GRAVY TRAIN — Gravy Train (1970) Mini LP | Three Version | WV + FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless

Jethro Tull and Comus had a baby, and they named it Gravy Train. That's not strictly accurate, of course, but as the band's eponymous debut opens with the fluid changes of "The New One," it's not too far of a reach, either. Richly harmonic, daringly jam-laden, and peppered with guitar roars that simply defy comparison, Gravy Train is the sound of the British underground at its most joyously liberated peak -- a time when a bunch of apparent freaks could simply go into a major recording studio and let rip. Except Gravy Train's concept of "letting rip" has more in common with a symphony orchestra than the Edgar Broughton Band. Without, of course, the orchestra. But there's a moment in the midst of "Think of Life" that cannot help but put one in mind of later Deep Purple, as the flute and guitar battle for supremacy, while the blues workout "Coast Road" is as breathtaking as any of that genre's better-feted exponents. If Gravy Train has any faults whatsoever, the fascination with peculiar vocal effects can grow a little wearing, especially as frontman Norman Barrett already appears to have a fabulous range of his own -- "Dedication to Sid," in particular, glories in such trickery, although the heartbeat bassline that runs through the number is so hypnotic that it's easy to forget everything else that's going on. In fact, Gravy Train is littered with moments like that, an album of so many surprises that even when you think you know it, you can still find something else you'd never noticed. And it all adds up to a genuine minor classic. Dave Thompson 
Tracklist :
1 The New One 5:15
2 Dedication To Sid 7:17
3 Coast Road 6:46
4 Enterprise 6:20
5 Think Of Life 5:10
6 Earl Of Pocket Nook 16:11
Credits :
Bass, Vocals – Les Williams
Drums – Barry Davenport
Engineer – Keith Harwood
Flute [Alto, Simultaneous Alto And Tenor], Vocals – J.D. Hughes
Lead Vocals, Guitar – Norman Barrett
Written-By, Composed By – Gravy Train

KIN PING MEH — Nº2 (1972) Two Version | WV + FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless

Again, this is the album that does not have prog component in the music. However, it's nice to enjoy this classic rock band. The music offered here is similar with bands like Tea (Germany), Humble Pie, or Mountain with unique singing style of its lead vocalist, Wrener Stephan. The opening track "Come Down to the Riverside" (3:13) is like a combination of The Beatles and Lynyrd Skynyrd. It seems like the band tried to explore the southern rock style, especially through the guitar licks as well as singing style. It's really enjoyable. It moves in similar vein into next track "Don't Force Your Horse" (3:46) where guitar still plays critical role in putting the music style of the song. Supported with vintage recording quality, enjoying this track gives me a "different" experience that brings me back to the glory days of seventies where rock music dominated the music industry.

The Beatles cover "Come Together" (6:00) is another place that I can find joy of listening to this album. No, it's not that due to the original version of this song it's already excellet, but the re-arrangement by Kin Ping Meh makes it "something new" for me and it has made me repeating this song over and over whenever it reaches third track. I like the fact that the guitar sound has been made different than those of original version. It reminds me to the guitar player of a band named as MAHOGANY RUSH - the guitarist is Frank Marino. The guitar solo at the end of this track is really stunning.

"Together Jam" (4:55) starts with jamming mode through guitar solo supported with bass guitar and drums, plus organ. The use of two guitars separated with left and right channel has made this composition is really excellent. The guitar solo is really the main thing from this track and it satisfies me to the bone! The bass guitar is also given a chance to perform its solo. It's an uplifting track!

