the unique sound of Elder Stellaire: The Zeuhl influence from Magma (prominent bass and drums parts) spiced up with fierceness, only not as theatrical and somewhat similar to Eskaton's approach, and with a generous amount of jazz-rock. They recorded their third and last album called Eider III in 1987. Their albums have not yet been released on CD and the vinyl records are hard to come by and expensive. The first two albums are highly recommended for Zeuhl fans, especially those into Eskaton. (progarchives) Tracklist: 1. Onde (8:35) 2. Arctis 6 Ephemeride (7:07) 3. Legende (5:48) 4. Tetra (6:34) 5. Nihil (7:35) Line-up/ Musicians: Patrick Singery (bass), Jean Clude Delachat (guitar), Pierre Gerard-Hirne (piano, organ), Michel LeBards (drums), Veronique Perrault (vocals), Marie-Anne Boda (flute, vocals), Michel Moindre (saxophone track 4). Link removed by request

EIDER STELLAIRE - II (1986, LP, France)

2009-11-14T18:11:00.015+01:00

Tracklist: 1. Ring (5:08) 2. Aretis (6:15) 3. Knowa riviere de lune (0:34) 4. Fferlyit (7:14) 5. Célébration de l'eau (5:07) 6. Retour des champs (3:28) Line-up/ Musicians: Michel Le Bars (drums), Patrick Sinergy (bass), Jean-Claude Delachat (guitars), Frank Coulaud (percussion), Pierre Minevielle (synthesizer), Ann Stewart (vocals), Marie-Anne Le Bars (flute). Link removed by request

EIDER STELLAIRE - III (1987, LP, France)

2009-11-14T18:08:00.011+01:00

Tracklist: 1. Nihil (10:23) 2. L'encre des litanies (10:23) 3. Sans repose (9:42) Line-up/ Musicians: Isabelle Nuffer (piano), Franck Coulard (electric piano), Michel Le Bars (drums), Jean-Claude Delachat (guitar), Patrick Singery (bass). Link removed by request

EIDER STELLAIRE - IV (1988, Unreleased album)

2009-11-14T18:02:00.009+01:00

Link removed by request

KAIPA - THE DECCA YEARS 1975-1978

2009-11-07T11:53:00.020+01:00

Boxset released in 2005, 5 CD included the 3 Decca albums and 2 CDs with unreleased Material/ Limited Edition 3000 copies.

CD1: "Kaipa"

1. Musiken är ljuset (7:04) 2. Saker har två sidor (4:34) 3. Ankaret (8:40) 4. Skogspromenad (3:40) 5. Allting har en början (3:12) 6. Se var morgon gry (8:53) 7. Förlorad i Istanbul (2:24) 8. Oceaner föder liv (9:28) Bonus tracks: 9. Från det ena till det andra (2:49) 10. Karavan (2:54)

Line-up:

Ingemar Bergman / drums, percussion, vocal- Tomas Eriksson / bass, vocal- Hans Lundin / Hammond organ, Fender Rhodes electric piano, Grand piano, Yamaha SY1 Synthesizer, Harpsichord, Logan String-machine, Glockenspiel, lead vocal- Roine Stolt / electric and acoustic guitars, vocal.

CD2: "Inget nytt uner solen"

1. Skenet bedrar (21:41) a) Uppvaknandet 2:43 b) Bitterheten 3:10 c) Hoppfullheten 4:44 d) Överheten 8:12 e) Vilseledd 2:52 2. Ömsom sken (3:17) 3. Korståg (5:19) 4. Stengrodornas parad (0:56) 5. Dagens port (2:34) 6. Inget nytt under solen (6:10) Bonus tracks: 7. Awakening/Bitterness (6:10) 8. How might I say out clearly (3:38) 9. The gate of day (2:26) 10. Blow hard all tradewinds (6:18)

Line-up:

Ingemar Bergman / drums, temple blocks, rattle & vocals- Tomas Eriksson / bass, synth-bass & voice of the Almighty- Hans Lundin / Hammond organ, Grand piano, Fender Rhodes electric piano, Mellotron, Yamaha & Korg synthesizers, Logan string machine, Hohner Clavinet, vibes, marimba, prepared piano & lead vocal- Roine Stolt / electric guitar, 6 and 12-string acoustic guitar and rattle- Lars Hoflund / lead vocal on tracks 7, 9 & 10.

CD3: "Solo"

1. Den skrattande grevinnan (4:46) 2. Sen repris (3:22) 3. Flytet (2:46) 4. Anar dig (4:05) 5. Frog funk (3:35) 6. Visan i sommaren (3:35) 7. Tajgan (3:25) 8. Respektera min värld (6:16) 9. En igelkotts död (3:40) 10. Total förvirring (7:25)11. Sist på plan (7:38)
Line-up:

Ingemar Bergman / drums, percussion, laughing- Mats Lindberg / bass, Moog Taurus pedals, percussion- Hans Lundin / Hammond organ, Fender Rhodes electric piano, grand piano, Mellotron, Mini and polymoog synths, Korg String 2000, Hohner Clavinet, vocal - Mats Löfgren / lead vocal, percussionRoine Stolt: 6 and 12-string electric guitars, acoustic guitars, guitar-synthesizer, percussion, vocal.

CD 4: "Kaipa live"
1. Total förvirring (8:42) 2. Skenet bedrar (16:29) 3. Visan i sommaren (3:23) 4. En igelkotts död/Ömsom sken (4:35) 5. Inget nytt under solen (8:02) 6. Copenhagen House-jam (5:48) 7. Flytet (2:54) 8. Musiken är ljuset (7:30) 9. Se var morgon gry (9:13) 10. Noice-village-stone-frog (5:49) 11. Oceaner föder liv (End part) (7:05)
Track 1-7 recorded at "Huset" Copenhagen Denmark 78.05.25Track 8-9 recorded at "Östanåskolan" Eksjö Sweden 76.03.02 Track 10 recorded at "Bullerbyn" Stockholm Sweden 77.04.07 Track 11 recorded at "Stenungsundsgymnasiet" Stenungsund Sweden 77.04.27

Line-up:

Track 1-7 recorded at "Huset" Copenhagen Denmark 78.05.25- Ingemar Bergman / drums- Mats Lindberg / bass, 12-string electric guitar, Moog Taurus pedals- Hans Lundin / Fender Rhodes, Minimoog, Crumar organ, Korg String 2000, vocal- Mats Löfgren / vocal, electric guitar, percussion, glockenspiel- Roine Stolt / electric guitar

Track 8-9 recorded at "Östanåskolan" Eksjö Sweden 76.03.02 Track 10 recorded at "Bullerbyn" Stockholm Sweden 77.04.07 Track 11 recorded at "Stenungsundsgymnasiet" Stenungsund Sweden 77.04.27 - Ingemar Bergman / drums, vocal- Tomas Eriksson / bass, vocal- Hans Lundin / Hammond organ, Fender Rhodes, Yamaha SY synthesizer, Logan string-machine, vocal- Roine Stolt / electric guitar, Talk-box.

CD 5: "1974 Unedited Master Demo Recording"

1. Saker har två sidor (6:44) 2. Under stora gröna träd (3:01) 3. På färd (12:32) 4. Taktus (3:47) 5. Folke 2 (1:38) 6. Allting har sin början genom solen (5:07) 7. Cirrus (1:07) 8. Akrobaternas flykt (5:50) 9. Akrobaternas dans (2:31) (Homage to Samla Mammas Manna) 10. Nattens affär (4:06) 11. Karavan (2:51)

Line-up:

Ingemar Bergman / drums & vocal- Tomas Eriksson / bass & vocal- Hans Lundin / Hammond organ, Wurlitzer electric piano, Davoli synthesizer & vocal- Roine Stolt / electric guitar & vocal.

Artwork

Wobbler - Afterglow (2009, Norway)

2009-08-24T18:49:00.009+02:00

Retro-styled symphonic progressive rock in the classic style of Yes, Genesis, Gentle Giant, ELP, Gryphon, PFM and King Crimson, brimming with mellotrons, minimoog and with an authentic 70's style production. First album sold 10.000 copies, played Nearfest 2005 and most other major prog festivals around the world. Band features members of White Willow, Jaga Jazzist, Xploding Plastix and Shining. Debut album made most "prog album of 2005" lists, and got rave reviews. "Afterglow" is definitely one of the most anticipated prog releases of 2009.
link

Itibere Orquestra Familia - Pedra do Espia (2001, Brazil)

2009-08-24T18:11:00.010+02:00

Violins, viola, cello, piano, melodica, flutes, sax, trombone, cavaquinho, mandolin, electric bass, drums, percussion, and voice all blend together in this non-conventional orchestra. The group doesn't use scores nor Itiberê the traditional baton - music parts are written after they are learned, and serve only as a record - the musicians play by heart. Breaking through the boundaries that separate popular and classical music, Itiberê Orquestra Família's music features universality, the greatest asset of "Escola Jabour", by Hermeto Pascoal.
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Patrizio Fariselli project - Lupi sintetici e strumenti a gas (2001, Italy)

2009-08-18T18:57:00.013+02:00

Tracklist: 1. Pangea 2. Lupi sintetici e strumenti a gas 3. Risonanze 4. I dadi di dio 5. Signora dei viaggi 6. Felice lichene 7. Acufeni 8. 7 Bells 9. Refoli 10. Luglio agosto settembre (nero) 11. Non tira un filo d'aria 12.[13] Ah!

Personnel: Angela Baggi (voce) Giovanni Giorgi (batteria) Marco Micheli (basso elettrico e contrabbasso)Roberto Cecchetto (chitarra) Rolando Cavasassi (batteria in Felice Lichene, Signora dei viaggi e Acufeni) Massimo Manzi (batteria in Refoli) Federico Sanesi (percussioni in Refoli e 7 bells) Rocco Zifarelli (mand-oud in Pangea) Marino Paire (vocals in Pangea e Felice Lichene) TI-SHA-MAN-NAH saxophone quartet (Fabio Petretti, Stefano Fariselli, Gianluca Mattei, Carlo Fabbri, sassofoni in Luglio agosto settembre nero e Non tira un filo d'aria) Amanita Lozano (sassofono soprano in Non tira un filo d'aria) Francesco Moneti, Franco D'Aniello, Alberto Cottica dei Modena City Ramblers (violino, flauto e fisarmonica in Pangea) Roberto "Freak" Antoni (voce in Felice Lichene)

Miguel Rios - Al-Andalus (1977, Spain)

2009-08-18T17:38:00.007+02:00

Tracklist: 1. Al-Andalus (4:56) 2.Azahara (8:40) 3.Un dia en Mojacar - Parte 1 "Con Chipo" - Parte 2 "La muerte verde" (5:54) 4.Balada de la alondra y el gavilan (6:37) 5.El cinco a las cinco (3:13) 6.Guadalquivir (4:44) 7.La blanca oscuridad (4:07)

Band: Miguel Rios: Voz, Luis Fornes: Teclados y arreglos de cuerda, Cesar Fornes: Guitarra, Tito Herrero: Bateria, Tony Aguilar: Bajo, Kamel Missaghian: Percusion, Jorge Pardo: Flauta, Andres Olaegui: Guitarras, Alvaro Yebenes: Bajo, Samia y Sabef: voces tipicas, Luis Cobo "Manglis": Guitarra en el tema (6) "Guadalquivir", Raquel (voces)

Il Berlione - In 453 minutes Infernal Cooking (1994, Japan)

2009-08-18T17:30:00.011+02:00

Tracklist: 1. 453分間料理地獄 (正常位) - 453-punkan Ryōri Jigoku (Seijōi) [In 453 minutes Infernal Cooking (Forward)] 1:41 2. 首煮込汁 - Kubi Nikomijiru [Human Head Soup] 3:21 3. 木製オーブンレンジ - Mokusei Oven Range [Wooden Oven] 4:18 4. 大仏 - Daibutsu [Giant Image of Buddha] 11:12 5. おさる日記 - Osaru Nikki [Diary of Mr. Monkey] 2:42 6. すぱいす - Spice [Tappy's Spices] 4:18 7. ノーパンああ素晴しい美人 - Nōpan Ā Subarashii Bijin [Wow! Brilliant Beauty With No Scanties] 4:19 8. なおちゃんのきぬずれ - Naochan no Kinuzure [Nao chan's Rustling] 4:18 9. フレンチドレッシング・タブー - Frenchdressing Taboo 2:27 10. ポリエチレンの木の下で-Polyethylene no Ki no Shita de [At the Foot of Polyethylene Tree] 3:08 11. 多摩川シャッフル - Tamagawa Shuffle 6:04 12. アグ - Agu [Agoo] 3:57 13. 高円寺人情酒場 - Kōenji Ninjō Sakaba [Koenji Sake Bar] 9:15 14. 天国で地獄 - Tengoku de Jigoku [One Infernal Fact in Paradise] 6:59 15. 453分間料理地獄 (後背位) - 453-punkan Ryōri Jigoku (Kōhaii) [In 453 minutes Infernal Cooking (Backward)] 1:39

Band: Naoya Idonuma, guitar; Kazuo Ogura, bass; Hirofumi Taniguchi, keyboards; Tappi Iwase, drums; Hiroo Takano, saxophone

COMBO FH - VECI (1981, CD, CZECH REPUBLIC)

2009-05-11T19:10:00.012+02:00

This post contain the complete Lp "Veci" and 2 bonus tracks (from Ep Mini jazz klub, 1976)
For more info about the complete edition see here.
CD1
1-3 EP Mini jazz klub c.
11 Panton 1976
4.-5. SP Panton 1980
6.-19. LP Veci Panton 1981
20.-23. SP Panton 1982, 1983
CD2
1.-12. LP Situace na strese Panton 1985
13. LP Rockovy maraton 1986
14.-22. unpublished recordings from Daniel Fikejz archive

TULLIO DE PISCOPO REVOLT GROUP - SOTTO E 'NCOPPA (1975, LP, ITALY)

2009-05-11T18:51:00.007+02:00

Tracklist:
1. 'O sipario (1:09) 2. Divario (2:30) 3. Rettifilo, ora di punta (4:53) 4. 'O miracolo adda' venì (3:35) 5. Tarantella po' scugnizzo (4:55) 6. Sotto e 'ncoppa (4:36) 7. 'A cozzeca (1:38) 8. 'O piscatore (6:44) 9. Porta Capuana in festa (4:00) 10. Circumvesuviana ore 7:45 (1:50) 11. Inno a Napoli ('A marcia nova) (2:20).
Personnel: Sergio Farina (Acoustic & Electric Guitar), Giorgio Baiocco (Sax, Flute, Vibraphone), Sante Palumbo (Keyboards, Fenderpiano, Moog), Gigi Cappellotto (Bass, Percussions), Tullio De Piscopo (Drums, Rototom, Congas, Armonica).

