Grencsó Tickmayer Duo ‎– Chamber Music (1990, LP, Ex-Jugoslavia)

This rare 1990 LP is the fruit of a collaboration between several individuals related to the Vojvodina area in Serbia, then a part of Yugoslavia. Pianist and composer István Kovács-Tickmayer, aka Stevan Kovacs Tickmayer, was born in 1963 of Hungarian origin in Nový Sad, the capital of Vojvodina. Kovacs Tickmayer founded Tickmayer Formatio in 1986 and relocated to France in 1991 to become the official composer of Josef Nadj’s dance performances in Orleans, France, and on tour, along members of the Formatio. The producer of this disc, choreographer Nagy József, aka Josef Nadj, was born in 1957 in Kanjiža, a Magyar-speaking town of Vojvodina. Kovács-Tickmayer met Hungarian saxophonist GrencsóIstván, aka Stevan Grencso, born 1956, during the 1980s, while playing with Hungarian improvisers from Nový Sad and Budapest. At the time, Stevan Grencso played in Hungarian free jazz bands Masina Jazz Group, founded in 1979, and Kollektiva, founded in 1984.

This meeting between Grencso and Kovacs Tickmayer took place during a live performance at Club Petőfi Sándor in Nový Sad (Újvidék in Magyar) on April 27, 1988. The LP was published in France on a short-lived label called Libelulla, of which it is apparently the sole release. The longuest piece here, Chamber Music IVis also the album’s piece de resistance. It starts with a wonderful saxophone+clarinet duet before Kovacs Tickmayer turns to melodica for a wonderfully unusual coupling with the saxophone. The track eschews any reference to free jazz and is indeed close to chamber or contemporary music, if only more timely and meditative.

Side A

A1 Chamber Music I

A2 Chamber Music II

A3 Chamber Music III

Side B 

B1 Chamber Music IV

B2 Chamber Music V

Credits:

István Grencsó: Alto Saxophone, Percussion, Vocals, Piano

 István Kovác Tickmayer: Piano, Harpsichord, Melodica, Bass, Clarinet, Percussionn Kovács 

Engineer: István Koncz

Producer: Josef Nadj

Note: Recorded live 27 April 1988 at Club Petőfi Sándor in Újvidék / Novi Sad

Egisto Macchi ‎– L'Assassinio Di Trotsky / Il Delitto Matteotti (1972-73, CD, Italy)

Egisto Macchi ha scritto due colonne sonore pregevoli per due film che raccontano fatti della storia dell'uomo, Intrise di grande drammaticità e dolore, L'assassinio di Trotsky diretto da Joseph Losey nel 1972 e Il delitto Matteotti, diretto da Florestano Vancini nel 1973. Tutta la forza della contemporaneità della musica di Egisto Macchi esplode violentemente come risultato del suo lavoro come membro di "Nuova Consonanza", una scuola musicale che influenza profondamente le due opere. Entrambe furono registrate in quegli studi per la prima volta e consente ai collezionisti di colonne sonore una possibilità di entrare un mondo nuovo ed affascinante, dove l'orchestra e straordinarie sonorità elettroniche sono unite. Per l'assassinio di Trotsky, Macchi ci dimostra il suo grande talento di musicista e compositore contemporaneo, I sette brani estratti dalla colonna sonora contengono straordinarie invenzioni musicali. Egisto Macchi ha creato per il suo "trotsky" un'alchimia di sonorità orchestrali ed elettroniche. La voce umana diventa nella colonna sonora uno strumento reale con il suo spessore.Si inserisce in un contesto evocativo ed il risultante magma di suoni sciocca e allo stesso tempo affascina l'ascoltatore. Una sussurro confuso si inserisce su di un tappeto di archi sul quale un tema triste per voci viene sviluppato. Un fischio elettronico duro e terribile domina il mix orchestra-coro. La tromba accompagnata da rullii di batteria dall'atmosfera spagnoleggiante, è seguita poi dalla ritorno di voci caotiche come sottofondo per gli archi ed il coro, mentre la tromba, più avanti ripresa, sembra svanire coperta nel magma di tonalità elettroniche. Il fischio elettronico, acuto e penetrante, insieme agli archi stridenti, sembra presagire all'imminente tragico evento. Macchi costruisce inquietanti passaggi musicali suonati dagli archi alla loro più alta tonalità che insieme ai suoni elettronici producono un'atmosfera tenebrosa. Altri momenti sonori emergono da un costante dialogo atonale tra gli strumenti a fiato in legno e le sezioni di archi. Per "il delitto Matteotti", Egisto Macchi ha costruito un'atmosfera molto drammatica, rinforzata da un'ottima performance dell'orchestra. Questo CD include 6 sequenze musicali che idealmente esprimono tutto il pathos dell' evento storico-politico. Sonorità orchestrali violente sono alternate con singolari suoni a fiato (sequenza 1). Una drammatica atmosfera è resa attraverso l'invenzione originale di scandire la consonante "R" insieme al rombare di un forte crescendo orchestrale dove gli archi intervengono solennemente (sequenza 2) L'orchestra gioca un rapido ed intenzionalmente caotico movimento mentre sullo sfondo di Pianoforte e batteria, gli archi suonano un motivo soggiogante quasi religioso, quindi il ritorno di ottoni percussioni e pianoforte sostenuto con l'effetto di riverberi di strumenti a fiato (sequenza 3).Il tema solenne quasi mistico è ripreso, poi gli archi creano momenti musicali di grossa intollerabilità , miscelandosi con una voce lontana e appena percettibile (sequenza 4). Il vivace suono di violoncelli è di nuovo di scena, più profondo e misterioso, il tema solenne e mistico, poi il Fortissimo crescendo orchestrale prima ascoltato conclude il pezzo (sequenza 5). Il dramma ed il dolore per l'omicidio di Matteotti sono descritti per l'ultima volta dal tema solenne-mistico che ora assume quasi il ruolo di un requiem per celebrare la morte dell'uomo (sequenza 6). Riassumendo il maestro Macchi è riuscito ad applicare ammirevolmente il concetto di musica contemporanea all'immagine cinematografica, un tipo di musica che diventa "colonna sonora della storia dell'uomo" e che è descrizione contemporanea di un evento politico-sociale attraverso l'affascinante acquerello di un pentagramma musicale. Questo cd può essere considerato il disegno di un artista.