"Liveable Ways" (8:00) is probably the progressive attempt that the band tried to make. The combined guitar and bass guitar works at the opening of the track is truly stunning. The vocal line is also excellent, performed with energy. The song also inserts some ambient portion right after intro part. "Day Dreams" (7:56) provides musical break through ambient nuance at intro part with guitar fills. "Very Long Ago" (2:54) is a country rock music, using banjo as main rhythm section. The album concludes nicely with "I Wanna Be Lazy" (2:58) in Southern style. progarchives
Tracklist :
1.    Come Down To The Riverside    3:13
Written-By – Groß / Stephan
2.    Don't Force Your Horse 3:46
Written-By – Dr. Gassenmaier / Groß 
Bagpipes [Dudelsack] – Dieter Kuhlmann
3.    Come Together 6:00
Written-By – Lennon/McCartney
4.    Together Jam 4:55
Written-By – Kin Ping Meh
5.    Livable Ways    8:00
 Written-By – Frank Dostal /Groß 
6.    Day Dreams    7:56
Written-By – Dr. Gassenmaier / Groß / Stephan
7.    Very Long Ago 2:54
Written-By – Willie Wagner
Banjo – Erich Doll
8.    I Wonna Be Lazy    2:58:5
 Written-By – Reichel / Dostal
– BONUS TRACKS –
9    Sometime (Single Version)    4:33
Written-By – Wagner / Schmitt
10    Sunday Morning Eve    3:58
Written-By – Wroe /Mrozek / Groß
Credits :
Bass, Vocals – Torsten Herzog
Drums, Percussion – Kalle Weber
Electric Guitar, Guitar [Fingerstyle Guitar] – Uli Groß
Guitar – Gerhard (Gagey) Mrozeck
Guitar, Vocals – Willie Wagner
Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Percussion – Werner Stephan
Organ, Piano, Electric Piano, Mellotron 400, Vocals – Fritz Schmitt 

BIRTH CONTROL — Backdoor Possibilities (1976-1997) Two Version | FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless

Backdoor Possibilities emerges as a rather fragmented and patchy concept album about a businessman who becomes trapped in an elevator with death himself, who, in turn, tries to convince the man that life is more important than schedules and the blandness of everyday ordinance. With 14 tracks that mostly fall under the five-minute range, Birth Control's main story line loses its grasp quickly, but the music itself almost instantly takes over and blurs the band's allegorical idea, replacing it with detours of jazz- and rock-styled excursions. The album arises as an art rock piece with progressive rock penchants surrounding the perimeter, using a multitude of peculiar instruments like finger cymbals, congas, sand blocks, and sonor drums to instill the abstractness of the intentioned concept. Both of the six-minute tracks, "Behind Grey Walls" and "No Time to Die," are the best at keeping the anecdote intact while dishing out the album's heartiest example of Birth Control's progressive flair. Zeus B. Held's entourage of synthesizers, as well as his sporadic use of the alto saxophone, grant the majority of the songs their ornamental appeal. Some of the shorter pieces, like "Subterranean Escape" and "Legal Labyrinth," have the band trying so hard to catapult the philosophies of their esoteric yarn to the forefront that some of their instrumental resolution is thrown to the wayside. Although a few of the songs are a minor diversity, Backdoor Possibilities still ingrains the root of Birth Control's progressive sound, and the relevance of the album's concept really isn't missed. Brain's 1997 reissue includes two additional bonus tracks that are noticeable additions. Mike DeGagne
Tracklist :
One First Of April :    
1.    Prologue    
2.    Physical And Mental Short Circuit    
3.    Subterranean Escape    
Beedeepees :    
4.    Film Of Life    
5.    Childhood Flash-Back    
6.    Legal Labyrinth    
7.    Futile Prayer
La Cigüena De Zaragoza:    
8.    The Farrockaway Ropedancer    
9.    Le Moineau De Paris    
10.    Cha Cha D'amour    
11.    Behind Grey Walls
12.    No Time To Die
– BONUS TRACKS –
13.    Fall Down
14.    Laugh Or Cry
Credits :
Bass, Vocals – Peter Föller
Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals – Bruno Frenzel
Lead Vocals, Drums, Marimba, Timpani, Vibraslap, Finger Cymbals, Percussion [Guero], Cabasa, Percussion [Flexitone], Congas, Claves, Percussion, Instruments [Sand Blocks] – Bernd 'Nossi' Noske
Organ, Organ [Hammond], Electric Piano, Synthesizer, Organ [Farfisa], Grand Piano, Alto Saxophone, Tubular Bells, Vocals, Synthesizer [Arp String Ensemble] – Zeus B. Held
Written-By – Bernd Noske (tracks: 5, 9), Bruno Frenzel (tracks: 4 to 11, 13, 14), Zeus B. Held (tracks: 1 to 7, 11, 12, 14)

ANEKDOTEN — Vemod (1993) Two Version | APE + FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless

Anekdoten's debut shows them a little rougher, more Gothic in tone, and less tonally subtle than in later years, but compelling nonetheless. From the crashing bass and Mellotron in the opening track "Karelia," it's clear that King Crimson reigns over their work -- not to mention that it features riffs nicked from Crimson's "Easy Money." "Wheel" also has the dissonance and horns of the Lizard album. But they are creating something unique here, as the gentle instrumental "Longing" attests. While Anekdoten hadn't quite reached its potential yet -- "Where Solitude Remains" still shows Liljestrom's vocals to be a little too precise, and not as pleasingly smoky as in "Nucleus" -- this first album shows a band of great promise. Paul Collins
Tracklist :
1 Karelia 7:20
Written-By – Dahlberg, Berg
2 The Old Man & The Sea 7:50
Written-By – Liljeström, Berg
3 Where Solitude Remains 7:20
Written-By – Liljeström, Berg
4 Thoughts In Absence 4:10
Written-By – Berg
5 The Flow 6:58
Written-By – Dahlberg, Liljeström, Berg, Nordin
6 Longing 4:50
Written-By – Dahlberg, Berg
7 Wheel 7:50
Written-By – Dahlberg, Liljeström, Berg, Nordin
– BONUS TRACK –
8.    Sad Rain 10:14
Lyrics By, Music By – Nicklas Berg
Credits :                 
Bass, Vocals – Jan Erik Liljeström
Cello, Mellotron, Vocals – Anna Sofi Dahlberg
Flugelhorn [Flügelhorn], Cornet – Pär Ekström
Guitar, Mellotron – Nicklas Berg
Percussion – Peter Nordin
Piano – Per Wiberg

ARTI & MESTIERI — Tilt : Immagini Per Un Orecchio (1974) RM | Two Version | APE + FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Outstanding fusion band from Italy. All the power delivered by the insane drumming of Furio CHIRICO is counterpointted by the beautiful violin passages, as well as the killer guitar work. On their early albums, ARTI e MESTIERI made a dynamic, complex and elaborately crafted rock, folk, and fusion blend, that featured much violin and keyboards.
ARTI & MESTIERI, considered one of the most influent cult bands in the italian and european prog scene will astonish the audience confirming, 25 years after its release, that "TILT" is still a milestone for two generations of fans. Both albums that came out on CD, "Tilt" and "Giro Di Valzer Per Domani", are real masterpieces of the genre. A real must for all fusion lovers! Progarchives
Tracklist :
1. Gravità 9,81 (4:05)
2. Strips (4:39)
3. Corrosione (1:37)
4. Positivo / Negativo (3:29)
5. In Cammino (5:36)
6. Farenheit (1:15)
7. Articolazioni (13:24)
8. Tilt (2:29)
Total Time 36:34
Line-up / Musicians
Luigi "Gigi" Venegoni - Electric & Acoustic Guitars, ARP2600 Synthesizer 
Beppe Crovella - Acoustic & Electric Pianos, ARP2600 & Eminent Synths, Mellotron, Hammond Organ
Giovanni Vigliar - Violin, Vocals, Percussion
Arturo Vitale - Soprano & Baritone Saxes, Clarinet & Bass Clarinet, Vibraphone
Marco Gallesi - Bass
Furio Chirico - Drums, Percussion 

BUON VECCHIO CHARLIE — Buon Vecchio Charlie (1971) RM | Two Version | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Formed in Rome in 1970, Buon Vecchio Charlie are the all-but unknown creators of what has since been described among the greatest of all Italian prog albums, a self-titled effort recorded around spring 1971 for the Venice-based Suono label, but left to languish on the shelf for the next twenty years. Comprising three tracks, including a mammoth adaptation of "The Hall Of The Mountain King", it was finally unearthed by Melos in 1992.
Buon Vecchio Charlie themselves continued working into 1972, with several band members joining singer-songwriter Beppe Palomba on his album A Rosa, a Giovanna e alle altre. (Two tracks from this album were included on the late 1999 Akarma label reissue of Buon Vecchio Charlie.) From there, guitarist Luigi Calabrò, bassist Paolo Damiani and drummer Rino Sangiorgio formed a new band, the jazz-rock outfit Bauhaus - no relation, of course, to the British goths of early 1980s renown! . Dave Thompson
Tracklist : 
1. Venite Giù Al Fiume 12:09
Music By – Luigi Calabrò 
2. Evviva La Contea Di Lane 6:35
 Music By – Richard Benson
3. All'Uomo Che Raccoglie I Cartoni (15:00)
 Music By – Luigi Calabrò 
– BONUS TRACKS –
4. Rosa 4:33
5. Il Guardiano Della Valle 2:39
Credits :
Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Vocals – Luigi Calabrò
Bass – Paolo Damiani
Drums – Rino Sangiorgio
Keyboards – Sandro Centofanti
Lead Vocals, Twelve-String Guitar – Richard Benson
Tenor Saxophone, Flute – Sandro "Cicero" Cesaroni