ISILDURS BANE - MIND Volume 1 (1997, CD, SWEDEN)

2009-05-01T13:27:00.009+02:00

Track Listings:
1. The flight onward - Phases 1-5 (12:05)
2. Ataraxia (3:27)

3. In a state of comprehension (4:24)
4. The pilot (5:38)

5. Unity (3:31)

6. Opportunistic walk - Phases 1-2 (15:15)

7. Holistic medicine (14:51)

8. A blank page (3:08)

Total Time: 61:39

Line-up/Musicians:
Klas Assarsson: Vibraphone, Xylophone, Bells, Chimes, Crotales, Gongs, Simmons Silicon Mallets, Timpani, Tam-Tam, Gran Cassa, Metal and Wooden Percussion, Bongos, Congas, Djembe, Dombak, Triangle and Tubular bells.

Jonas Christophs: Rhythm and Lead guitarsFredrik Emilson: Acoustic, Electric and Synthesized Basses.

Joakim Gustafsson: Violin.

Mats Johansson: Analog and Digital Synthesizers, Musical Boxes, Rainmaker, Samplers and Sound Treatments.

Kjell Severinson: Drums, Bombo Leguero, Cookie Jar, Djembe, Gongs, Scrap-Iron, Sheet Copper and Sheet Metal.
link

EX VITAE - MANDARINE (1978, LP, FRANCE)

2009-04-15T20:33:00.009+02:00

Self-released.

Personnel: Jean Lars (Bass Guitar), Marc Millon (Drums, Percussion, Vibraphone), Jaen-Michel Philippe (Electric & Acoustic Guitar), Jacques Lars (Electric Guitar) René-Marc Bini (Keyboards), Jean-Loup Marlaud (Saxophone Alto/Tenor, Clarinet Bass, Flute), Alain Labarsouque (Violin)

Tracklisting:
A1 Vive-Versa (6:15)
A2 Saxophonie (15:25)
B1 Gavarnie (10:28)
B2 Mandarine (9:42)

TIM HODGKINSON/DAGMAR KRAUSE - STOP MORTAL (1995, LIVE, ITALY)

2009-04-01T19:51:00.003+02:00

Stop Mortal, 1995, for voice, piano, violin, cello and sampler, commissioned by Musique Action Vandoeuvre, and performed at Cantiere Internazionale d'Arte di Montepulciano, Queen Elizabeth Hall London, Musique Action Vandoeuvre, Konfrontationen Festival Nickelsdorf, Nordlyd Festival, Trondheim & Bergen Ny Musikk.
With Dagmar Krause, Nicolas Hodges, Charles Mutter, Zoe Martlew, James Clapperton.
link

HOWEVER - SUDDEN DUSK (1981, CD, USA)

2009-04-01T19:20:00.008+02:00

Tracklist: 1. It's Good Fun 3:41 2. Hardt 2:18 3. In The Aisles 2:13 4. Louise Sitting In A Chair 4:17 5. Beese 7:08 6. Sudden Dusk 3:59 7. Lamplight 3:14 8. Grandfather Was The Driver 3:20 9. Trees For The Forest 6:33 10. In The Midst Of Making 5:18 11. No Cows 7:05.
Great prog, one of my favorites!!!
link

GEORGE GRUNTZ PIANO CONCLAVE - PALAIS ANTHOLOGY (1975, LP, GERMANY)

2009-03-28T14:02:00.006+01:00

Second and rarest album by this George Gruntz led octet that includes six keyboardists over a rhythm section and has the slow cosmic breakbeat gem "Hal-Lucy-'n-o'-One Step" with killer drumbreaks courtesy of Alphonse Mouzon. Solid album and a prime slice of progressive funky Euro jazz.
Track list:
1. Rumba Orgiastica 2. English Moxplott 3. Hymny Shimmy 4. Hal-Lucy-N-O-One-Step 5. Zookie Cookie 6. Lookie Pookie 7. Tango Teclado 8. Titty-Chickie-Fitterbug 9. Shoo-Fly-Shuffle 10. Charles Stone and Quickflip
Personnel: Gordon Beck: Fender Rhodes, Grand Piano, Human Voice; Wolfgang Dauner: Fender Rhodes, Clavinet, Synthesizer, Grand Piano, Organ; George Gruntz: Fender Rhodes, Grand Piano, Synthesizer; Joachim Kuhn: Fender Rhodes, Grand Piano; Martial Solal: Grand Piano; Jasper Van't Hof: Keyboards; John Lee: Bass; Alphonse Mouzon: Drums.
link

DARDOS AWARDS

2009-03-13T18:24:00.012+01:00

Centraldoprog has been nominated by the blog rarities89876 for the Dardos Awards .
The Dardos Award is given for recognition of cultural, ethical, literary, and personal values transmitted in the form of creative and original writing. These stamps were created with the intention of promoting fraternization between bloggers, a way of showing affection and gratitude for work that adds value to the Web.
Thank's for this acknowledgment!

MAGISTER DIXIT - CELLULE DE CRISE (2006, FRANCE)

2009-03-12T19:21:00.009+01:00

Great french prog/zeuhl band!!
Demo recorded in 2006, no more info...
Magister Dixit are: Stephane Marcaillou (Guitare, Chant, Textes et Compositions), Mélanie Fossier (Chant), Sophie Perret (Piano, Chant), Bita Rezvannia-picot (Violon), Chant Jean-Pierre Albert (Batterie), Stephan Garcia (Basse)
Tracklist: 1.Endless 2.Les potits archers 3.De Profundis (part 2) 4. De Profundis (part 3) 5. La merveille
link

BANCO DEL MUTUO SOCCORSO - GAROFANO ROSSO (1976, CD, ITALY)

2009-03-11T18:49:00.006+01:00

Instrumental soundtrack for film of the same name. A masterpiece!!
Track List: 1. Zobeida (2:40) 2. Funerale (4:28) 3. 10 Giugno 1924 (4:28) 4. Quasi Saltarello (1:38) 5. Esterno Notte (Casa di Giovanna) (3:15) 6. Garofano Rosso (5:02) 7. Suggestioni Di Un Ritorno In Campagna (7:38) 8. Passeggiata In Bicicletta E Corteo Dei Dimostranti (2:53) 9. Tema Di Giovanna (2:35) 10. Siracusa: Appunti D'Epoca (2:12) 11. Notturno Breve (2:20) 12. Lasciando La Casa Antica (2:35) Total Time: 41:40

link

MIKE KENEALLY - BOIL THAT DUST SPECK (1994, USA, CD)

2009-03-11T14:05:00.003+01:00

Mike on 1994's BTDS: "This was an album I very much needed to make-- an album wrenched out of my darkest depths while in the throes of an exciting variety of emotional torment, this album is a lot less goofy than hat." The result has been heralded as a masterpiece by critics and fans. Its songs have been a major part of Mike's live sets for years and head-ripping live versions are featured his 2006 Guitar Therapy Live release. BTDS has been unavailable for eons, and collectors have paid exhorbitant prices for it.
Tracklist: 1.Sooth 2.'Cause Of Breakfast 3.The Desired Effect 4.Skunk 5.I'm Glad There's Lemon-Freshened Thorax In You 6.Top Of Stove Melting 7.Aglow 8.Bryan Beller's Favorite Song 9.Deep-Fried Skinks Are Go! 10.Good Morning, Sometime 11.Them Dolphins Is Smart 12.1988 Was A Million Years Ago 13.Yep, Them Dolphins Is Smart, Alright 14.Bullys (sic) 15.My Dilemma 16.Helen Was Brash 17.Weekend 18.Land Of Broken Dreams 19.Blameless (The Floating Face) 20.That Claim-Jumping Swine, O'Bannon 21.Faithful Axe 22.Natty Trousers 23.Scotch 24.There Have Been Bad Moments 25.Frang Tang, The Valentine Bear 26.I Will 27.In The Bone World 28.The Old Boat Guy, Part One 29.The Old Boat Guy, Part Two 30.The Old Boat Guy, Part Three.
link

MASTER CYLINDER - ELSEWHERE (1980, LP, USA)

2009-03-07T15:06:00.009+01:00

Hard-to-find but good jazz rock with a Canterbury flair at times from this Texas-based group. Lineup includes keys, guitar, bass, and drums, but various guest play woodwind and brass instruments, and there’s even a Serge modular keyboardist! A promo writeup states: “The music of Master Cylinder is a smooth blend of everything from tight ensemble composition to totally free improvisation; complex layers of polyrhythms to surging waves of pure sound; sections and bits of compostion surfacing from the flow and then redissolving".
"On the usually soulless Inner City label, Master Cylinder was anything but that. Their album has a strong melodic sense, and it seems the group must've been informed by the Canterbury groups like early Soft Machine or National Health, as well as the DC based Happy the Man. While ostensibly a jazz album, it's these rock elements that bring Master Cylinder to the next level. A very good album that time has forgot".(Thomashayes)
tracklist:
1. Overture 2. Isabelle 3. Elsewhere 4. Silhouette 5. Blasp 1937 6. Pllus 3 7.Hobb & Gebb
link

CARDIACS - MR. AND MRS. SMITH AND MR. DRAKE (1984, TAPE, ENGLAND)

2009-03-07T14:52:00.014+01:00

This is an album performed by a side project of Cardiacs, created by Tim Smith, Sarah Smith and William D. Drake. They later named the project The Sea Nymphs.

link

GRAMIGNA - GRAN DISORDINE SOTTO IL CIELO (1977, LP, ITA)

2009-03-07T14:41:00.010+01:00

This largely unknown group from northern Italy has only released an album, but this can be a nice surprise to anyone into the Canterbury/Rock In Opposition sound, that only had good releases in Italy by STORMY SIX and PICCHIO DAL POZZO.Their ten-track concept album "Gran disordine sotto il cielo" has strong similarities with the english group HENRY COW in the use of the female voice of Françoise Godard and such instruments as bassoon, oboe and violin. An interesting album indeed, this deserves to be heard.
Tracklist:
1. Per 2. Alice nel pozzo 3. Alice e le regine 4. Alice oltre lo specchio 5. Piccole voci 6. Ombre rosse 7. Per il bene della patria 8. È una notte 9. Arrivano i barbari 10. Tarantola
link

RITUAL - THE HEMULIC VOLUNTARY BAND (2007, SWEDEN, CD)

2009-03-07T14:33:00.008+01:00

Great prog from Sweden, similar to Gentle Giant.
tracklist:
1. The Hemulic Voluntary Band 2. In The Wild 3. Late In November 4. The Groke 5. Waiting By The Bridge 6. A Dangerous Journey
link

THE GHOULIES - DOGGED BY DOGMA

2009-03-06T20:59:00.000+01:00

new link!

NICHELODEON - CINEMANEMICO (ITALY)

2009-03-06T10:45:00.001+01:00

Claudio Milano, an italian friend of this blog writes to me for promote his project:
Nichelodeon is an insane alternative to entertainment. It's a music project oblique and visionary, tainted by different kinds of music and arts. It was born in 2007 thanks to Claudio Milano, a songwriter for theatre productions, Francesco Zago and Maurizio Fasoli, electric guitar and piano with the band Yugen and Riccardo Di Paola, an avant/jazz player (synth). The new cd live "Cinemanemico" (2008 Progawards nomination as Best Debut Record) was recorded in the late 2007 after a series of successful live exhibitions. It features tracks written within ten years, played by different ensembles in shows in Italy, Holland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Czech Republic and Russia (Moscow, First Biennale of Contemporary Arts, January 2005) . In the performance "The room plays what I cannot see”, the quartet takes part actively with readings from Pellegrino Artusi's "The science of Cookery and the Art of Eating Well” (1891), videoinstallations by the director Marco Rossi and Enrico Maria Brocchetta, sculptures by "letestedimary", scenographies and fleeting theatrical creations by Manuela Tadini, referring to the 20th Century Avant/Gard movements. On June 2008, among the winners of the XII "Omaggio a Demetrio Stratos" review, the Nichelodeon were guests, with Albert Hera and Giovanni Cospito, of the "Factory Art" project, dedicated to John Cage's figure and work. On November 2008, Luca Olivieri (synth, programming, glockenspiel), composer for theatre productions and member of the italian art/folk band Yo Yo Mundi join the project.
myspace
album online

HENRY COW - THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY BOX-SET

2009-02-10T23:01:00.003+01:00

ARRIVED!!!!!!!!!