Bekummernis ‎– NoSi (1984, LP, France)

Bekummernis was a french big band created by brothers Xavier and Luc Le Masne in 1982, comprising as much as 50 musicians and lasting till 1992. On other LPs, much space was devoted to improvisation, though on ‘NoSi’, the over 30 players-orchestra play large scale compositions written by Luc Le Masne (pictured left). A few solos remains, though, on saxophone or violin, contributing to the ensemble’s cheerfulness. The music is large ensemble jazz with echoes of Debussy, salsa and contemporary music. The orchestra comprises horns and winds aplenty, but also strings, piano and percussion, the latter including Gong’s Mireille Bauer, unmissable on marimba. Track #5 is actually a symphony albeit very contrasted, incorporating salsa, impressionist orchestral passages and jazz. The LP is a delight to listen to and engagingly incorporates exciting jazz with lively contemporary music.

Side A

A1. Transit 1er mouvement (5:45)

A2. Transit 2e mouvement (2:40)

A3. Transit 3e mouvement (5:34)

A4. Bekummernis (5:10)

Side B

B1. NoSi Part I-V (19:03) 19:03

Recorded at studio Acousti, Paris, between June and Septembre 1984

Co-produit par le Centre d’Action Culturelle Pablo Neruda de Corbeil-Essonnes (qui a collé un sticker sur la pochette pour le faire savoir). Le mot allemand Bekümmernis se traduit par « souci » ou « peine ». Les fans de Magma, d’Art Zoyd, de Zappa (version musique sérieuse), de King Crimson et de Gong (époque Moerlen) devraient pouvoir facilement retrouver leurs marques dans ce disque, dans la mesure où la musique s’approvisonne aux mêmes sources (Stravinsky, Bartok, Varèse, le jazz coltranien et davisien, etc…), avec une affection marquée pour la répétition obsessionnelle de phrases musicales passablement compliquées, à ceci près que c’est joué par un « vrai » orchestre d’une quarantaine de personnes (parmi lesquels Youenn Le Berre et Mireille Bauer) dirigé par le compositeur (Luc Le Masne). Plutôt joyeux malgré le nom…

Space Circus ‎– Fantastic Arrival (1979, LP, Japan)

A surprisingy unknown group from Osaka that released two albums in the 70's; SPACE CIRCUS was a quartet where the members on both albums were bassist Hajime OKANO, drummer Yoshikazu OGAWA and guitarist Yukinao SANO . Except switching keyboard players, between the two albums they also changed their sound as well, going from clasic fusion to giving a nod to space rock on the second album. Okano Hajime's guitar playing can also be very reminiscent of Andrew LATIMER, so SPACE CIRCUS can be recommended to fans of CAMEL and even DIXIE DREGS. To OKANO we can be thanful for the recent reissuing of these excelent albums and adding some bonus live material.

