August 17, 2007

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

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

Pocket Orchestra ‎– Knēbnagäuje (2005, CD, Usa)


Tracklist:
1. Imam Bialdi (6:25)
2. R. V. (7:02)
3. Regiments (14:55)
4. Letters (13:53)
5. Blueing (7:10)
6. White Organ Meats (7:03)
7. Grandma Coming Down The Hall With A Hatchet (5:33)
8. Bagon (16:48)

Musicians:
Bass – Tim Lyons
Cello – Bill Johnston
Clarinet, Saxophone, Vocals – Joe Halajan
Drums – Bob Stearman
Flute – Craig Fry (tracks: 1-7)
Guitar – Tim Parr
Keyboards – Craig Bork
Saxophone – Jack Chandler (tracks: 2-5, 2-6)
Tabla – Warren Ashford (tracks: 1-7)

Releases information
CD release of two unreleased demo tapes by MIO records.
The biggest surprise is the wonderful weired music which is difficult to describe. Imagine very talented and fun spirited musicians mix in their own way something that sounds like Henry Cow, Univers Zero, National Health, Matching Mole, Von Zamla, Soft Machine, musique concrete, a big portion of madness and unpredictability and in smaller doses Zappa, Gentle Giant. This complex madness with a method is in my eyes and ears an extravagant and beautiful planet everybody should discover in the widths of the avant-prog universe.

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)

P.O.N. ‎– P.O.N. (1995, CD, Japan)

August 16, 2007

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

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

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

Fireballet ‎– Two, Too... (1976, LP, Usa)

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

Fireballet ‎– Night On Bald Mountain (1975, LP, Usa)

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).

July 30, 2007

Roberto Colombo ‎– Botte Da Orbi (1977, CD, Italy)

Tracklist:
1. Ascolta Si Fa Sera (5:13)
2. Botte Da Orbi (1:52)
3. Fiato Alle Trombe (5:42)
4. Dai Non Fare Il Romantico (4:36)
5. Alegher Alegher (5:42)
6. Danza Disumana (4:53)
7. Il Ritorno Di U Kembe (6:07)
8. Fine Del Trentatre (1:20)

Repost

Roberto Colombo ‎– Sfogatevi Bestie (1976, CD, Italy)

Tracklist:
1. Sono Pronto (2:20)
2. Caccia Alla Volpe (10:20)
3. Entreneuse (6:37)
4. Sfogatevi Bestie (4:26)
5. Assurdo Pt. I (1:57)
6. Metronomo 138 (8:27)
7. Assurdo Pt. II (4:30) 
 

July 23, 2007

Ethos ‎– Open Up (1977, LP, Usa)

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 / Hammond organ, MiniMoog, PolyMoog, Chamberlin, Rhodes
Wils Sharpe / electric & acoustic guitars, vocals
Brad Stephenson / bass, double bass, bass pedals, vocals
Mark Richards / percussion, Moog, vocals


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 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).

Circus - Circus (1976, LP, Switzerland)

Side A
1. Stormsplineter (2:45)
2. Nowadays (10:49)
3. Sundays (6:56)
Side B
4. Dawntalk (5:07)
5. Room For Sale (15:07)

Musicians:
Roland Frei / lead vocals, 6- & 12-string acoustic guitars, tenor saxophone
Andres Grieder / flute
Marco Cerletti / bass, bass pedals, guitar
Fritz Hauser / drums, vibes Releases information LP Zytglogge ‎- ZYT 208 (1976, Switzerland)


Coming from Basle (NW Switzerland on the language border between the Alemanics and the Romands), this unusual quartet of musicians has a strange line-up. Hauser is one of the better percussionists (still playing but in jazz bands nowadays), and bassist Cerletti (the only non-Alemanic in the band) is certainly excellent plays also acoustic guitar. The other two, Fri and Grieder, share the wind instruments with the vocals. That's it! No KB and almost no el. guitars, at least on the first two albums. This group is one of the real gems still unknown to most progheads, developing a fusion between classical and rock much like early MANEIGE did but also includes some influences from VDGG (mostly the sax but sometimes also the singing) and also KING CRIMSON to a lesser extent. While having some success locally, they only managed three studio albums of which the first two are now on CD. Of those two albums "Movin' On" is their best but their debut is also excellent.CIRCUS is certainly recommended to everyone who loves great interplay between musicians and to progheads not afraid of a little adventure in their musical endeavours

July 18, 2007

Northwind ‎– Distant Shores (1977, Digital file, Usa)