ARRIGO BARNABE' - A saga de Clara Crocodilo (1999, CD, BRAZIL)

2009-01-24T11:25:00.009+01:00

Arrigo Barnabé (September 14, 1951, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil), is a Brazilian musician and an actor. His music is best known for having a heavily experimental approach, in which the author uses dodecaphonism and atonalism as main principles of composition.

Discography
1980 - Clara Crocodilo
1984 - Tubarões Voadores
1986 - Cidade Oculta (trilha sonora)
1987 - Suspeito
1992 - Façanhas
1998 - Gigante Negão
1999 - A Saga de Clara Crocodilo
2004 - Coletânea 25 Anos de Clara Crocodilo (Includes: Clara Crocodilo, Tubarões Voadores, Gigante Negão, A Saga De Clara Crocodilo e Uma Suíte A Quatro Mãos)
2004 - Missa In Memorian Arthur Bispo do Rosário
2007 - Missa In Memorian Itamar Assumpção
2008 - Ao Vivo, em Porto

Tracklist:
1. Aventuras em um drive-in, 2. A procura do orgasmo total, 3. Num antro sujo, 4. Meninas diferentes, 5. No cemetério, 6 I. As desventuras de um office-boy, 7 II. O monstro, 8 III. Quem cala consente, 9 IV. Labirinto, 10 V. Onde andarà Clara Crocodilo?

Arrigo Barnabé no Festival Universitário da MPB (1979)

Arrigo Barnabé no Festival Universitário da MPB - parte 2

YUGEN PLAYS LEDDI - Uova fatali (2008, ITA, CD)

2008-12-17T19:11:00.006+01:00

[…]. If the austerity of Labirinto d’acqua (2006) alluded to that legacy, with Uova fatali the claim is explicit: a project devoted to a music both unique and off the market, not very prone to cliché and to the passivity of a careless audience; an investment that – as Leddi says – does not yield money but only happiness, a generous act of musicians dragged into the studio only by their passion for this particular music and for the one who has kept it in the drawer for such a long time. From the extremely rich Leddian catalog, Zago, Marinone and Yugen pick their orchestral favorites: all instrumental, children of a clear inspiration, complex without being self-gratifying. These are notes that demand attention, cause thinking, rediscover the taste for perspective and experience, persuaded that this is only way for the work to reveal. Irony and fun are there too, in the titles, so little prog (can we mention Mattarello without a smile?), and in the music, impassively lavish with fake tarantas and masked waltzes, danceable algorithms and «Japanese mazurkas». […]Leddi serves the cause waving not the Conductor baton but a rather anachronistic mandolin, of which Yugen will hardly want to do without and that in Sviluppi goes back to breathe a family air, because of the many Stormy Six frames from Megafono, Carmine, Barbiere, Picnic. A red thread detectable also in the illustrations of Piero Leddi, maker of covers for that band and here instigating the hens (peaceful?) invasion of piazza Duomo. [dalle note di copertina di Alessandro Achilli e Paolo Chang per Yugen plays Leddi – Uova fatali] Guests: Michele Epifani (Areknames), Mario Arcari (De Andrè, Fossati, Ensemble Havadià…), Alberto Morelli (Dissoi Logoi, F.De Andrè, Paolo Fresu, Uncode Duello) and many others...
YUGEN MySPace

ALTROCK PRODUCTION WebSite

Yugen live at "2008 Altrock Festival - Italy": Catacresi 5, Escher 2

BUY THIS CD!!!

2008-10-05T10:46:00.001+02:00

I'm tired
a big work for little comments...

MAURICIO KAGEL

2008-09-20T19:36:00.001+02:00

Remembering Mauricio Kagel
The death of the avant-garde composer-cum-teacher robs music of a truly inspirational figure
Mauricio Kagel's death yesterday, at the age of 76, is a huge blow for contemporary music. First of all, there's the shock of the news – Kagel was hugely active as composer, teacher, and inspirational figurehead for generations of musicians, and he was due to take part in a major retrospective of his music in Frankfurt this weekend – and then there's the knowledge that music has lost one of its most important and ironic consciences. Growing up in Argentina, where he studied with Borges, he moved to Cologne in 1957, and spent the rest of his life in Germany. He was both an essential part of the avant-garde and a knight's move away from it, both in terms of his identity and his compositional priorities. But it's precisely that lateral gaze on the conventions of music, theatre, film, and politics that gives Kagel's music its lasting power and ability to communicate. He had a reputation as musical humorist and absurdist in the 1950s and 60s, in pieces like Match, scored for two cellists and a percussionist-cum-referee who polices their musical battle, or Antithese, a piece he filmed in which a studio technician fights a losing battle with the mechanics of the music technology, ending up mummified by a nightmarish web of magnetic tape. But there's more than parody going on his music, whether of the serial techniques of Stockhausen or Boulez, or of the monuments of classical music history, paradigmatically in his film, Ludwig Van, his scurrilous contribution to Beethoven's double centenary in 1970. Even a piece like Staatstheater (1971) is more than what it seems: on one hand, this is a blowing up of operatic institutions and conventions, of a kind that Boulez never attempted; but it's also a hugely ambitious piece of musical and instrumental theatre. That's the point about nearly all of Kagel's music: the way it investigates the site of musical performance, exposing the social and political dimensions that are latent in any performance context, whether it's in Eine Brise, Kagel's outdoor performance piece for 111 bicyclists, or the music-historical anachronisms of his Music for Renaissance Instruments. In later years, Kagel seemed to sublimate his explicitly absurdist concerns in pieces like the Double-Sextet or the Orchestral Etudes. But even these apparently abstract pieces interrogate similar territory, taking apart the ideals of 'pure' instrumental music from the inside. Perhaps the masterpiece of his last couple of decades is his cycle for large ensemble, The Compass Rose, eight profound and playful pieces that take the points of the compass as their inspiration: a comment on exoticism, cultural appropriation, and sonic geography – and great fun in performance. I remember percussionist David Hockings scything into a log, showering the London Sinfonietta at the end of a performance of the whole cycle at the Queen Elizabeth Hall. Kagel gave the Aldeburgh Festival an invigorating dose of his energy in 2003, when he was composer in residence, even if some of his later music seemed almost wilfully dense and abstruse. Kagel's creativity is not at the centre of 20th- or 21st-century music - indeed, his output is as much a commentary on the ideals and ideologies of music history as a self-conscious contribution to the canon - but that's exactly why he should be essential listening for anybody interested in new music.
(http://www.guardian/)
Thank you Mauricio for your great music!
.... R.I.P.....

CARTOON-BIGORNA (2003, CD, BRAZIL)

2008-09-15T19:30:00.009+02:00

This is the second album from this great band. "Bigorna" (subtitled 'The Real History of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table') is a concept album, a spoof on the legend of King Arthur. Very irreverently, the band plays fast and furious, showing flashes of ZAPPA, Alex Harvey, The Beatles, The Beach Boys and Splitz Enz all mixed together, yet they manage to add the usual prog fare of Yes and Genesis. This CD comes with a comic book, written in Portuguese.
Official website
Tracklist:
1. Prologue (3:29)2. From The Hands Of God (3:48)3. Knight’s Nightmare (6:37)4. King’s Song (3:38)5. King’s Fugue (1:49)6. She Smiled (3:43)7. Guinevere (5:41)8. Marriage (2:17)9. Show Me Where Love Lives (2:33)10. Lily Fears (1:31)11. The Warning (5:51)12. March Of Despair - A) She’s Coming B) Cool Down Emily Whith C) Song Of Despair (4:52)13. Apocalypstic Man (3:56)14. Alberich’s Blues (3:00)15. Letter To Marion (5:17)16. In The Gates Of Hell (1:07)17. The Last Battle (9:29)18. The Great Gates Of Freedom (4:35)
here

FIRYUZA-S/T (1982, LP, TURKMENISTAN)

2008-09-15T19:18:00.009+02:00

Fantastic and ultra-rare Lp from Turkmenistan.
This is great music, very complex and beautiful compositions in a perfect progressive/jazz-rock stile.
Tracklist:
1. Ashkhabad 2. Native Land 3. Chapyksuar 4. Dialog in Aul.
here

NOUVELLES ETHNOLOGIQUES DE L'OBSCUR MUSEUM-NEO MUSEUM VOLUME 1 (1985, LP, FRANCE)

2008-09-15T18:59:00.011+02:00

Another great obscure french progressive/R.I.O. group.
Tracklist: 1 Une sidérurgie no.4 / 2 Une sidérurgie no.1 / 3 Une sidérurgie no.5 / 4 Erreur d’errance song / 5 Premier élément / 6 Eléments de paraphrase / 7 Rahcuoba pro afghanIntervenants
Credits: Alain CASARI Saxophone alto, Antoine GINDT Guitare, Contrebasse, Piano, Daniel KOSKOWITZ Drums, GUESTS:, Jacques VEILLE Trombone, Pascal SIEGER Saxophone sopranino, Jérôme BOURDELLON Clarinette basse, Flûte basse, Raoul BINOT Saxophone ténor. (Thank you alexei!)
Recommended!
here

THE GHOULIES-DOGGED BY DOGMA (1982, LP, ENGLAND)

2008-09-15T18:44:00.009+02:00

Great rare and obscure Canterbury group consist in the "GROUP ONE" plays on 1/3/7 tracks: Phil John (bass, backing vocals), Nigel Harris (Drums, percussion), Charlie Summers (guitars, vocal, flageolets, organ), Simon Smith (Backing vocals, organ), Spike Reptile (violin, guitar, voices), Ben Wilson (backing vocals); The "GROUP TWO" plays on reest of album are: Jake Bowie (fretless bass), Elaine Morgan (lead-backing vocals), Pip Pyle (drums), Charlie Summers (guitars, vocals), James Driscoll Junior (vocal).
Tracklist:
1.Listening To My Neighbour Singing 2.Sexist Conversation 3.Social Workers 4.Hollow Cost 5.Make Sure Your Garage Is Large Enough 6.Stabbing Cats 7.CS's 8.Look Mum No Hands (Parts 1-3) 9.A Large Lounge And Yawn
new link!

BONFIRE-GOES BANANAS (1975, CD, NETHERLAND)

2008-09-15T18:25:00.009+02:00

Very beautiful Dutch band "Bonfire" consisted of Cees Meerman (drums), Eugene den Hoed (guitars and flute), Kees den Hoed (bass and gong), and Frank Witte (Fender Rhodes, vibes, grand piano and recorders).

Complex arrangements, great feeling in a perfect Canterbury sound.
Tracklist:
1. Delirium (3:14) 2. Contrast (5:10) 3. Vuurstaal(Part 2) (3:10) 4. Chinese in Europe(Part 1) (3:17) 5. Circle (6:29) 6. The Sage of the Running Nose (18:50) a) Running Nose b) Cabaret c) Third Eye d) Cabaret Again e) Running Nose II Bonus Track: 7. Contrast (Single Version) (3:38) 8. Circle (Single Version) (2:48) 9. There's Always a Reason (Previously unrelease demo Track) (5:16) 10. Ohne Wort (Previously Unrelease demo Track) (5:14)

here

YOG SOTHOTH-S/T (1984, LP, FRANCE)

2008-09-15T11:44:00.008+02:00

The band "Yog Sothoth" included: Pascal Morrow (violin), Philippe Guillot (saxophones, flute), Jean-Yves Joron (keyboards), Pierre-Gedeon Monteil (bass) and Olivier Lechien (drums).