Songs / Tracks Listing
1. Heavy Duty Space Dragon (5:43)
2. Demon Blast (5:50)
3. Acryl Dream (7:40)
4. Pot People (6:13)
5. The Dawn of Aquarius Age (10:23)
6. Arcadia (4:48)
7. Fantastic Arrival (10:00)
Total Time 50:37

Line-up / Musicians
Okano Hajime / bass
Ogawa Yoshikazu / drums
Sano Yukinao / guitar
Takashi Toyoda / keyboard, violin

Le Sensazioni ‎– Doctor Faust Suite (1981, LP, Italy)

LE SENSAZIONI was a short-lived five-piece outfit that formed in Padua in 1978. Under the artistic direction of bassist Mauro Moschin they recorded and released their only album ''Doctor Faust Suite'' in 1981 before disbanding some time later. There's a marked dichotomy between prog rock and pop music on the two sides of the LP but the story behind the album's creation helps to explain the disparity in musical styles.
The album was dedicated to Italian painter Dario Serra; in fact, the organisers of an exhibition devoted to the artist's work asked LE SENSAZIONI to provide programme music to accompany the event. Serra had previously set up a theatre company and among his productions were several operas/musical theatres using marionettes. He based one of these puppet theatres on the tragicomedy ''The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus'' by Christopher Marlowe (a contemporary of Shakespeare) hence the reason for the Faust-inspired album by LE SENSAZIONI.
The exhibition organisers required a lengthy piece, dark in mood to reflect the subject matter of necromancy, Faust's pact with Lucifer and his final damnation. The end result is the album's symphonic title-suite, a mainly instrumental work where the story of magic and apparitions unfolds through a blending of serious and light moods dominated by keyboards and Margherita Garagnini's wavering violin lines.
The band was mainly influenced by the likes of PFM and BANCO DEL MUTUO SOCCORSO but this piece shows they had a genuine talent for dark progressive. The suite proved so successful that the band was offered the chance to record a full album but the producers wanted the recording completed within fifteen days and there was an additional requirement for it to have commercial appeal. As a consequence the second side is marred by the inclusion of several short pop tracks.
LE SENSAZIONI promoted the album through radio interviews and appearances on primetime television. They also started work on new songs in the prog rock vein and conducted a series of concerts with the new material, but subsequently split up. This band fits well into the context of the second wave of RPI and ''Doctor Faust Suite'' is another lost gem from the bottomless barrel of Italian prog, one that will hopefully see a CD reissue.

Studio Album, released in 1981

Side A

A1. Doctor Faust Suite (Omaggio A Dario Serra) (17:49)

Side B

B1. Sensazioni Noi (3:43)

B2. Riflessioni D'Autunno (5:03)

B3. Lenta Un'Idea (3:43)

B4. Giochi D'Età (2:49)

