Odyssee ‎– White Swan (1978, LP, Germany) Repost!

Sadly obscure, almost anonymous yet proudly in-style progressive, this late-70s German quintet called ODYSSEE deserves its mention in any prog rock comprehensive chronicle. There's no real telling how well their one-off effort (White Swan, released in 1978) was received, or if ever fully acquainted. Clearer is their independent activity: a private pressing release, on vinyl LP, gone rare and never reissued afterwards, plus no contact with the musical scene, except the strong influences from the prog masters.

Forming this ensemble were vocalist and guitarist Rainer Schön, bassist Silvio Dalla Torre, Volker Franke on drums and percussion, pianist Werner Kiente and keyboardist (organs & synthesizers) Friedhelm Wolff. Dalla Torre, now an established double bass player, as well as a composer, teacher and critic, remembers how ODYSSEE was the mature extension of a young school band, and how White Swan came "after years of hard practice".

The album is a balance treat of both simple, fast-paced songs and the extended, copiously symphonic title track. The strong if overt influences, the solid instrumentation and the band skills reshape the whole musicality. Throughout the seldom mentions, ODYSSEE is mainly pinned down as a symphonic band, with a clear summon of the GENESIS trademark sound, but also building momentums based on YES, CAMEL or NEUSCHWANSTEIN. Just as obvious, the jazz enrichment, leaning on an open stream of fusion or based on groovier tones, can be a pleasant surprise. (Progarchives)