The music is a great mixture of avangarde jazz and chamber rock to remind me Vortex, Univers Zero and Art Zoyd.
Track list:

Side A 1.Nekrosis 2.Maint reve vesperal 3.Brule par le Phenix (impro.) Side B: 1.Fou: l'Art Noir

here

PSYNKOPAT-HAR VI NAGON SILl...(1978, LP, SWEDEN)

2008-09-15T11:26:00.010+02:00

Great rare Lp from Sweden!
Tracklist:
Side A 1. Eskapistel nr 601 (4:59) 2. 43 (4:14) 3. Love, Love Lavemang (4:59) 4. Kroppsraga (3:22) 5. Blazer - Vargen i Vilda Väster (1:18) 6. Torrboll (4:05) Side B: 1. I Peugeoten (3:46) 2. Har Vi Några Tvångstankar (2:21) 3. +39 C (5:59) 4. Har Vi Någon Basist (0:39) 5. Har Vi Någon Demokrati (5:21) 6. Fusk, Mina Viet - Congas (1:51) 7. Banal Böj (3:54)

here

RASCAL REPORTERS-HAPPY ACCIDENTS (1987, CD, USA)

2008-08-16T10:31:00.007+02:00

Happy Accidents is filled with some very addicting melodies and rhythms. The complex music(mostly RIO, and symphonic prog in nature) focuses on the interplay between keyboards(which range from cool-analog to cheesy-organ), and everything from flute to guitar. Both epics are built in the cut-and-paste style so many musical ideas are linked together to form a much larger body of work. The thing that really struck me about Happy Accidents is that the music changes every measure. There is little to no repetition, but the melodic development is so intelligent, and witty, that it boggles the mind how anyone could have come up with music this perfect. If you are a fan of Zappa, U Totem, 5uu's, Ennio Morricone, and similar then you will end up loving this music. (Reverbnation)
An extraordinary progressive duo featuring Steve Gore and Steve Kretzmer on guitars, keyboards, bass, clarinet, percussion, drums and voices. Special guests include Dave Newhouse (The Muffins) on saxes and flutes, Nick Didkovsky (Doctor Nerve) on guitar, Dave Kerman and James Grigsby (U Totem) on percussion, Guy Segers (Univers Zero) on bass and Steve Feigenbaum (Random Radar utility outfielder) on guitar. The Rascal Reporters have been making challenging music for more than a quarter century and this is their 1988 masterpiece, originally on lp, but released here with over 30 minutes of bonus material. The complexity of the compositions and ideas here will thrill and astonish fans of rehearsal intensive progressive rock. (DMG)
link
Rascal Reporters web site

POCHAKAITE MALKO-DOPPELGANGER (2006, EP, JAPAN)

2008-08-16T10:25:00.007+02:00

Background: Pochakaite Malko is a Japanese band who emerged from Tokyo in August 1996. The name they took is Bulgarian for “just a minute”. The origins of the band can be traced to the meeting of Shigekazu Kuwahara (bass) and Kazuo Ogino (keyboards) in a previous band led by Tatsuya Yoshida called Magma Copy Band in 1995. The first lineup consisted of five people but was unstable at first. The other 3 members were Youichiro Shin (drums), Sharmin (keyborad), Shiho (Bulgarian vocal). They first rehearsed for some time until their first live show in May 1997, when they also decided on the band’s name. a change in the lineup came in December 1997 when Junzo Tateiwa (drums) replaced Shin Youichiro. However shortly after that the band was in hiatus due to Ogino’s work in Ghost and Tateiwa and Kwahara forming Ton-Den-Hei (Techno-Prog rock). December 1999 sees the band’s coming back to activity and the joining of Tomohiro Ueno (keyboards) to the band. The lineup was now Tomohiro Ueno (keyboards), Kazuo Ogino (piano), Sharmin (keyborads), Shigekazu Kuwahara (bass), Junzo Tateiwa (drums). However another change occurred in 2000 when Sharmin left. You can see now how heavy a keyboards emphasis there is in their sound. An important even, according to the band, was in December 4, 2000 when they played music by Zamla Mammaz Manna, with Lars Hollmer. Up until now, they released no studio album and focused on playing live their material. In April 2001 recordings began on their first full length self-titled to be released on November 22nd, 2001. In early 2002, Tomohiro Ueno left the band. However the trio was reinforced by the addition of Akihisa Tsuboy, from KBB (electric & acoustic violin). In November 2004, their second album called Laya was released. In 2006 an EP called Doppelgänger was released. Junzo Tateiwa is active in other groups as well; for instance Spiral Tones which plays traditional Arabic and fusion music; Memories of Nada - North Indian Trad. and Trance Music; Hiromi Takemoto & Ku-lan – Hawaiian; Elephant Talk - Female Avangarde Pops; aside from that he teaches, composes and writes books. Kazuo Ogino is also a member of the band Ghost, which is listed here in PA under Pscyh/Space-Rock. Shigekazu Kuwahara who is one of the founders of PM, was also a part of Kohenji Hyakkei and Tondenhei. As was noted, Akihisa Tsuboy was in KBB. Music:Their sound is pretty wild, but not in a raw, primitive sort of way, but in that it releases a high dose of energy that rock the listeners. Influenced by two seemingly opposing styles, you can hear an influence of Zeuhl in their albums as can be heard with the bass work. This is not surprising given the two founding member’s background in the Magma Copy Band and the relation to Koenji Hyakkei. However this is not a net Zeuhl album given other heavy influences which appear in the music. There is also a notable influence of ELP sounding keyboard work, which is not surprising given the lineup as was mentioned above. Happy Family also comes to mind, with the dense and aggressive nature of the sound. At times the listener might think this is too much notes, or too loud. Therefore, do not listen to this when tired or if you want a calm album. Their albums are thrilling, a joyride, usually uplifting, emotive and dynamic; taking the best from each of those influences and fusing them together in an efficient way to create a sound of their own. The musicianship is of high proficiency and a major part of their sounding so intricate and coherent. (Progarchives)
aaaahhh!!!

CHEER ACCIDENT-SEVER ROOTS TREE DIES (1988, LP, USA)

2008-08-16T10:19:00.006+02:00

The wonderfully-named Cheer-Accident (apparently named for a category of greeting cards) are a long-standing institution on the Chicago scene, although I was unaware of their existence before hearing this album. Sever Roots, Tree Dies was their first release, and while the overused term 'avant-garde' is relevant, what I hear is a combination of '70s RIO (Henry Cow et al.), '80s King Crimson and some weirder shit, although I believe the band have grown away from their influences on subsequent albums. Although I've only given this album 3½ stars, I suspect it may get an upgrading in the future, as its hidden depths release their murky secrets; there's an awful lot going on here - far more than the average brain (especially mine) can assimilate in a single sitting.
Of the band's three members at the time, two (multi-instrumentalists Thymme Jones and Chris Block) play Mellotron, apparently borrowed from one Ted Dominick, whose sleeve credit reads "who else would have a Mellotron?" It isn't actually used until track four, the lengthy Avoid The Invisible, with what sounds like a cello line under one of the more 'normal' parts of the song, before a fantastic discordant strings part takes over. There are more cellos on Severed (the lyrics of which give the album its name), but that appears to be it.
Tracklist: 1.Fight for Innocence 2.Death & Taxes 3.Uncle Dale 4.Avoid the Invisible 5.Severed 6.Heaven 7.Black & White 8.Cutting Off My Arm So I Don't Have to Shake Hands 9.Tree Dies
(Planetmellotron)

here

MASSMIRROR LINKS

2008-08-16T09:28:00.005+02:00

All my Massmirror links are dead.....
If you have some request please write in the comments!
Some re-up:
Yugen - Labirinto d'acqua
Musica Urbana - Tatuaje
Mediabanda - Dinero y terminacion nerviosa
Circus - Movin'on
Pocket Orchestra - Knebnagauje
Orchestra Njervudarov - Con le orecchie di Eros

DECIBEL-FIAT LUX: THE COMPLETE RECORDINGS (1977-2000, 3CD BOX-SET, MEXICO)

2008-06-21T11:46:00.032+02:00

”The safest way not to be swallowed is to be unpalatable I guess.” Chris Cutler.
As a term, Rock In Opposition (RIO) is used to describe a large variety of second generation progressive rock bands and their derivations up to the present day. Originally a single concert coupled with a loose organizational spirit, RIO disintegrated rather quickly, but at the same time this epithet lingered and spread past its European roots. Arranged in March 1978 in London by Henry Cow (England) and Stormy Six (Italy), the Rock In Opposition concert at the New London Theatre additionally featured Samla Mammas Manna (Sweden), Etron Fou Leloublan (France), and Univers Zero (Belgium). Later official additions to the roster accepted Art Bears, Art Zoyd (France), and Aqsak Maboul (Belgium). According to releases at the time, and resulting from charged debates between the bands, RIO groups adhered to the following criteria:
(A) That of musical excellence. This depending on their collective evaluation of the same.(B) That of working actively outside the establishment of music business.(C) That of having a social commitment to Rock.
In practical terms, this meant collaboration in tours, distribution and manufacturing of music, cross-promotion, and general development of alternative outlets in media. Of course, someone had to go and bring up politics, which irrevocably ended the formal RIO relationship. Stormy Six, avowedly Communist as only Italians know how, accused Univers Zero of only being concerned with formalism and Samlas Mammas Manna as apolitical. Stormy Six were then labeled too populist, and after several concerts in 1979 the bands dropped the RIO label. However, the informal links made proved to last, as did the notions of management which set up such enterprises as Chris Cutler’s Recommended Records.
RIO was a survival method as much as an active statement. Early progressive rock had the support of album-oriented FM radio, major labels willing to put out side-length songs, and large audiences devoted to experimentation within the rock format. Even Henry Cow, which had begun on the Virgin label, found that by the late 1970s the music industry had degenerated so much they released their 1979 effort Western Culture on their own imprint. Mainstream progressive rock had shifted to a ghostly shell of itself, with acts like Styx and Journey assuming the mantle and herding it into large football stadiums. Prog rock, which succeeded solely on the margin in the first place, suddenly had no middle ground. While the punk movement takes credit today for introducing so-called DIY methods into music, it was partly the punk phenomenon that ended the limited taste for prog in the music industry.
For record labels, punk rock’s legacy, more than anything else, was the re-establishment of the single-oriented band as the quintessence of how to make money in music. To this day we suffer under the yoke of albums drenched with filler songs and produced by committee. Thank you Mr. McLaren, may I have another?
As a response to the cultural malaise of the time, RIO also reached backwards into musical roots that subsequently insured their limited financial success. Stockhausen, Cage, Kagel, and Boulez were drawn from, as well as the radical strains of European and American jazz. As with most avant-garde movements in the 20th century, this led to an international communion of sorts, both in and out of Europe. Bands that had existed in solitude found an idiom and, most importantly, a small market for their efforts. It was in this era that the Mexican group Decibel achieved a small amount of success and produced some stunning music.
All the studio work and some live material by this band are collected on the 3-CD Mio Records set Fiat Lux, featuring their 1979 full length El Poeta del Ruido, a track contributed to a 1982 Recommended Records quarterly LP, and several albums recorded in the 1990s by a revamped lineup. While Mexican psych rock goes back to bands such as The Spiders and Los Dug Dugs, the 1970s brought more symphonic groups like Nueva Mexico and Al Universo. Decibel were a rare exception to the prog acts of this period in Mexico, and were well versed in European groups such as Faust, Magma, Gong, and the Italian prog masters Il Balletto di Bronzo. The lineup centered around keyboardist Carlos Robledo, bassist Walter Schmidt, and percussionist Jaime Casteneda (Scmhidt and Robledo began playing together as Decibel in 1974). Three months after the original 1978 RIO festival in England, Decibel performed at a RIO festival at the National Autonomous University of Mexico in Mexico City, which can also be heard on the Fiat Lux set.
The centerpiece of this set is certainly the 1979 album El Poeta del Ruido, released in a pressing of 1,000 and distributed in the UK by Recommended in 1980. The title track is a gem, equal to any of Henry Cow’s structured pieces and in most places darker. The song includes a complex structure, odd electronic manipulations in the background, and percussion and keyboards sped up to a blindingly fast speed. Equal parts Uncle Meat and Magma, the track is brilliantly delicate in some instances, removing all the portly elements associated with their Zeuhl forebears.
Few tracks on the album share this structure, however. Several stand out as Stockhausen-inspired, with abstract loops comparable to Raymond Scott or Cluster. Others summon the more chaotic elements of Faust’s Tapes. Overall the album goes beyond many of the RIO associated records of the age, as it consistently defies expectations in both form and instrumentation. The live performances from this era are equally impressive; during one point is hard to distinguish Decibel from any good live AMM recording. Lastly, Decibel does not deserve the designation of “Chamber Rock,” a term of slander for most musicians rather than praise. Against the cold dexterity of bands like Univers Zero and Art Zoyd, Decibel stands out as engaging and provocative.
The question remains surrounding RIO: Opposition to what? Although these bands disagreed between themselves over the answer, a general idea surfaced. These bands committed themselves to existing and working outside the traditional avenues of the music industry, whether by fortune or design, with the recognition that when large amounts of money changes hands art becomes the last priority. The wide range of beliefs between these musicians - from the communist dogma of Stormy Six, the extreme leftists in Henry Cow, the Latin surrealism of Decibel, or the whimsy Zappa-styled politics of Samla Mammas Manna - all agreed on the enemy. RIO became one of the many glorious failures between art and the Left that pepper our history, a Popular Front for the post-1960s avant-garde. Importantly, this was done before our so-called information revolution, and few could imagine it taking place today, when the queue of bands willing to play ball at any costs literally stretches coast to coast. RIO confirmed that the social function of art is to a large extent determined by the artist, and when that role is relinquished, there are forces eager to fill the opening. If John Grierson was right, as art being not a mirror but a hammer, then it begs the question whether art is a weapon or a tool. Decibel and their contemporaries understood it, rightly so, as both. (By Kevan Harris)

La micro-intervista con Walter Schmidt, bassista e membro fondatore del gruppo:

AGARTHA: Potresti farci un breve resoconto del vostro percorso, parlarci delle influenze culturali e musicali, di come vi siete incontrati, dei vostri obbiettivi, e delle diverse vicende del gruppo?

SCHMIDT: Io e Carlos Robledo ci siamo incontrati in un negozio di musica nel 1974, ed avendo interessi musicali comuni decidemmo di formare un gruppo, i Decibel appunto, con Moisés Romero alla batteria. Le prime influenze contemplavano anche il rock progressivo italiano dell'epoca (PFM, balletto di Bronzo, Le Orme...), gruppi inglesi e tedeschi come gli E.L.&P., Egg, King crimson, Hatfield and the north, Robert Wyatt, Can, Faust, Amon duul II ed altri. Più tardi si unirono a noi altri musicisti, fra cui va ricordato Alejandro Sanchez al violino che arricchì il nostro background (Mahavishnu orchestra, Weather report, Miles Davis...).

AGARTHA: Credo che la vostra musica possa essere descritta sinteticamente come un crossover fra R.I.O. ed avanguardia, ben bilanciata fra composizione ed improvvisazione, concordate?SCHMIDT: Sicuramente: è una definizione che abbiamo già incontrato.

AGARTHA: Quali sono i vostri metodi compositivi?