Line-up / Musicians

Mauro Moschin / vocals, bass

Margherita Garagnini / vocals, violin

Maurizio Santato / guitar, vocals

Sergio Pietruschi / keyboards, vocals

Valerio Poncini / drums, vocals

Maurizio Santato racconta su Arlequins forum: "eravamo un gruppo che nel 1980 aveva cominciato a lavorare nelle discoteche, quindi potete immaginare che tipo di musica si doveva fare.....dance, sudamericani e canzoni italiane....! Non era male ,almeno ti pagavano bene e si potevano acquistare strumenti buoni....i primi minimoog e le gibson les paul accessibili a persone non miliardarie!!!! Ma la nostra vera anima e la musica che ognuno di noi ascoltava era il rock progressivo PFM , Banco ecc. ma non avevamo mai pensato di fare della musica nostra, in quanto non sarebbe stato possibile farla sentire a nessuno! Vi assicuro che in quel periodo era difficile proporsi in maniera alternativa....c'era la dance-music che spopolava. Ma un bel giorno ci offrirono l'opportunità di suonare alla presentazione di una mostra di un pittore alquanto strano...All'inizio pensavamo alla solita rottura di balle .... Avremmo dovuto suonare in un castello vicino a Padova in una cornice molto dark per quel tempo a patto di comporre una " canzone " (come la chiamarono i committenti )in tema con le opere del pittore Dario Serra ,famoso per delle maschere raffiguranti Doctor Faust e delle Carte da Musica in acquerello molto molto particolari! piccolo problema....il tutto tra una settimana!!!!! quindi giù all'opera io e il tastierista ( che poi avrebbe suonato con Giorgia, Baglioni, U.Smaila Band ecc.) a preparare questa suite che poteva durare anche mezz'ora....potevamo mettere dentro e fare quello che volevamo....grasso che colava per noi!!!Nel giro di un paio di giorni tra parole e musica la suite era pronta....Magico...ci avrebbero pagato un service audio e luci per questa esibizione. Bene il risultato fu davvero ottimo tant'è che ci offrirono di incidere al più presto un LP ....aribene....ma altro problema....nella facciata B cosa ci mettavamo? La fretta degli organizzatori e produttori era enorme e si dovette andare in studio a Milano dopo altri 15 giorni....quindi la scelta cadde sulla possibilità di fare qualcosa di commerciale che potesse favorirci come introduzione nelle discoteche....errore madornale pensarlo adesso . Comunque si partì per Milano e in 2 giorni...sentito bene? 2 giorni si incise il tutto (con un mio raffrddore e febbre 39 molto evidente sulle parti cantate). Se non altro ci servì subito per raddoppiare il nostro cachet nelle sale . fare interviste nelle radio locali, diversi passaggi nelle TV locali e RAI 3....e cominciare subito a preparare brani nuovi sempre nel versante progressivo. Con questo nuovo materiale facemmo una serie di concerti in teatri del veneto che avrebbe potuto dare una spinta al tutto ma come in ogni buona famiglia successe il patatrac........dopo neanche 6 mesi per questioni personali ** ometto i particolari ovviamente *** all'interno del gruppo ci sciogliemmo!!!! Sembra strano ma successe proprio così. Tanta fatica, qualche soddisfazione insperata per un'eventuale lancio ma credetemi...nessun rammarico...e partimmo tutti per strade musicali parallele e ogni tanto ci si ritrova ancora". Un saluto da Maurizio e Margherita

Фирюза ‎[Firyuza] – Фирюза Инструментальный ансамбль Фирюза (1979, LP, USSR/ Turkmenistan) Repost!

Firyuza was a Turkmenian ethnic/prog/jazz/fusion instrumental band, founded in 1979 in USSR under the artistic direction of pianist and organist Dmitry Sablin. Firyuza won the first prize at The Sixth All-Union Entertainers Competition (VI Всесоюзный конкурс артистов эстрады) in Leningrad, thus gaining a privilege to release an album on Melodiya.
The eponymous album was very progressive, blending improvised prog-rock and psychedelic jazz fusion with strong ethnic flavors. Seven band members imitated sounds of traditional Turkmen instruments, such as dutar, dili tuiduk, and g'ijjak, on regular keyboards, guitars, saxophone, flute, and violin.
As an instrumental group, especially with a favorable image of a "national ethnic ensemble from one of the Soviet republics" (hence the band members wearing traditional telpek fur hats on the cover), Firyuza got a pass on censorship and were provided with a full artistic freedom. Just the fact that the album has a classic prog-style format with only four 8-min tracks is noteworthy enough for a record released in USSR in the 1970s.
The record was pressed in Tashkent, at the plant which had been producing some of the smallest Melodiya editions, and never got re-issued. That's why original copies in decent condition are very rare nowadays, bumping the price up to $500-600 and making Firyuza one of the "holy grails" of Soviet psych jazz from Central Asia among Western record collectors, together with Gunesh and Dos-Mukasan LPs.
In 1980, the band also released a split tape with Gunesh (Melodiya, CM 00833), which included three tracks from the album. "Firyuza" was placed on a list of 50 vinyl records to be re-released as a part of 50-th Melodiya anniversary in 2014.

Side A
A1. Ашхабад (Ashkhabad) (7:43)
A2. Край Родной (Native Land) (9:46)
Side B
B1. Чапыксуар (Chapyksuar) (8:33)
B2. Диалог В Ауле (Dialog In Aul) (7:44)

Dmitry Sablin – piano, organ
Evgeniy Nochevny – guitar
Mikhail Mamedov – guitar
Sabir Rizayev – saxophone, flute
Alik Niyachenko – bass guitar
Igor Gordeev – drums
Khana Ten - violin

Musicians

Дмитрий Саблин 〈Dmitry Sablin〉 - Piano, Organ

Игорь Гордеев (Igor Gordeev) - Drums

Евгений Ночевный (Evgeniy Nochevny) - Guitar

Михаил Мамедов (Mikhail Mamedov) - Guitar

Сабир Ризаев 〈Sabir Rizayev〉 - Saxophone, Flute
Алик Нифченко (Alec Nifchenko) - Bass