The original Northwind band was founded in 1968 by Roland Ernest and Jan Stepka. They were inspired originally by bands such as the Doors, Cream, the Moody Blues, the Beatles, and Procol Harum. Northwind was later heavily influenced by ELP, Yes, King Crimson, and Genesis. Echoes of these styles are found in the Distant Shores recordings. The band went through four membership changes. The first incarnation had drummer Steve White. In 1970 they created and performed an original rock opera entitled “Looking Back.” In 1972 they recorded an untitled demo album featuring the song “Last Day at Lokun.” Tom Iacaboni replaced Steve White on drums when Steve left the band to pursue the guitar. In 1974 Tom, Jan and Roland recorded the world famous (in collectors' circles) Northwind demo album in Roland's family's basement. This album is often erroneously referred to as “Woods of Zandor.” Tom was at heart a jazz drummer, and when he left Tim Cahill joined on drums and percussion. For a short period, Bob Pascoe contributed his rock guitar to Northwind's sound. Northwind then performed mostly in clubs and created a reputation in Canada. This period largely had the band playing covers of other rock bands' material. In 1977 returning to original music, Roland took over guitars and the band added the talents of Rob Foster on wind instruments. In 1978 the band recorded their magnum opus “Distant Shores” in Roland's family's basement in Sterling Heights, Michigan. One song, “Just Yesterday,” was released as part of a local radio station's compilation of Detroit area bands' music entitled “Home Grown.” Tim Cahill's religious calling conflicted with his perception of the rock and roll lifestyle leading him to leave secular musical performing. Howard Wells joined the band on drums and percussion for rehearsals while Roland and the band's manager Ron Geddish vainly persued a record contract. Northwind broke up in 1978 largely because of this failure. In the end, the “Distant Shores” songs were never performed outside of Roland's basement. Jan Stepka created this site in 2002 to keep Northwind's music and memory alive.
Repost

Flight ‎– Incredible Journey (1976, LP, Italy)

Tracklist:
1. Music Is (6:50)
2. 1929 (5:45)
3. First Impression (3:40)
4. Mystery Man (3:25)
5. 2003 (5:50)
6. Visions Of A Dream (3:50)
7. The Sands Of Time (4:30)
8. Rock 'N' Roll Star (3:52)

Musicians:
John Ray / bass
Ted Karczewski / guitar
Russell A. Dawber, Jr. / drums, percussion
Jim Michael "Fizzwah" Yaeger / keyboards
Pat Vidas / vocals, trumpet
 
 
FLIGHT was an eclectic jazz rock band from Florida led by American musician Pat VIDAS in the late 70's. They released three albums where the first two are an exceptional mixture of jazz rock with some symphonic influences. VIDAS was the very prominent and playful lead vocalist who also played brass instruments, which made FLIGHT sound not like a regular fusion band, but more like brass rock of CHICAGO inspired by EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER or even GENTLE GIANT, so their albums can be recommended to all who love very technical but at the same time accessible music.

July 16, 2007

Gruppo D'Alternativa - Ipotesi (1972, LP, Italy)


This band with a strange name and an unusual line-up is still less-known to many italian prog experts, yet their only album is surprisingly good and has very interesting moments. The weakest point is the singer's voice, squeaky and monotonous and with some spoken parts to connect the musical themes, but musically the band is competent and the album reveals some jazz-rock influences in the Canterbury vein (listen to some jazzy guitar parts or the use of bassoon). Acoustic parts are prevalent but there are sudden rhythm changes and complex arrangements and the album can be a nice surprise. The nine tracks are connected to form two long suites.
Gruppo d'Alternativa was based in Milan, and Ipotesi was conceived as a rock opera, and even represented at Teatro Uomo with good success. It was based on the death of a friend of the group's singer, in a road accident. The LP, released on Harvest, contained only a small part of the opera, that originally relied much more on improvisation, most of the band members being influenced by such jazz artists as Miles Davis. But it was not successful, and the record company asked the group to release a more commercial second album, causing their decision to take separate ways.
Little is known of the former group members after the end of GdA. Leonardo Dosso played for some time with Stormy Six, on their Cliché and L'apprendista albums, and after the end of his musical studies he dedicated to chamber music and formed the Arnold woodwind quintet, playing with them for over 20 years. He is also a bassoon teacher and collaborates with baroque music ensembles.
An album that's been ignored by many collectors for years, Ipotesi has never been reissued on vinyl, but it's not impossible to find though never particularly cheap.The nice gatefold cover is laminated, but non-laminated copies also exist, these being presumably, as in many other EMI issues, later pressings. No counterfeits exist nor foreign issues.
The only CD reissue ever made for this album is the one by AMS, released in 2007 with mini-LP gatefold cover.
Musicians: Tino Guasconi (vocals), Gianfranco Fumagalli (flute), Leonardo Dosso (bassoon, acoustic guitar), Rodolfo Pace (guitar), Roberto Romano (keyboards), Paolo Rizzi (bass), Nino Flenda (drums, percussion).

July 15, 2007

Ensemble Havadià ‎– '81-'82 (1981-82, CD, Italy)

Ensemble Havadià was a short-lived project captained by Milanese "jew atheist" Moni Ovadia, now a well-known stage actor and comedian, and closely related to "Gruppo Folk Internazionale" and Stormy Six's label "L'Orchestra". "'81-'82" collects the only two records issued by the band: the eponymous 1981 LP and the 1982 EP "Specchi".Irriverent, jocose and dynamic, this music is one of the highest peaks of the Italian "R.I.O." scene. The songs are exuberant chamber-rock divertissements, full of mockeries, calembours and sharp eccentricities. Nevertheless, the structures are extremely lucid and complicated: ubiquitous North-Italian folklore and fanfare elements clash with flabbergasting tempo shifts and early 900 classical references - daring layerings which unexpectably manage to keep light and funny; miles away from any self-indulgent prog-rock bluster.