SCHMIDT: Variano da brano a brano, passando dalle influenze della musica tradizionale alla composizione collettiva mediante improvvisazione, lasciando fluire l'ispirazione anche dall'arte concettuale, dalla musica elettronica e dall'avanguardia (loops, sintetizzatori...) AGARTHA: Come si è evoluta la vostra musica nel corso degli anni?

SCHMIDT: Di pari passo con la crescita della nostra esperienza come musicisti; per esempio Carlos e Walter hanno lavorato insieme in altri gruppi con direzioni musicali differenti, come i Size (Punk/New wave) o Casino Shanghai (Technopop).

AGARTHA: Quali sono le possibili evoluzioni future della vostra musica?

SCHMIDT: Non riesco ad immaginarmelo.

AGARTHA: Che tipo di relazione sussiste fra la vostra musica ed i dipinti di J. M. Schmill riprodotti sulle vostre copertine?

SCHMIDT: Riteniamo che i quadri di Jose Manuel Schmill abbiano in comune con la nostra musica la capacità di rivelare il lato oscuro della natura umana.

AGARTHA: Personalmente apprezziamo molto alcuni artisti messicani come Nazca o Banda elastica; esiste attualmente un movimento comune? collaborate fra voi?

SCHMIDT: No, non esiste nulla del genere. Gli altri gruppi messicani hanno scelto strade musicali che noi abbiamo già percorso: improvvisazione (Oxomaxoma), R.I.O. (J. F. Ledesma, Nazca, Culto sin nombre), elettronica (Via lactea), jazz rock (Banda elastica).

AGARTHA: Incontrate delle difficoltà nel proporre alle case discografiche la vostra musica? Potresti raccontarci come è strutturata l'attuale scena messicana (stampa, case discografiche, fans,...)?

SCHMIDT: non incontriamo difficoltà per il semplice fatto che ci autoproduciamo. Il panorama globale è simile a quello di qualsiasi altro posto, dove le regole commerciali dettano legge. I Decibel sono sempre stati estranei a questi interessi. Ovviamente tale sistema contempla stampa commerciale, TV, locali,...

AGARTHA: I prossimi progetti?

SCHMIDT: Vorremmo continuare a sperimentare in nuove direzioni; speriamo possiate sentire ancora parlar di noi; stiamo apprestando progetti differenti come i Picnic, un nuovo gruppo che affianca Carlos Robledo, Carlos Alvarado ed il sottoscritto al chitarrista Carlos Vivanco. (from Agartha.prog)

"Fortuna Virilis plus..."
(Recorded between 1992-1998)

"In Concert plus..."
(tracks 1-6 live at X-Teresa Museum, Mexico City, 2 march 2000,
tracks 7-12 Archives 1977-1979)

"El Poeta del Ruido plus..."
(Recorded between 1978-1979)

The release consists of a box of three CDs which may be sold separately, and includes many previously unreleased tracks (including the twenty-minute Safari Suit, archival material from 1977, the ReR Demo, and others), early recordings, new live material, and, of course, improved sound quality of all the previously released material. Everything is presented in a handsome box, and the CDs includes some amazing original artwork by the band.
This is DIFFICULT MUSIC!!!
...close your eyes and open your mind!

Please rate this music!!!!

The Return of Central do Prog!!

2008-06-04T21:21:00.000+02:00

Hi folks,
I'm back for a hard but enjoyable adventure.
Anyone wishing to support this blog or add some comments/request, can write or send me an e-mail (take on my complete profile)

CRY FREEDOM-VOLCANO (1976, LP, GERMANY)

2008-06-02T13:20:00.007+02:00

German private pressing of first album from 1976 by Franconian band around Rudi Madsius (pre-Streetlife), containing great complex progressive like krautrock-jazz with hammond organ, sax, English vocals, fantastic heavy drumming and great fuzz guitar, rare!
Tracklist: 01. Euthanasie-Suite (9:50) 02. Ländlich (7:50) 03. Epitaph (3:47) 04. Volcano (10:36) 05. Mambo auf Burg Eckbertstein (6:00) 06. Bayrisch Blue (2:56)
Musicians: Gerhard Billann (keyboards), Klaus Braun (drums, percussion), Klaus Kukla (bass, bells), Rudi Madsius (guitar, vocals), Didier "Sont"Urbassik (saxophones).
REQUEST! I search the other two lp's "Sunny days" (1979) and "Nobody's fool (1980); if someone have one of these album please contact-me!
here

EGBERTO GISMONTI-ACADEMIA DE DANCAS (1974, CD, BRAZIL)

2008-06-02T12:58:00.008+02:00

This is a masterpiece from Egberto Gismonti's discography. Fantastic!!
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LACRYMOSA-BUGBEAR (1983-84, CD, JAPAN)

2008-06-02T12:49:00.005+02:00

REPOST!
On the first full-length album of the Japanese band Lacrymosa, they already had developed completely their doom-ridden, avant-garde, chamber rock. With an instrumental line-up that includes violin, oboe, clarinet, saxophone and cello, it is probably no surprise that they often sound like a modern chamber music ensemble, albeit supported by a rock music rhythm section. Often the band sounds about as creepy and threatening as Univers Zero. It is not hard to imagine this music as part of a horror movie soundtrack. There are several beautiful, almost pastoral melodic sections, but usually within a few bars musical elements foreshadowing upcoming disaster or threat fill the sonic air. Lacrymosa is significantly harsher and darker in sound than the somewhat similar Japanese band Zypressen, who have a more delicate take on "chamber rock". Bugbear is a great album and recommended listening for anyone into the RIO scene or avantgarde rock. (Gnosis)

HET PANDORRA ENSEMBLE-III, DISASTER ELECTRONICS (1978, LP, HOLLAND)

2008-06-02T11:59:00.005+02:00

Het Pandorra Ensemble is an experimental group formed by Dolf Planteijdt that started around 1974 and ended in 1978. At the same time they played in the popgroup Door Mekaar.The band started with Gert Jan Blom (bass guitar), Roland Brunt (flute), Jean Eble (drums) and Dolf Planteijdt (guitar). When the band started to record an album, Brunt left, and he was replaced by Dolf's brother Wouter Planteijdt, who had just left the band Speed.After the group broke up all the musicians played in numerous bands, both as member and guest. Gert-Jan Blom played in bands like Bauer, Fay Lovski and The Beau Hunks. Wilfrid Snellens played in Black Slacks but sadly died in 1997. Dolf Planteijdt became a well known producer of punk bands, but also played in Morzelpronk. And Wouter Planteijdt was a member of (a.o.) Corry & De Grote Brokken, Morzelpronk, Sjardin's Terrible Surprise and Sjako!. He also appears on the album "A view from the valley" (1985) by Grin.
Tracklist: 1.Door mekaar (D. Planteijdt) [10:07] 2.Kanon pittoresk (D. Planteijdt) [10:47] 3.Ritme 7000 (D. Planteijdt) [2:40] 4.Drei (D. Planteijdt) [4:37] 5.Karotten (D. Planteijdt) [15:08]
Musicians: Gert-Jan Blom (Bass guitar), Wouter Planteijdt (Guitar), Wilfrid Snellens (Drums),
Dolf Planteijdt (Guitar), guest musicians: Roland Brunt (flute), Kaspar (organ).
Review: Let me start by saying that this album is Holland's best kept secret. It is an excellent album that contains some of the best progressive music recorded in the Netherlands. It is experimental, complex and very exciting.The Pandorra Ensemble was an experimental band led by the Planteijdt brothers, who both played guitar. The music is completely instrumental, and except from one track, it is bass (in the style of Chris Squire or Peter Vink), drums and lots of guitars. If compared to other bands, they have something in common with King Crimson. This shows in their avant garde type of rock and also in the guitar playing of Wouter Planteijdt which resembles the style of Robert Fripp. If Crimson had recorded an album in 1978, this is how it could have sounded. Other references are Djam Karet and mathrock from bands like Don Caballero.The album consists of three long tracks and two shorter ones. The first track is Door Mekaar. The main feature of this track is two guitars playing together and against each other. The opening has a Canterbury feel over it. After a quiet center part the song is build up again with a bass solo and ends with a fantastic guitar solo. A great track that really defines the sound of the Pandorra Ensemble. The second track is Kanon Pittoresk. With it's repetitive themes the start of this track is the closest they come to mathrock. Halfway, the most breathtaking minutes of the album pass you by. The rhythm of the song changes and a guitar solo that bring tears to your eyes start. At the end the same solo is played again, but this time up-tempo. To slow things a bit and for the listener to take a deep breath, the album follows with two shorter tracks: Ritme 7000 and Drei. The first is guitar and bass and on top of that a flute, played by Roland Brunt. It is a nice little tune. The second is best compared to the opening of Crimson's Lark's Tongues In Aspic, part 1. In the middle a few people shout numbers in German, although almost not audible. This is a sort of intro to the closer of the album, Karotten. This one starts very quiet but soon they pick up some sort of groove with a heavy bass guitar and some great soloing ( a mix between Akkerman and Fripp). When the song becomes quiet again and you think the album is over, they play a sort of reprise with a very beautiful and melodic piece of music.The musicianship of all players is very high. But a special word goes out to both guitarists. They can easily be added to the list of great dutch guitarist, where they complete the top three with Jan Akkerman (Focus) and Joop van Nimwegen (Finch). The production of the album is also very good. There is one point of criticism about this release: this album should be released on cd as soon as possible. And not some vinyl rip, but a proper remastered album. And then everybody who wants to add an excellent album to it's collection can get it. (Dutch progressive rock)
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OCTOBRE-SURVIVANCE (1975, LP, CANADA)

2008-06-02T11:53:00.008+02:00

Third album from the Flynn-lead Octobre, named after a made-up word (survivance would mean ability or aptitude at survival), and by now Octobre is at the top of its game, as was starting Quebec’s progressive rock boom. Offenbach, Maneige and Octobre will found a short-lived partnership to play more gigs, then play with Harmonium (who was to become huge in their home province) and Beau Domage. This lead to recording Survivance, recorded again at Studio Six at the end of the summer of 75, with another non- committing artwork sleeve.
Starting out on the superb (and relatively lengthy) almost-instrumental Tendre Torture (sweet/soft torture), Octobre shows that Flynn’s songs were not their only strength, and the ever-changing track is a small tour de force. Christiane Robichaud’s choirs are to be heard on both instrumental, each starting the vinyl sides. In this regard, Baptême De L’Air (aerial christening) is another stunning instrumental that shines like the sun. At the time, Quebec’s political conscience was in full bloom, and the artistic/cultural revolution in full prime, and En Famille celebrates a festival where 100 000 partied on the Mont Royal and celebrated like a family feast, but something is brewing in Flynn’s mood as not right. La Valse à 11 Temps is definitely one of Octobre more “prog” tracks, sounding like Crimson would had Fripp been from La Belle Province. Of course, you understood that the track is in 11/4, no doubt a remnant of their concert with King Crimson headlining.
L’Oiseau Rouge (red bird) is one of the best-produced tracks where the group’s full dynamic range is emphasized, and they sound like Supertramp (Asylum) meeting Mahavishnu Orchestra, if you can picture that. The closing title track is Flynn’s more personal text on the album about his feeling in the music industry, and Hebert’s excellent drum rolls save the track from sinking in cheesyland. Another filler is Encore Ce Soir, no doubt inspired by the whining of Flynn’s girlfriend.
Tracklist: 1. Tendre Torture (instrumental) (6:27) 2. Cet Instant (4:05) 3. La Valse À Onze Temps (4 :11) 4. En Famille (3:29) 5. Baptême De L'air (instrumental) (3:26) 6. Tu T'en Vas Encore Ce Soir (4:26) 7. L`Oiseau Rouge (4:48) 8. Survivance (3:43) Musicians:
Pierre Flynn / keyboards, lead vocals- Jean Dorais / guitars - Mario Légaré / bass- Pierre Hébert / drums (progarchives)
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ODYSSEE-WHITE SWAN (1978, LP, GERMANY)

2008-06-02T11:46:00.007+02:00

Way above average German symphonic progressive album. This one has a lot more meat on its bones than most of the somnambulant snoozers coming from there during this time. For one thing, the tempo is faster and they mix in some time changes, to help keep it interesting throughout. Full fledged band sound with a thick production. The thematic sections are well developed, and a melody or two can actually be committed to memory. There’s a definite Genesis influence, but not as much as Neuschwanstein, Ivory and Sirius. There’s even a little funky business in the bass lines. A very good album that could use a legit CD reissue. (OML)

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JOX-JOXIFICATIONS (1982, LP, FRANCE)

2008-05-10T12:11:00.009+02:00

Beautiful french progressive folk, in Gentle Giant vein.
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LE GRAND NEBULEUX ET LES LAVEURS DE CONSCIENCES-LES PIRATES DU CORTEX (1978, LP, FRANCE)

2008-05-10T11:55:00.010+02:00

Interesting and complex jazz rock album with some freer structures. It tends to get a bit shreiky in the sax department and the compositions stray towards the unhinged. But that’s not to say their aren’t some stellar moments as well. Rhythm section is super tight, and the guitar playing sometimes has an acidic tone, which is more than welcome. Best track, and at complete odds with the rest of the material, is a mellow hand-percussion / flute piece with quirky French voices. Had the album been more composed and less improvised, it would’ve been a monster. As it stands, it’s still quite good. (OMD)
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RATIONAL DIET-S/T (2007, CD, BIELORUSSIA)

2008-05-10T11:44:00.007+02:00

The following is taken from the press release about the band from their label AltrOck:"Belarus group Rational Diet proposes an unusual mix of styles and sounds: Chamber music, rock, theatre and improvisation, supported by the amazingly instrumental abilities of their components. It’s difficult to define the mood of such music, which goes from dark atmosphere to grotesque, powerful or oniric, sometimes even humoristic. Violin, cello, bassoon, saxes and accordion - besides the traditional rock instruments - chase each other along the dizzy instrumental plots, or sustain the dazed texts by the Russian avant-garde poets Daniil Charms and Alexei Kruchenykh. Influences: Shostakovich, Stravinsky, Webern, Ives, King Crimson, Henry Cow, Art Bears, Univers Zero, Present, Debile Menthol"(Progarchives)
Fantastic R.I.O.!!!
link ...Buy it!