Хана Тэн (Khana Ten) - Violin

Toni Esposito ‎– Processione Sul Mare (1976, LP, Italy)

This is the second outing from this wildly gifted and wide ranging Italian prog/fusion drummer (a one time member of both St. Just and Alan Sorrenti's band as well as Luciano Cilio's collaborator on Dell'Universo Assente) catches Esposito at a real creative peak. The arrangements, stereo imaging and the endless peppering of pinprick percussive detailing make it plain that this is a drummers album, though Processione Sul Mare is an absolute master class in dynamic sense from all parties involved and overflows with that tell tale quality of airy, fluid and life giving expansiveness that you find in so much of the best Italian fusion of that time from Area to Perigeo to Napoli Centrale.

Põhja Konn - Põhja Konn (2016 CD + 2018 2x LP, Estonia)

My Facebook friend Henri Roosipõld some days ago write me on behalf an Estonian prog rock band Põhja Konn. He writes "..I’m sending you a video single „Ümarruut“ which was recorded during Põhja Konn's video session at Ö Stuudio, would be great to know your opinion on it. Cheers, Henri".

I listen to the whole album and I'm very surprised... This is really good music!!

So, I'm very happy to promote their debut album

Henri introduces me to the group:
PÕHJA KONN translates as Northern Frog - a mythological creature derived from the Devil figure in Biblical semantics, which was later transformed into a dragon-like beast in Estonian folklore.
The Estonian group started in 2009, rehearsing together with occasional performances until early 2011, when the band went on hiatus.
Out of the blue in 2015 came an invitation from the Estonian Writers’ Association to produce and release an album, setting classic Estonian 20th Century poetry to rock music in the progressive idiom of this exciting new band.
The band was originally given eight poems by Betti Alver (Estonian poetess), whose 110th birthday was celebrated on the band’s debut album’s „Põhja Konn“ release date in 2016. The band had substantial creative liberty in setting these texts to music and, never having recorded their previous body of work, PÕHJA KONN reignited the fires of their yet unrecorded music with the addition of four new tracks using Betti Alver’s poems, which together comprised their debut album „Põhja Konn“. PÕHJA KONN was nominated as the Band of The Year and their debut album was nominated as the Debut and Rock Album of The Year by Estonian Music Awards in 2017.
In February 2018 PÕHJA KONN released a double vinyl „Põhja Konn“.

Band members:
Valter Soosalu – vocals, keyboards
Jürgen Kütner – guitar
Kristen Kütner – guitar
Siim Avango – bass guitar
Ott Adamson – drums

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discography: 

Põhja Konn „Põhja Konn“ CD 

(Released November 2016)
Tracklist:
1) Võitlus (music: Jürgen Kütner/Valter Soosalu/Siim Avango; lyrics: Jakob Liiv) (5:35)
2) Põhja Konn (music: Valter Soosalu; lyrics: Valter Soosalu) (4:05)
3) Tähetund (music: Valter Soosalu; lyrics: Betti Alver) (4:03)
4) Ärkamine (music: Valter Soosalu; lyrics: Jürgen Kütner) (5:39)
5) Hulkuv laev (music: Valter Soosalu; lyrics: Betti Alver) (5:22)
6) Pigilind (music: Valter Soosalu; lyrics: Betti Alver) (4:00)
7) Ümarruut (music: Valter Soosalu; instrumental) (6:03)
8) Mängivad pillid, kuu on vees (music: Valter Soosalu/Jürgen Kütner; lyrics: Karl Ristikivi) (5:57)
9) Selle ilma igav kainus (music: Valter Soosalu; lyrics: Betti Alver) (4:26)
10) Ilu (music: Valter Soosalu; lyrics: Lydia Koidula) (5:14)
11) Kas ma Eestit unes nägin? (music: Jürgen Kütner/Valter Soosalu/ Robin Juhkental; lyrics: Juhan Liiv) (3:42)
Total length: (54:06)

Põhja Konn „Põhja Konn“ Gatefold 2 LP(Released February 2018)
Tracklist
A-side (16:57) - black
„Suurest haardest“ (music: Karmo Nigula/ Valter Soosalu/Martin Kikas; lyrics: Betti Alver)
„Võitlus“ (music: Jürgen Kütner/Valter Soosalu/Siim Avango; lyrics: Jakob Liiv)
„Põhja Konn“ (music: Valter Soosalu; lyrics: Valter Soosalu)
„Hulkuv laev“ (music: Valter Soosalu; lyrics: Betti Alver)