Hermann Szobel - Hermann Szobel (1976, CD, Usa / Austria)

Hermann Szobel is/was a pianist and composer. He produced and recorded one album, titled "Szobel," at the age of 18, demonstrating, in the words of a "Down Beat" reviewer (9 September 1976), "a conception and technique far in advance of most musicians twice his age." According to the artist biography included with promotional copies of the album, Szobel was born in Vienna in 1958 and was "a child prodigy who began his classical training at the age of six" who "spent the majority of his practicing hours on pieces by Chopin." The bio states that pianists Martial Solal and Keith Jarrett were two major influences on his work. Szobel is a nephew of the late rock-concert promoter Bill Graham. "Szobel" features extremely complicated compositions comparable to those of Frank Zappa. The music is jazz-based but contains elements of rock and Western classical music. Szobel's impressive piano virtuosity is noticeable throughout the album. The other musicians on "Szobel" are Michael Visceglia on bass, Bob Goldman on drums, Dave Samuels on percussion including marimba and vibraphone, and Vadim Vyadro on tenor sax, clarinet, and flute. Obscure even when it was released (on Arista Records) in 1976, "Szobel" does not exist on CD. Hermann Szobel disappeared from the music world after this album and has never been heard from again.

July 14, 2007

Mamma Non Piangere - Musica Musica Bestiame E Benessere/ Sempre Avanti A Testa Bassa (1979-80, 2 LP, Italy)


MAMMA NON PIANGERE ‎– N.1 (Musica Bestiame E Benessere) 1979
MAMMA NON PIANGERE ‎– N. 2 (Sempre Avanti A Testa Bassa) 1980
Re-Up

Orchestra Njervudarov ‎– Con Le Orecchie Di Eros (1979, LP, Italy)



LATO A
1. Tot Stelle Reflex ‎– 4:18
2. Spleen, Codice Notturno ‎– 5:53
3. Una Baldoria Verticale ‎– 4:52
4. Tristessa ‎– 3:34
LATO B
1. Rapporto Njervudarov Sulla Teoria Degli Opposti Estremismi ‎– 2:52
2. Toujours L'Amour ‎– 4:42
3. Il Montaggio Delle Attrazioni / Sinfonia Erotica ‎– 6:32
    a L'Oscillazione Poetica 
    b Batte Il Tamburo.... Lentamente 
    c Fedeltà Al Respiro!

Musicians:
Adriano Pedini: Drums, Vibraphone, Flute, Percussion 
Roberto Costa: Electric Bass, Contrabass, Synthesizer, Trombone  
Bruno Mariani: Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Guitar Synthesizer, Percussion 
Piero Baldassarri: Electric Piano, Piano, Synthesizer 
Piergiorgio Bonafé: Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Cornet, Flute

Orchestra Njervudarov was formed in Bologna, though some of the members were from the Marche. The band nucleus existed since mid 70's under the name Frogs, playing a jazz-rock inspired from Soft Machine and Weather Report. The new name was chosen not long before the album release in 1979, and the group had a limited live activity.
Con le orecchie di Eros, the only recorded release by Orchestra Njervudarov, is an album with a very strange story, being well known by name to many italian prog fans throughout the words, though few of them had heard it, making it a sort of legendary (and difficult to find) record.
Released in 1979, probably in a limited quantity, by EMI, and badly promoted, the album is an unusual mix of Canterbury-inspired instrumental jazz prog (not unlike Picchio Dal Pozzo's albums), Zappa-esque sounds and atmospheres and even a touch of ironical new wave like in the long-titled Rapporto Njervudarov sulla teoria degli opposti estremismi (to be honest, this is the only track to sound totally out of place in the entire album, with crazy lyrics in the same vein as some "demential" italian punk bands of the late 70's).The LP has some very good and intense moments, though it's not particularly representative of the typical italian prog sound.
Bass player Roberto Costa has long collaborated with Lucio Dalla and other italian pop artists like Luca Carboni and Luca Barbarossa. Even guitarist Bruno Mariani has briefly played with Lucio Dalla, as well as with Ron, Samuele Bersani, Ornella Vanoni and others.Drummer Adriano Pedini still plays in the jazz field after having a long career as sessionman.
A rare album, Con le orecchie di Eros has never been reissued on vinyl nor CD. It has an odd number in the EMI catalogue, as the 3C064-18139 used for this record seems to be dated 1976 like Baricentro's Sconcerto from that year (no.3C064-18152). Probably the LP was given an unused old catalogue number. No counterfeits exist nor foreign vinyl issues. (italianprog)