JACQUES THOLLOT-CINQ HOPS (1978, CD, FRANCE)

2008-05-10T11:37:00.008+02:00

Man, I must be getting old. All these things from 25-30-35 years ago that I remember and own or owned are now being touted as lost classics. "Lost?, I've owned that for...uh...years...uh...never mind..." Anyway, this is a very good French jazz/rock/zeuhl album from 1978 that came out on the short-lived Free Bird label. Thollot is a drummer who played with some noted free and avant jazz players in the 60s and 70s, such as Sonny Sharrock, Sam Rivers, Don Cherry, Eric Dolphy, Jac Berrocal and many others. This title however is completely different. The record label hype, all in French that I can read badly suggests that it's meeting of a trilogy of styles: the jazz/rock universe, such as Weather Report, French classical music as typified by Poulenc and Debussy and lastly rock in opposition sounds of Art Bears and John Greaves. I really don't hear rock in opposition at all, but eliminate them and throw in Zeuhl via Zao, Yochk'o Seffer, Alain Eckert Quartet (will THAT album ever be reissued on CD?) and I'd agree pretty strongly with their take on this. The lineup is Elise Ross-vocals, Francois Jeanneau-soprano sax & flute, Michel Grailler-piano, Yamaha electronic piano, Francois Couturier-keyboards, Jean Paul Celea-double bass and Jacques Thollot on drums, percussion and keyboards. Elise sings in a rather classical style and these are obviously jazz and jazz/rock players but it's pretty strongly zeuhl, baby. Very nice and great to see this available again! (Wayside)
Great crazy prog!!!! here

LOUIS SCLAVIS QUINTET-ROUGE (1992, CD, FRANCE)

2008-05-10T11:31:00.011+02:00

Louis Sclavis (b. Lyon, France, February 2, 1953) is a French jazz musician. He performs on clarinet, bass clarinet, and soprano saxophone in a variety of contexts, including jazz and free jazz. His music shows great creativity and a lively sense of humor.
Sclavis began his musical education at the conservatoire de Lyon at age 9, where he studied clarinet. He began performing with the Lyon Workshop, where he met Michel Portal and Bernard Lubat. He then joined the Brotherhood of Breath of Chris McGregor, and later the Henri Texier quartet.
He began his work as a leader in 1987, with his first album Chine. The track Duguesclin has actually been a hit in France, due to its lively, middle-age inspiration. In 1995, he created, along with Henri Texier and Aldo Romano, a trio named the African trio which achieved considerable success, even outside of the French jazz community.
He frequently performs with the cellist Ernst Reijseger and was one of the first to combine jazz with French folk music, working most prominently with the hurdy-gurdy player Valentin Clastrier. (Wikipedia)
Great music!! Here

HENRY COW-LIVE IN SWEDEN (1977, UNRELEASED)

2008-05-03T19:26:00.006+02:00

This is a fantastic performance from Henry Cow. This concert was recording from a Swedish radio in 1977 and broadcast by "Radio Popolare di Milano" (when "Radio Popolare" broadcast still good music .....).

A great concert for a fantastic group!

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CALOMITO-INAUDITO (2005, CD, ITALY)

2008-05-01T15:02:00.011+02:00

Calomito are a six-piece Italian band who use: violin/viola, guitars, alto/soprano saxes/percussion/weird vocal efx, Fender Rhodes/synth/organ, electric bass/double bass and drums, the sound is a mix of progressive, r.i.o., Canterbury and jazz touch with a mediterranean influence that sometimes reminds of the fantastic Area, Gong, or Zappa … complex compositions, skilled musicians, a really good debut album!
Support this artists!! Buy this great cd!!!!
myspace
link in comment......

LOW FLYING AIRCRAFT-S/T (1987, CD, ENGLAND)

2008-05-01T14:37:00.009+02:00

Fantastic project with David Cross (violin),Keith Tippett (piano),Dan Maurer (drums, EMU II, whirled tube) and Jim Juhn (guitar, bass, EMU II, percussion, whirled tuba).
Tracklist: 1. Sybilization (3:17) 2. Fourth dimension (3:14) 3. Baptism by fire (2:46) 4. Poolside (5:34) 5. Abstract Blue (5:32) 6. Moronathon (3:13) 7. Amnesia (2:59) 8. Reflection (8:45) 9. What did you do (2:06) 10. Radically conservative (3:04)
Guest musicians: Ron Linton (Tenox sax), Eric Drew Feldman (DX7), Paul Burwell (percussion, sqweek drum, bowed metal, whirled tube)
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SHADOWFAX-WATERCOURSE WAY (1976, CD, USA)

2008-05-01T14:16:00.009+02:00

"Watercourse way" is the first Shadowfax album; this is a fantastic mixture of progressive and jazz-rock harmonies, very different from the following works, close to new age sounds. Recommended!!!
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LIBRA-MUSICA & PAROLE (1975, CD, ITALY)

2008-05-01T10:25:00.005+02:00

A unique case of an italian band signed with Motown, Libra were formed in Rome in 1974, and in the same year they recorded their first album for Ricordi, after a successful tour with Banco del Mutuo Soccorso; some of the group members came from significant past experiences, like keyboardist Centofanti from Buon Vecchio Charlie and singer/guitarist D'Andrea from Myosotis and Logan Dwight.
Mainly a rock album with large use of acoustic parts and some jazz-rock and funky influences, Musica e parole has some PFM similarities and a few interesting prog moments, like in the 13 min. long closing track Inquinamento (originally sung in roman dialect and renamed Pollution in the US version), and gave the band the chance to be signed in the States with Motown, that issued it in a revised english-sung version (simply called Libra) in USA. One of the album tracks, the funky Beyond the fence, was sung in english even in the original LP version, and was recorded live or with fake audience overdubs.
A year later, with D'Andrea leaving and ex-Goblin drummer Walter Martino joining the band, Libra released an US-only second album, Winter days nightmare, much more commercial than the previous one and with strong (obvious considering the label) funky influences. This was not successful and the band returned to Italy.
A final Libra line-up, including keyboardist Maurizio Guarini from Goblin and guitarist Carlo Pennisi from Flea, released a third album in 1977 as a soundtrack to the film Shock (but the LP was misspelt as Schock), by director Mario Bava, much in Goblin style, before disbanding. Federico D'Andrea died in 1978, run over by a car. (italianprog.com)
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HERMETO PASCOAL E GRUPO-MUNDO VERDE ESPERANCA (2002, CD, BRAZIL)

2008-05-01T10:06:00.006+02:00

Hermeto Pascoal (b. June 22, 1936) is a Brazilian composer and multi-instrumentalist born in Arapiraca, area of Alagoas, Brazil.

Known as o bruxo (the sorcerer), Hermeto often makes music with unconventional objects such as teapots, children's toys, and animals, as well as keyboards, button accordion, melodica, saxophone, guitar, flute, voice, various brass and folkloric instruments. Perhaps due to his growing up in the countryside, he uses nature as a basis for his compositions, as in his Música da Lagoa, where the musicians burble water and play flutes while immersed in a lagoon: a Brazilian television broadcast from 1999 showed him soloing at one point by singing into a cup with his mouth partially submerged in water. The folk musics of rural Brazil are another important influence on his work. Pascoal comes from a remote corner of northeast Brazil, an area that when he was born had no electricity. He learnt the accordion from his father and practised for hours in the shade as, being an albino, he was incapable of working in the fields with the rest of his family.
Hermeto's career began in 1964 with appearances on several Brazilian recordings with relatively small groups. These now-classic albums and the musicians involved (Edu Lobo, Airto Moreira, Elis Regina, Cesar Camargo Mariano and others) established widely influential new directions in post-bossa Brazilian Jazz. After joining Moreira in his Sambrasa Trio in 1966, the two went on to form Quarteto Novo and release an album which would do much to launch the careers of Pascoal and Moreira. Pascoal would then go on to join the multi-faceted Brazilian Octopus, to play on Airto's recordings and then to recording in his own right.
He initially came to the international public's attention through an appearance on Miles Davis' 1971 album Live/Evil, which featured Pascoal on several pieces (which he also composed). Davis has said that Pascoal was "the most impressive musician in the world". Later collaborations involved fellow Brazilian musicians Airto Moreira and Flora Purim. From the late 1970s on he has mostly led his own groups, playing at many prestigious venues, such as the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1979. Other members of the group have included bassist Itibere Zwarg, pianist Jovino Santos-Neto and percussionists Nene (his colleague from Quarteto Novo in the 1960s), Pernambuco and Zabele.
Hermeto is a prolific composer, famous for his project Calendário do Som, in which he composed a song every day for a year so that everyone would have a song for his or her birthday (Wikipedia).

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TIM BERNE-SANCTIFIED DREAMS (1987, CD, USA)

2008-05-01T09:56:00.008+02:00

Tim Berne (born 1954) is an American jazz saxophone player and composer.
Though Berne was a music fan, he had no interest in playing a musical instrument until he was in college, when he purchased an alto saxophone. He was more interested in rhythm and blues music--Stax records releases and Aretha Franklin, especially--until he heard Julius Hemphill's 1972 recording Dogon A.D..
Hemphill was known for his integration of soul music and funk with free jazz. Berne moved to New York City in 1974. There Berne took lessons from Hemphill, and later recorded with him.
In 1979, Berne founded Empire Records to release his own recordings. He recorded Fulton Street Maul and Sanctified Dreams for Columbia Records, which generated some discussion and controversy, due in part to the fact that Berne's music had little in common with the neo-tradionalist hard bop performers prominent in the mid-1980s. Some regarded Berne's music as uncommercial. In the late 1990s Berne founded Screwgun Records, which has released his own recordings, as well as others' music.
Beyond his recordings as a bandleader, Berne has recorded and/or performed with guitarist Bill Frisell, avant-garde composer/sax player John Zorn, violinist Mat Maneri, guitarist David Torn, trumpet player Herb Robertson and as a member of the cooperative trio Miniature (group).
Recent years have found Berne performing in several different groups with drummer Tom Rainey, keyboardist Craig Taborn, bassists Michael Formanek and Drew Gress, guitarists Marc Ducret and David Torn, and reeds player Chris Speed.
Berne's complex, multi-section compositions are often quite lengthy; twenty to thirty minute pieces are not unusual. One critic has written that Berne's long songs "don't grow tiresome. The musicians are brilliantly creative and experienced enough not to get lost in all the room provided by these large time frames." (Wikipedia)

Tracklist: 1-Velcho Man (For Stefan Zeniuk) (9:00) 2-Hip Doctor (For Al) (3:25) 3-Elastic Lad (11:49) 4-Sanctified Dreams (7:39) 5-Blue Alpha (For Alpha) (8:00) 6-Mag's Groove (12:43)
7-Terre Haute (7:40)
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JULVERNE-COULONNEUX (1979, LP, BELGIUM)

2008-05-01T09:38:00.006+02:00

Ensembles performing a chamber music variation of progressive rock often get compared to Univers Zero and Art Zoyd, but if the list is stretched, Belgians Julverne are likely to find themselves in the number three slot. Taking their name from one of the earliest speculative fiction writers, Julverne peform a classically inspired music, whose (very) occasional tangents into darker territory within this chamber sort of format undoubtedly draw comparisons to their more well known Belgian contemporaries. They included a revolving line up led by flute and sax player Pierre Coulon and violin and trombone player Jeannot Gillis.
In fact, Julverne has shared musicians with Univers Zero, including Dirk Descheemaker and Michel Berckmans. So there is really no surprise that there are similarities in style to both bands. However, Julverne is more like Univers Zero's happier, more cosmopolitan younger brother. The ensemble's first album was released in 1979, and unlike their more aggressive musical brethren, Julverne don't have any drums. In fact, they only seem to be a rock band by comparison, as this truly seems to be a chamber group performing original music with influences of Satie, Bartok, Debussy, and the less dissonant measures of Stravinksy. The instrumentation is typical of chamber music with piano, strings, horns and winds, and these are arranged in many lovely ways over Coulonneux's ten-track duration. In fact, the similarities to Univers Zero and Art Zoyd are largely the musical format, as this is never angry or strident in the least. However, Julverne was certainly considered an experimental band by the musical collective that made it up, and the compositions reflect an exploratory ethic in their use of keys, modes and arrangements. Without getting into music theory, it can still be said that most of the compositions often start out in a fresh and accessible mode before veering off into a tangent belying the 20th Century influences of the band. It's a gorgeous album and rather idiosyncratic, even in comparison to the ensemble's RIO-drafted contemporaries.
A Neuf was an even more mature effort, starting with an ambitious three-piece suite. While Julverne's chamber music approach implies a sort of serious study, musically there were bits of humor sneaking into the compositions nonetheless, such as the second part of the suite, "Un Peu Pretentieux" (A Bit Pretentious). Musically this is also true, with the ensemble's occasional tangents into sly, goofy, or zany territory. One may be listening to some beautiful arranged chamber piece before the whole group speeds off in another direction, as if Bugs Bunny was yet again leading Elmer Fudd off on another wild goose chase. In fact, if anything sets apart Julverne from cousins Univers Zero, it's this omnipresent playfulness. Only a group of skilled musicians and composers could pull off such a thing in such complex and involved compositions. Not a piece of music is anything but entertaining here, rich in ideas, spontaneity, dynamic diversity and mood. Perhaps it's more a tribute to such classy music that Julverne finds itself in such company with bands like Univers Zero in Belgium's most interesting lineage of experimental chamber music ensembles.
While the first two albums by Julverne might be considered the formative work of the ensemble, the band would release two more albums, 1983's Emballade and 1986's Ne Parlons Pas de Mahleur, before dissolving. In 1992, the Igloo label would release a retrospective of these albums (Le Retour du Captain Nemo) including a great deal of music from the early albums. Julverne also reformed recently to release 2000's Le Pavillion des Passions Humanies. (gnosis2000.net)