B-side (15:05) - black
„Mitte viirastus, meeltepett“ (music: Lauri Kaldoja/Valter Soosalu/Martin Kikas; lyrics Betti Alver)
„Pigilind“ (music: Valter Soosalu; lyrics Betti Alver)
„Ärkamine“ (music: Valter Soosalu; lyrics: Jürgen Kütner)
„Tähetund“ (music: Valter Soosalu; lyrics: Betti Alver)

C-side (14:05) - white
„Ümarruut“ (music: Valter Soosalu; instrumental)
„Mängivad pillid, kuu on vees“ (music: Valter Soosalu/Jürgen Kütner; lyrics: Karl Ristikivi)
„Külm puhang lõõtsub“ (music: Andres Ots/Valter Soosalu/Martin Kikas; lyrics: Betti Alver)

D-side (15:00) - white
„Hääled“ (music: Anu Lamp/Valter Soosalu/ Martin Kikas; lyrics: Betti Alver)
„Selle ilma igav kainus“ (music: Valter Soosalu; lyrics: Betti Alver)
„Ilu“ (music: Valter Soosalu; lyrics: Lydia Koidula)
„Kas ma Eestit unes nägin?“ (music: Jürgen Kütner/Valter Soosalu/Robin Juhkental; lyrics: Juhan Liiv)

Enjoy it!!

Gaetano Liguori / Giulio Stocchi / Demetrio Stratos ‎– La Cantata Rossa Per Tall El Zaatar (1977, CD, Italy)

Demetrio Stratos from Area teamed up with jazz musicians Gaetano Liguori anf Giulio Stocchi for this special album released back in 1976, after the Tall El Zaatar massacre in Palestine. Stratos delivers the sung words (and the guttural excursions) together with Concetta Busacca while bassist Roberto Del Piano and drummer Pasquale Liguori are heads of the jazzy rhythm section. G. Ligouri's piano playing is minimalistic and nice in a contemporary classical way. Sometimes the album even reaches the heights of Pholas Dactylus' Concerto della Menti'

Lato A
A1. Fedayn (1:32)
A2. I 53 Giorni (4:05)
A3. Libertà Subito (8:15)
A4. Amna (2:12)
Lato B
B1. Piccolo Fadh (2:29)
B2. La Madre (7:08)
B3. Sulle Macerie (4:16)
B4. La Cantata Rossa (2:42)
B5. Fedayn (1:35)

Musicians
Demetrio Stratos - Vocals
Giulio Stocchi - Words/ Voice
Roberto Del Piano - Bass
Pasquale Liguori - Drums
Gaetano Liguori - Piano
Concetta Busacca - Vocals

Recorded in october 1976 at Studio Zanibelli, Milan - Italy.
Mastered at Massive Arts Studio.
Originally released in 1977

Гунеш / Gunesh Ensemble ‎– Вижу Землю / Looking At The Earth (1984, LP, USSR)

Founded in 1970 in Ashkhabad, Turkmen SSR, Soviet Union, the band was established still in Soviet Turkmenistan as vocal band with some support musicians by Turkmenistan State Radio and TV company. Later more young musicians came to play and band's music became more modern. At that time characteristic style was formed as mix of traditional Central Asian mugams and jazz rock arrangements. With such music band participated in some popular festivals around Soviet Union, received some trophies and became popular. Their first LP was released in 1980 at soviet state label "Melodyja" and contained traditional central Asian music in jazz-rock arrangements plus Vietnamese singer. Second LP was released after 4 years. Music there was more modern, and it became very popular all around the country. Later these two LP's were re-released on "Rishad Shafi presents Gunesh" CD. Band participated in many jazz-festivals all around Eastern Europe, Africa and Central Asia. Second CD ( or third album) was recorded in 1990 only.
Line-up was changed many times, around 65 musicians have been a band's members in different time, and in fact soon became drummer Rishad Shafi and team of often changed musicians band.

