Central do Prog: Popol Ace – Stolen From Time (1976, LP, Norway)

January 27, 2026

Popol Ace – Stolen From Time (1976, LP, Norway)

Tracklist:
A1 Bury Me Dead 5:50
A2 Today Another Day 5:45
A3 Jester 3:58
A4 Soft Shoe Dancer 4:37
A5 Mr. Bigalow 4:07
B1 Sweet Tune 5:00
B2 Sleepwalker 4:50
B3 I Can See Tears 6:25
B4 Suicide 8:19

Musicians:
Bass, Bass [Fuzz], Backing Vocals – Terje Methi
Drums, Percussion – Thor Andreassen
Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Grand Piano, Electric Piano, Clavinet, Electric Organ [Hammond C3], Harpsichord, Mellotron, Synthesizer [Mini Moog], Backing Vocals – Pete Knutsen
Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Twelve-String Guitar – Arne Schulze
Vocals, Glockenspiel, Backing Vocals – Jahn Teigen
Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Richard Raux (A3)
Ondes Martenot – Sylvette Allart (A4, B1, B2)
Backing Vocals – Inger-Lise Rypdal (B2)
Effects [Synthesized] – Arne Schulze (B4)

Founded in Oslo, Norway in 1972 (as Popol Vuh) - Renamed in 1974 - Disbanded in 1978

Having roots as far back as 1959 with The Scavers and later releasing a single Arman Stumpe Dur Express, this Norwegian quintet that released two albums under the Popol Vuh moniker (a Maya mythology-related name), until they became aware of a German band using the same name, they changed their names to Popol Ace. The group went on to release another two albums before folding at the end of the decade. Musically, they sounded much straigjhter progressive rock than their German mystical homonyms: mellotrons and flute parts , funky jazz-rock and softer ballads were among their usual tricks found in their first two albums (S/T and Quiche Maya) under the Vuh name.

In 75, with the name change to Popol Ace (to avoid confusion with the German Popol Vuh), the group embarked in their most ambitious project the expensive and studio time demanding Stolen From Time, a concept album strongly influenced by Genesis, but too rigidly produced to gather the hoped-for international success. Lead singer Jan Teigen then left the group to become one of the country's leading pop singer and entertainer. The group hired a new vocalist in 78, but their last album is best forgotten by everyone (PV/PA included) and the group disbanded later that year. .

Lately, the full works of this band have been gathered in a 5 Cd box set with all sorts of bonus and unrealeased material, including a live disc (progarchives).