If one was to draw a map of the Belgium prog scene (outside of the symphonic current) , all period considered and all currents considered (Zeuhl, Canterbury , RIO , Avant-prog , jazz-rock all fitting into what is called CHAMBER ROCK – but I choose to call it Chamber prog , because some of those bands are not really rock anymore) , then JULVERNE would likely be right in the centre of the story. All musicians have a link with all major bands from that small surrealist country where culture is the main gathering force but also the main dividing rift between the two major communities of the land. Members of JULVERNE have played or will play in UNIVERS ZERO , PRESENT , AKSAK MABOUL , X-LEGGED SALLY , COS , CRO-MAGNON , etc.. The group started as a bunch of music classical students wanting to reinvent the classical chamber orchestra by adding a bit of a rock twist although this will remain very discreet. But on the mood spectrum I would place them on the opposite scale of Univers Zero, the first being the extra joyful joie de vivre as opposed to the dark and lugubrious underworld of UZ. The first album actually was the oeuvre of Pierre Coulon , but the next two albums were also quite interesting as En Ballade stands a bit apart from the rest of their discography often digressing into jazzier terrain and some vocals. They recorded a last album in 86, and nothing (apart from a compilation album in 92) was heard of them until the turn of the century when they reconvened for another album celebrating the renovation of a spectacular building in Brussels that has remained open to public for exactly four hours before being closed for obscene bas-relief. Did you say Belgian surrealism? (Progarchives.com)

Tracklist: 1. Le fils du Roy est névrosé 2. Joyeux Noël, cap’tain Nemo! 3. Franklin prend son thé chaud 4. Savez-vous planter du chanvre? 5. Valse cirque I 6. Prout de mammouth 7. Communiqué gouvernemental 8. Valse cirque II 9. ’t kofschip 10. Trois trois deux

Line-up/Musicians: Jean Coulon (trombone), Pierre Coulon (flute), Michel Dayez (guitar), Anne Denis (violin), Jeannot Gillis (violin), Jean Paul Laurent (piano), Richard Rousselet (trumpet), Denis VanHecke (cello).

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MUSICA URBANA, BLAY TRITONO, LA RONDALLA DE LA COSTA-PRIMERA AVENTURA DE PEPE CARVALHO: "TATUAJE" (1978, LP, SPAIN)

2008-04-13T13:27:00.010+02:00

This is the RARE third LP of Musica Urbana in fact it's a soundtrack of the film by Bigas Luna (1978) . The Ensemble Musicale is completed by the Musica Urbana, Blay Tritono and La Rondalla de la Costa.
Some info and tracklist:
Banda Sonora de la Pelicula: Primera Aventura de Pepe Carvalho: Tatuaje (Temas de Toni Miro & Joan Albert Amargos) intepretados por los grupos Musica Urbana, Blay Tritono y La Rondalla de la Costa.
1. He nacido para Revolucionar el Infierno (4:36) 2. Barcelona (1:01) 3. Vallvidrera (5:00) 4. Camina gorda (4:14) 5. Peliqueria queta 1era (1:26) 6. Peliqueria queta 2da (0:19) 7. Hotel las Palma (3:51) 8. Amsterdam & Barcelona (1:59) 9. Teresa Marsé (3:10) 10. Charo (2:38)
Una pelicula dirigida por Bigas Luna sobre un guion de Manolo Vazquez Montalban
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STORMY SIX-CLICHE'+PINOCCHIO BAZAAR (1976, CD ITALY)

2008-04-13T11:59:00.005+02:00

Not many progressive music collectors are aware that Stormy Six released some very interesting and original works in that style, the group having long been associated with the left-wing political and protest songs of their first albums.Stormy Six began as a beat band in the 60's in Milan, and they even supported the Rolling Stones during their first italian tour. Their first album, named Le idee di oggi per la musica di domani by their record company, is a good example of the genre, with even some light psych influences like in the instrumental Schalplattengesellschaft mbh, bass player Claudio Rocchi being the most interested in psychedelia. He was in fact the first to leave the band to pursue a solo career.
Second album L'unità saw the group reduced to a quartet, with bassist Massimo Villa replacing Rocchi, and keyboardist Martinetti leaving during the recording sessions, though he appeared on some tracks only. The sound was now strongly inspired by the then popular West-Coast style, yet it contained some rock-inspired moments like in the long Suite per F & F with good instrumental parts by Ricky Belloni (then with Il Pacco and later in Nuova Idea) and sax player Claudio Fasoli from Perigeo.
In the third album, Guarda giù dalla pianura, dealing more strongly with protest songs, the Woody Guthrie influence was evident in the cover versions' choice, and the band was now a constant presence in left-wing movements concerts and festivals.
Their 1975 album Un biglietto del tram was the first proper original Stormy Six album, a highly rated album in Italy at the time and with strong political contents. Released on the newly born independent label L'Orchestra (in which the band members had a leading role), it was a concept album, based on some events from the last years of World War II in Italy and the Resistance movement against nazis, the album contained an original blend of folk and prog sounds and interesting lyrics. Songs like Stalingrado or Dante Di Nanni (the name of a victim of nazis) have always been in the band's concerts in later years.
In 1976 a revised line-up produced the instrumental Cliché, conceived as a soundtrack for a theatre piece and with help from jazz players Guido Mazzon and Tony Rusconi, and a year later L'apprendista, one of their best works ever. A real prog gem, the album had complex rhythm changes in the best tradition of this style (some comparison are possible with Gentle Giant), yet retaining a very original mood, with a perfect use of any kind of instruments and multivocal parts.
At the end of the 70's the band had prolific collaboration with foreign artists and Stormy Six were one of the five founder members (along with Henry Cow from UK, Univers Zero from Belgium, Etron Fou Leloublan from France and Samla Mammas Manna from Sweden) of the RIO-Rock In Opposition international movement, that gave them the opportunity to play all over Europe.
Next album in 1980, Macchina maccheronica, that also becomes the name of the band in some concerts, a varied album in the best RIO tradition with some very good tracks mixed with odd short songs and crazy rhythms, even a waltz! Last chapter in this long story Al volo, in 1982, still a good album that reveals 80's electropop influences added to the typical Stormy Six sound.
In 1984 some of the band members also collaborated with german group Cassiber, releasing some recordings together with the name of Cassix on the english Recommended Records label. Cassix line-up included Umberto Fiori (vocals), Franco Fabbri (guitar), Heiner Goebbels (keyboards) Alfred Harth (sax), Pino Martini (bass), Chris Cutler (drums).
Guitarist Franco Fabbri has written many books on music and still collaborates with various avantgarde music and theatre groups, the others have had many other musical experiences after the band split. The band reunited in 1993 for a concert that's been released on the nice Un concerto CD (italianprog)
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YUGEN-LABIRINTO D'ACQUA (2006, CD, ITALY)

2008-04-13T11:43:00.007+02:00

The first album by this Italian/international avant-progressive supergroup, which has been eagerly anticipated. Their stated influences should tell you all you need to know: Satie, Stravinsky, Schoenberg, Cage, Reich, Zappa, Henry Cow, Gentle Giant, King Crimson, Univers Zero! Very very good stuff for fans of 'rehearsal-intensive, complex avant-progressive rock. "Yugen is a musical project born during autumn of 2004 from an idea by Francesco Zago and Marcello Marinone. Four years after the end of The Night Watch, , Francesco Zago begins thinking about a synthesis between rock (progressive and RIO-style oriented) and chamber music. Thanks to the ideas and fundamental support of Marcello Marinone, the project takes its shape from a few chamber compositions, enriched with electric sounds and a rock rhythm section. The name of the project became Yugen, a japanese word – impossible to translate in its precise meaning – which expresses the aesthetic canon of japanese art, as haiku in poetry or Noh in theatre. Between December of 2004 and January of 2005 the first demo of Yugen was produced. Diego Donadio, formerly drummer of The Night Watch, contributes to the drums arrangements. In February, during an extemporaneous jam session in Tradate, the keyboard player Paolo Botta (Franch TV) and swiss saxophone player Markus Stauss (Spaltklang, Ulterior Lux) joined the group. Then Stephan Brunner, who plays electric bass in Spaltklang, and reed player Peter Schmid (Evan Parker, Vinny Golia) accept to play with Yugen. In the meantime, new compositions come out: Zago writes little acoustic pieces. To satisfy the complexity and richness of the arrangements, other instrumentalist join the band: the percussionist Massimo Mazza, Giuseppe Olivini (OZ, Contrapplugged) plays harpsichord, the classical players Maurizio Fasoli (piano), Elia Mariani (violin) and Marco Sorge (clarinets). Last arrivals, but not less important, the drummer Mattia Signò, Tommaso Leddi (Stormy Six) and U.S. drummer Dave Kerman (Thinking Plague, 5uu’s, Present, Blast, Ahvak….). The recordings began in June of 2005 and they continued until January of 2006. During the following months, Udi Koomran (Avhak, Present, Thinking Plague) worked on mixing and mastering." (Wayside)
Fantastic first working draft of Francesco Zago, "Yugen" is, in my opinion, today one of the best progressive group of the world. An incredible blend of progressive/avant-garde/contemporary-chamber rock. A masterpiece!!! click here
myspace: http://www.myspace.com/yugenband
Buy this cd!!

JOSE' LUIS FERNANDEZ LEDESMA-DESIGNIOS (2002, CD, ITA)

2007-12-26T17:09:00.002+01:00

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SUPERSISTER-SUPERSISTERIOUS (2000, 2CD, LIVE, NETHERLAND)

2007-12-26T17:01:00.002+01:00

cd1,

cd2

YOLK-DIE DRITTE, OCTOPUS (1997, CD, SWITZERLAND)

2007-12-26T13:14:00.003+01:00

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LACRYMOSA-JOY OF THE WRECHED SHIP (1993, CD, JAPAN)

2007-12-26T12:47:00.002+01:00

here

MEDIABANDA-DINERO Y TERMINACION NERVIOSA (2007, 2CD, CHILE)

2007-12-02T11:36:00.007+01:00

cd1 and cd2
Official web site
My space

ALEXL.FRIZ (2004, CD, BRAZIL)

2007-12-02T11:08:00.002+01:00

here

CIRCUS-MOVIN' ON (1977, CD, SWITZERLAND)

2007-11-18T09:55:00.004+01:00

here

EASTER ISLAND-NOW AND THEN (1979, CD, USA)

2007-11-17T18:13:00.002+01:00

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MAURIZIO FABRIZIO-MOVIMENTI NEL CIELO (1978, LP, ITALY)

2007-11-17T18:08:00.003+01:00

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I search the other Maurizio Fabrizio solo work "Azzurri Orizzonti" (1976)

DICE-THE FOUR RIDERS OF THE APOCALYPSE (1977, CD, SWEDEN)

2007-11-16T19:32:00.002+01:00

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PENTWATER-OUT OF THE ABYSS (1976, CD, USA)

2007-11-16T19:23:00.002+01:00

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YEZDA URFA-SACRET BABOON (1989, CD, USA)

2007-11-16T19:19:00.002+01:00

here

ROUGE CIEL-S/T (2001, CD, CANADA)

2007-08-17T13:18:00.002+02:00

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SIMON STEENSLAND-THE ZOMBIE HUNTER (1995, CD, SWEDEN)

2007-08-17T12:59:00.002+02:00

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POCKET ORCHESTRA-KNEBNAGAUJE (1978-79-83, CD, USA)

2007-08-17T11:24:00.003+02:00

Formed in the late seventies in Phoenix, Arizona, this long-lost RIO band originally went under the name Knebnagäuje (and indeed released their first demo tape as such) and unfortunately never managed to garner much in the way of attention at the time. Little did the world know what they were missing; namely some of the most intense, creative, densely composed RIO ever made.They released two demo tapes, one near the start of their career (Knebnagäuje, 1979) and the other towards the end (Pocket Orchestra, 1984). This end, incidentally, was sadly brought about by the group’s lead guitarist and originator, Tim Parr, suffering an early death that same year. Had this not occurred, it is quite possible that Pocket Orchestra would have become much better-known and respected within the RIO community.Pocket Orchestra clearly played RIO for the love of RIO, and they used every trick in the book to maximum effect – complex time signatures and jerky rhythms, expanded instrumentation that included clarinet, saxophone and cello, playful humour, discordant harmonies coupled with surprisingly catchy melodies and hooks. Their sound was one that will hold instant appeal for any self-respecting RIO fan and will instantly repel just about everyone else. If I had to name names I suppose their closest stylistic cousins would be the SAMLA MAMMAS MANNA family tree (Pocket Orchestra’s hard-edged qualities make them more akin to the Zamla era albums than the earlier, lighter Samla ones, though). Other influences include HENRY COW and UNIVERS ZERO. All the usual suspects, really. However, I must stress, Pocket Orchestra has a sound utterly distinct from all these influences.The two tapes the band managed to record during their active years were compiled in 2005 onto one CD (with amazingly high sound quality too!) by MIO records, coupled with heartfelt liner notes from the band’s friend and fellow RIO musician Scott Brazieal of Cartoon. It serves as a fitting testament to the band’s exemplary skill, creativity and sheer gusto. (Progarchives.com)