Side A

A1. Байконур / Baikonur (5:02) 

A2. Бу Дерды / Bu Derdy (7:44) 

A3. Восточный Экспресс / Oriental Express (3:32)

Side B

B1. Ритмы Кавказа / Rhythms Of The Caucasus (8:25) 

B2. Ветер С Берегов Ганга / Wind From The Gang (4:32) 

B3. Вьетнамские Фрески / Vietnamese Frescoes (4:20) 

Line-up / Musicians

Oleg Korolev / keyboards, group leader

Rishad Shafiev (Shafi) / drums, percussion

Mikhail Loguntsov / guitar, copus (komuz), hitar (dutar)

Vladimir Belousov / bass

Shamil Kurmanov / trumpet

Alexander Stasukevich / trumpet

Yusif Aliev / trombone

Stanislav Morozov / tenor saxophone

Vakhid Rizaev / soprano & alto saxophones

Hassan Mamedov / violin

Stepan Stepanyants / keyboards

New Trolls ‎– Atomic System (1973, CD, Italy)

Unique in the history of Italian progressive music, NEW TROLLS were leaders and were for a time the top band in Italy. In 1973, NEW TROLLS split into two camps, the hard-rocking IBIS and the symphonic-oriented NEW TROLLS ATOMIC SYSTEM. They crossed many different permutations of line-up changes, many musical stylings... and great hits, passing through beat, pop ballads, progressive rock works, hard rock, and melodic pop followed groups like GENESIS and PFM.

After the breakup of NEW TROLLS in 1972, Vittorio De Scalzi formed his own group, NT ATOMIC SYSTEM. They released two very different albums. The first LP is a classic rock with a large use of horns instruments and with syncopated melodies full of breaks in the rhythms. This record is in the same the best VAN DER GRAAF GENERATOR or KING CRIMSON, with sharp saxophone solos or free organ parts. Another album you must add to your collection! "Tempi Dispari" is totally instrumental album recorded live in jazz-rock vein, very far from the NEW TROLLS sound. N.T. ATOMIC SYSTEM disbanded after the second album for a new chapter in NEW TROLLS story.

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. La Nuova Predica Di Padre O'Brien (6:40)

2. Ho Visto Poi (7:28)

3. Tornare A Credere (8:30)

4. Ibernazione (5:45)

5. Quando L'Erba Vestiva La Terra (7:15)

6. Butterfly (8:05)

Bonus track on 1976, 1988 & 1996 reissues:

7. Una Notte Sul Monte Calvo (Night On The Bare Mountain) (1973 Single) (3:30)

Line-up / Musicians

Vittorio De Scalzi / guitar, flute, piano, ARP synth, spinet, vocals

Renato Rosset / piano, Moog, Hammond, Mellotron, electric piano

Giorgio Baiocco / tenor sax, flute, Eminent

Giorgio D'Adamo / bass

Tullio De Piscopo / drums

Ramasandiran Somusundaram / percussion

With:

Giulietta / backing vocals

Annarita Pirastu / backing vocals

Piero Darini / backing vocals (6)

P.F.S. ‎– P.F.S. (1984, Cassette, Usa)

Songs

A1. Ghosts of the Luftwaffe (6:41)
A2. America (14:56)
A3. Reverie (2:42)
B1 Phalanx (14:00)
B2. No More Tomorrow (14:17)

Musicians
Scott Brazieal / keyboards, tapes
Gary Parra / percussion, toys
Craig Fry / violin, french horn, trumpet
Herb Diamant / wind instruments, performance
Morgansix / performance

Releases information:
Twelve Tone Productions 1984
Cassette-only release
Recorded live at Centerspace Studios, San Francisco, November 20 1983

Ennio Morricone ‎– Dimensioni Sonore 7 - Musiche Per L'Immagine E L'Immaginazione (1972, LP, Italy)

Composer, Arranger, Conductor - Ennio Morricone

Catalogo Di Musiche Per Sonorizzazioni Series of library music release under RCA Italiana

England ‎– Box of Circles (2017, CD, England)

The music on this album has taken a long while to finalise. One or two tracks have appeared as 'bonus tracks' on previous England albums, but now for the first time the 'concept album', if we dare use that term, is complete. Many guest singers and instrumentalists have added their musicianship to the original 1977 line up. So... Marc Atkinson (of Riversea), Jenny Darren, and Henry Dagg (to name a few) appear. Additionally, later band members from the Baja Festival days (2006), Al Johnson, Maggie Alexander and Steve Laffy have been a major influence in the development of ideas. As is conventional in defining 'progressive rock music', there is a strong western classical music influence: classical choir singing (Sjaak vander Bent, Baritone), 'early music' singing (Clara and Nina Kanter), and symphonic keyboard ideas, mostly on 'authentic analogue instruments' such as the Mellotron and Minimoog synthesiser. Extra-ordinary ideas, extra-ordinarily performed.