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P.O.N.-S/T (1995, CD, JAPAN)

2007-08-17T11:10:00.002+02:00

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THE SCIENCE GROUP-...A MERE COINCIDENCE... (1999, CD, USA/ ENGLAND)

2007-08-16T20:38:00.003+02:00

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N.O.R.M.A. - S/T (1992, CD, ITALY)

2007-08-16T18:15:00.003+02:00

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BANDA ELASTICA-LOS AWAKATES DE NEPANTLA (1994, CD, MEXICO)

2007-08-16T15:55:00.003+02:00

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FIREBALLET-TWO, TOO... (1976, LP, USA)

2007-08-16T15:52:00.004+02:00

Two, Too... was released in 1976. It is perhaps most famous for its cover which depicts all of the members of the band dressed up as (you guessed it), ballerinas. Now you all get it. Anyway, one single was released off of this album. It was the cover of the song "Desiree". The b-side to this single was the song "Carrollon". This is a relatively rare single. This album had Stephen Galfas as the producer and featured strings and a Eumir Deodato arrangement on the last track. Although not often given as high a praise in the music community as the first album, it rewards repeated listenings (http://www.fortunecity.com/)

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FIREBALLET-NIGHT ON BALD MOUNTAIN (1975, LP, USA)

2007-08-16T15:43:00.007+02:00

This is one of the gems from the USA progrock history. The band featured Jim Como (lead vocals, drums, percussion), Bryan Howe (Hammond – and pipe organ, celeste and vocals), Ryche Chlanda (electric – and acoustic guitars, electronic devices and vocals), Frak Petto (piano, electric piano, ARP 2600 synthesizer, Mellotron, electronic strings, Oberheim DS-2 digital sequencer and vocals) and Martyn Biling (bass, 12-string guitar, Moog Taurus bass pedals). Their first album “Night on Bald Mountain” was released in ’75 and produced by Ian McDonald (KING CRIMSON). It sounds like a very tasteful progrock stew with elements from GENESIS, GENTLE GIANT and YES. The very disappointing second LP (’76) is entitled “Two, two ... “, no surprise that it turned out to be their swansong. The album debut-album “Night on Bald Mountain” from 1975 is a bit unknown beauty, other USA prog rock bands NETHERWORLD and LIFT got far more attention from the prog fans all over the world. The twelve compositions (including seven bonus tracks, “All Killers, No Fillers” would Greg Walker from Syn-Phonic say) contain alternating and captivating music with strong echoes from early GENESIS and also GENTLE GIANT and YES. But many twists and turns give the music an original approach, including exciting arrangements from classic composers (MUSSORGSKY and DEBUSSY). The singer sounds powerful and has a wide range, the ‘vintage’ keyboards are very lush with spectacular synthesizer solos and the guitar work has a beautiful, 24-carat symphonic tradition. Highlight on this splendid CD is the epic title track (almost 20 minutes): wonderful changes of climate, great breaks, impressive pipe organ (evoking “Close to the Edge” from YES) and beautiful HACKETT-like guitar work. Also worth mentioning is Ian McDonald’s contribution to this album, he plays flute on two tracks and saxophone on two tracks, his sound is very distinctive. Highly recommended! (progarchives).

A great disc for all lovers of good music. An immense class, genius, romance, great performance, a short drive that makes crazy!!!

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OPUS AVANTRA-OPUS MAGNUM 4CD BOX-SET: INTROSPEZIONE'74, LORD CROMWELL PLAYS SUITE FOR SEVEN VICES'75, STRATA'89, ALFREDO TISOCCO KATHARSIS'75

2007-07-31T18:59:00.006+02:00

Introspezione (1974)

Tracklist:

1. Introspezione (2:05)

2. Les plaisirs sont doux (3:36)

3. La marmellata (2:34)

4. L'altalena (5:35)

5. Monologo (2:37)

6. Il pavone (4:53)

7. Ah, douleur (4:15)

8. Deliee (5:01)

9. Oro (3:30)

10. Rituale (5:47)

11. Introspezione (integrale) (6:12)

Lord Cromwell plays suite for seven vices (1975)

Tracklist:

1. Flowers on pride (5:30)

2. Avarice (5:26)

3. Lust (3:54)

4. My vice (2:00)

5. Ira (7:53)

6. Gluttony (3:05)

7. Envy (5:44)

8. Sloth (4:33)

9. Allemanda (3:03) (bonus track)

Strata (1989)

Tracklist: 1. Canto alla notte (3:51)

2. Quiete e tumulto (2:11)

3. Danza degli oggetti liberati (4:41)

4. Canto incompiuto (4:07)

5. Vertigine (3::24)
6. Fase dello specchio (duello) (3:46)
7. Canto prima dell'alba (3:09)
8. Tics (palude) (2:57)
9. Ritmo alfa (labirinto) - live (7:25)
10. Canto a un dio nascosto (3:35)
11. R.E.M. (11:25) (bonus track)

Alfredo Tisocco - Katharsis (1975)

Tracklist:
1. Katharsis (1:11)
2. Galassie (5:57)
3. Tensione (3:29)
4. Il tempo (3:14)
5. Ira (2:10)
6. Richiamo (5:03)
7. (Ah ben si (3:45)
8. Katharsis (1:34)
voce recitante "Il principio"
9. Cristalli (2:27)
10. Impressioni (3:10)
voce recitante "Impressioni"
11. Flying in the wind (3:22)
voce recitante "L'albero"
12. Spiritual (4:35)
13. Caduta (2:39)
14. Katharsis (2:58)
voce recitante "Se"

A unique group in the italian scene, Opus Avantra mixed together contemporary classical music with avantgarde and a light progressive rock inflience, giving an original result that's often considered too difficult to listen for straight prog rock ears. Their name was obtained from their three main interests, opera, avantgarde and traditional music.
Formed in Veneto in 1973 around the nucleus of soprano Donella Del Monaco (the niece of famous tenor Mario Del Monaco), pianist-composer Alfredo Tisocco, philosopher Giorgio Bisotto and producer Renato Marengo, and aided in the years by many other musicians, the group released their first album in 1974, Opus Avantra - Donella Del Monaco (often referred to as Introspezione, from the title of the first track) on the collectible Trident label. Usually considered their most accessible work, the album is built on classical-inspired themes with complex arrangements and dominated by the nice soprano voice of singer Del Monaco and good flute playing, with just an instrumental track, Rituale. The band also had a good live activity promoting their album in Veneto and Rome.
Donella Del Monaco was absent on the second album Lord Cromwell (plays suite for seven vices), that follows in the same style as the previous work, being replaced by an american chorus. Former Nuova Idea drummer Paolo Siani played on this album, that like the first one contains some interesting passages for the adventurous listeners.
Both Alfredo Tisocco (along with Gruppo Italiano di Danza Libera in 1975's Katharsis) and Donella Del Monaco (with 12 canzoni da battello in 1977 and Schoenberg Kabarett in 1978) also released individual albums in the same vein, and the duo reunited under the name Opus Avantra for a third album in 1989, Strata, and a CD-only fourth release in 1995, Lyrics.
2008 saw the reunion of Opus Avantra with Donella Del Monaco, Alfredo Tisocco, Giorgio Bisotto and other musicians, for a concert in Japan in April, based on material from all their albums. Hopefully this will repeated for other live exhibitions and new recordings.

The first two Opus Avantra albums are very rare and expensive in their original issues, while the third is more common. All of them came in gatefold covers.
Opus Avantra - Donella Del Monaco was officially reissued on vinyl in 2008 by BTF.Before this reissue others had been released:one of these is probably a counterfeit, very similar to the original but easily identifiable by the usual distinctive elements (see Trident page for details). A 1988 reissue also exists (year appears on the label) with a glossy cover, and this seems a legitimate repressing taken from the original master: the matrix number and release date on vinyl are machine-stamped and SIAE stamp is there. Some copies of this reissue have the labels inverted on both sides of the vinyl (the A-side label is on the B-side).Another edition of the same reissue exists which was customized for export to Japan; this has a smooth cardboard gatefold cover, easily identifiable by the english text on back "Distributed for Japan by Marquee". It also includes an insert with the original lyrics and the japanese translations.
Even Lord Cromwell had a reissue on the same Suono label as the original, this label kept releasing records until the 80's. At least two different reissues exist, one with the "Distributed for Japan by Marquee" writing on back cover was made in 1988 for export in collaboration with the japanese record shop Marquee, which added a lyric sheet and a foldout insert, the other one is identical to the original and even carries the old printer's name and distribution credits ("Grafica Centonze - Como" and "Distribuito da Ariston") so it looks like the cover has been printed from an original matrix (or an original cover has been photographed, as in the best bootleg tradition!).Any details helping to tell originals from the reissues are well accepted!
Two beautiful 4-CD compilation box sets have been recently released by Akarma:Opus Magnum collects the first three Opus Avantra albums (with a bonus track each) along with Alfredo Tisocco's Katharsis (played with Gruppo Italiano di Danza Libera);Omega includes two more albums from Alfredo Tisocco, Ritagli d'anima and Ballet collection, and two from Opus Avantra, 1995's Lyrics and Live concerts excerpts, an unreleased live album with 1977-91 recordings (this CD has been later issued separately).The albums in this box sets have all mini gatefold covers reproducing the original artworks, and some of them also include an insert. Each box set also includes a foldout insert.
A recent CD reissue of Opus Avantra - Donella Del Monaco on the japanese Arcangelo label (ARC-7005) comes with a hard mini-LP cover. (italianprog)

ROBERTO COLOMBO-BOTTE DA ORBI (1977, CD, ITALY)

2007-07-30T21:57:00.010+02:00

Tracklist:
1. Ascolta si fa sera 5'15
2. Botte da orbi 1'54
3. Fiato alle trombe 5'46
4. Dai, non fare il romantico 4'39
5. Alegher alegher 5'42
6. Danza disumana 4'53
7. Il ritorno di Likembe 6'07
8. Fine del trenta-tre 1'20

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I search desperatly the third Roberto Colombo LP "Astrolimpix" (1980), please if someone has this registration PLEASE contact me! THANKS!!!

ROBERTO COLOMBO - SFOGATEVI BESTIE (1976, LP, ITALY)

2007-07-30T19:38:00.007+02:00

Great prog from italy! Recently reissue the two Roberto Colombo works (Sfogatevi bestie and Botte da Orbi) with fantastic combo plays 'a sorta' of incredible progressive-fusion-mediterranean-jazz. Very recommended for all prog fans!!!!!

Tracklist:
1. Sono pronto 2'19
2. Caccia alla Volpe 10'20
3. Entreneuse 6'35
4. Sfogatevi bestie 4'23
5. Assurdo parteI 1'57
6. Metronomo 138 8'26
7. Assurdo parteII 4'33

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ETHOS-OPEN UP (1977, LP, USA)

2007-07-23T20:33:00.006+02:00

ETHOS were an excellent 70’s US based 4 piece prog rock band whose second album “Open Up” remains a landmark album for this music lover. Fans of classic 70’s prog will love this album with their great epic passages (a la YES) with complex syncopation (aka SPOCK'S BEARD, GENTLE GIANT and KING CRIMSON) and pastoral moments full of the glorious mellotron. In many ways they remind me musically of a cross of FIREBALLET and YES. ETHOS were Brad Stephenson (bass, string bass, moog bass pedals), Mark Richards (percussion, moog drums), Michael Ponczek (mini moog, poly-moog, Hammond, organ, Rhodes piano, mellotron) and Wil Sharpe (acoustic and electric guitars). Their overall sound is full and rich with some real creative and challenging parts yet controlled and highly symphonic. A truely amazing little album that I recommed to all prog rock lovers. (James Unger).

Tracklist:
1. Pimp city (7:26)
2. Start anew (3:22)
3. U.V. Melody (0:32)
4. Memories (7:08)
5. The players (Of the game) (5:49)
6. Marathon II (5:24)
7. Sedona (4:07)
8. Close your eyes (5:45)

Musicians:
Michael Ponczek (keyboards), Mark Richards (percussion), Will sharpe (guitars, voice), Brad Stephenson (bass, voice).

"Open up" degli Ethos, è uno dei migliori album di prog sinfonico americano. Disco che segue "Ardour" del 1976 dove si intuiscono immediatamente le influenze dei Gentle Giant, Yes, Genesis e King Crimson pur mantenendo comunque una propria originalità, ancora più marcata, appunto, in questo secondo lavoro, più maturo a livello compositivo e negli arrangiamenti. Da segnalare, a testimonianza del valore del gruppo la partecipazione come supporter nelle turnè americane di Yes e King Crimson. Purtroppo "Open Up" non è mai stato ristampato su cd; esiste solo una edizione su Tachika Records, registrazione proveniente da vinile. Vivamente consigliato agli amanti del prog classico, o meglio della buona musica..
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