Pascal Duffard ‎– Dieu Est Fou (1976, LP, France)

PASCAL DUFFARD released just one album, 1976's "Dieu est Fou" ("God is Insane"). Sadly, there is little information readily available about the pianist-lyricist-composer, but the LP has become highly collectible. For this dramatic avant-zeuhlish rock operatic concept album -- which includes chanson and operatic vocals with a good dose of wackiness -- he worked with many respected session players (musicians and singers) from France; including a number of artists who had worked with MAGMA and ZAO. Eighteen musicians contributed to the project, including Yochk'o Seffer and Mauricia Platon of ZAO, Francis Moze of MAGMA, as well as acclaimed trumpeter Pierre Thibaud. In 1974 Pascal Duffard had collaborated with pop-artist Pascal Lami for the funky jazz single "L'amour a Trois". Like "Dieu est Fou", many session musicians were utilized for the recording. This included Francis Moze and Mauricia Platon who were to later work with Duffard on "Dieu est Fou".

"Dieu est Fou" should thrill those that enjoy chanson infused jazzy Zeuhl-related avant rock operas. Progarchive

Angelo Branduardi ‎– Gulliver, La Luna E Altri Disegni (1980, LP, Italy)

Songs

1. La luna (2:49)

2. Tanti Anni Fa (5:06) 

3. Donna Mia (2:50)

4. Gli Alberi Sono Alti (4:09) 

5. Notturno (4:51)

6. Gulliver (4:11)

7. Rifluisce Il Fiume (4:29)

8. Confessioni di un malandrino (3:33)

9. Primavera (3:26)

10. La Danza (4:09)

Musicians

Angelo Branduardi / violin, classical guitar, flute, percussion

Maurizio Fabrizio / electric and acoustic guitars, mandolin, percussion, quatro

Bruno De Filippi / bouzouki, quatro, guitar, sitar, banjo, harmonica

Gigi Cappellotto / electric bass

Andy Surdi / drums

Mike Logan / keyboards

Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso ‎– Un'Idea Che Non Puoi Fermare (2014, 2xCD, Italy)

CD 1

1. In volo (Live 2012) (0:40)

2. R.I.P., Pt.1 (Live 2012) (4:22)

3. R.I.P., Pt. 2 (Live 2012) (4:42)

4. Canto di primavera (Live 2013) (4:38)

5. Dopo niente è più lo stesso (3:26)

6. E mi viene da pensare (Live 2013) (7:24)

7. Cento mani e cento occhi (Live 2012) (6:46)

8. Interno città (2:31)

9. Bisbigli (Live 2013) (3:11)

10. Nudo, Pt. 3 (2:14)

11. Nudo, Pt. 2 (Live 2012) (5:30)

12. Sirene, Pt. 2 (2:03)

13. Guardami le spalle (4:13)

14. A cena per esempio (1:38)

15. Pioverà (1:59)

16. Canto nomade per un prigioniero politico (Live 2013) (5:19)

Total time 60:36

CD 2

1. L'evoluzione (Live 2013) (0:35)

2. Passo dopo passo / Con i capelli sciolti al vento (Medley: Il giardino del mago) (8:08)

3. Emiliano (Live 2013, Extended Version) (5:03)

4. Niente (Extended Version) (3:55)

5. Non mi rompete (Live 2013, Acoustic Extended Version) (8:04)

6. Paolo, Pa (2:38)

7. Il ragno (Live 2013) (5:39)

8. Michele e il treno (4:09)

9. Frevo (Live 2013) (6:46)

10. Tirami una rete (Live 2013) (5:08)

11. Magari che (Gargarismo) (3:33)

12. 750.000 anni fa... l'amore? (Live 2012) (8:19)

13. Traccia 1 (Live 2013) (3:22)

Total time 65:19

Line-up / Musicians

Francesco Di Giacomo / vocals

Vittorio Nocenzi / piano, keyboards, vocals, the project director

Rodolfo Maltese / guitar

Filippo Marcheggiani / guitar

Alessandro Papotto / sax, clarinet, flute

Tiziano Ricci / bass

Maurizio Masi / drums

Pierluigi Calderoni / drums

Guest actors

Alessandro Haber / recitation

Franca Valeri / recitation

Giuliana De Sio / recitation

Moni Ovadia / recitation

Toni Servillo / recitation

Rocco Papaleo / recitation

Giuseppe Cederna / recitation

Valerio Mastandrea / recitationReleases information

A tribute album to Francesco Di Giacomo

18 live tracks and about 50 minutes of new music

lyrics of some songs with Banco music are read by Italian actors

"il rock è pieno di rockstar, tante rockstar, ma di un solo Banco del Mutuo Soccorso!" Francesco Di Giacomo ❤