CELESTE — Celeste (1976-2010) RM | Italian Rock SHM-CD Series | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Along with Museo Rosenbach, Celeste were born from the ashes of the legendary Il Sistema, a band from Sanremo whose only posthumous released recordings don't give a real idea of what they were.
Formed by drummer Ciro Perrino and sax player Leonardo Lagorio (who had played with Museo Rosenbach in their early days) this four piece went in a totally different direction from their beginnings, playing a mostly acoustic, dreamy and delicate prog. A studio group, they had a very limited live experience.
Their first album, Celeste, also known as Principe di un giorno, was released by the small Grog label only in 1976, but the tracks had been composed in 1973 and recorded in 1974. It contains seven tracks, with pastoral lyrics and a style not far from the softer side of early King Crimson.
A second album, recorded in 1977, was released in 1991 by Mellow with the obvious title of Celeste II. Closer to jazz-rock and very far from their debut album, this suffers from poor quality and unfinished recordings.
Another album, born as a soundtrack and called I suoni in una sfera was also released in 1992, more similar to their first work and including two songs also on Principe di un giorno.
After the band split Ciro Perrino played with St.Tropez (that also included Celeste bass player Battaglia), Compagnia Digitale and SNC and released a solo album (Solare in 1980), before founding with Mauro Moroni the praiseworthy Mellow label, so important during the years for the world diffusion of the Italian prog. wiki
Tracklist : 
1 Principe Di Giorno
Bass, Pedal Steel Guitar, Xylophone – Giorgio Battaglia
Guitar, Violin – Mariano Schiavolini
Percussion, Flute, Mellotron, Vocals – Ciro Perrino
Piano [Acoustic], Electric Piano, Flute, Alto Saxophone, Mellotron, Synthesizer [Eminent] – Leonardo Lagorio 
2 Favole Antiche
Bass – Giorgio Battaglia
Guitar – Mariano Schiavolini
Percussion, Flute, Vocals – Ciro Perrino
Piano [Acoustic], Electric Piano, Synthesizer [ARP Odyssey], Flute, Spinet – Leonardo Lagorio
3 Eftus
Bass – Giorgio Battaglia
Effects [È Qui - Si È] – Aldo De Scalzi
Flute, Synthesizer [ARP 2600], Mellotron – Leonardo Lagorio
Guitar, Vocals – Mariano Schiavolini
Percussion, Flute, Vocals – Ciro Perrino
4 Giochi Nella Notte
Bass, Chorus – Giorgio Battaglia
Guitar, Violin, Chorus – Mariano Schiavolini
Percussion, Flute, Flute [Flauto Dolce], Vocals, Chorus, Xylophone – Ciro Perrino
Piano [Acoustic], Electric Piano, Flute, Synthesizer [ARP 2600, Eminent], Mellotron, Chorus – Leonardo Lagorio
5 La Grande Isola
Bass – Giorgio Battaglia
Effects [Plop] – Aldo De Scalzi
Flute – Leonardo Lagorio
Guitar – Mariano Schiavolini
Percussion, Vocals – Ciro Perrino
6 La Danza Del Fato
Bass – Giorgio Battaglia
Guitar – Mariano Schiavolini
Percussion, Flute, Vocals – Ciro Perrino
Piano [Acoustic], Synthesizer [ARP 2600], Flute, Mellotron – Leonardo Lagorio
7 L'imbroglio
Bass, Electric Guitar – Giorgio Battaglia
Guitar, Violin – Mariano Schiavolini
Percussion, Flute, Mellotron, Vocals, Flute [Flauto Dolce] – Ciro Perrino
Piano [Acoustic], Electric Piano, Flute, Synthesizer [ARP 2600], Mellotron, Saxophone [Contralto], Tenor Saxophone – Leonardo Lagorio

CRUCIFÉRIUS! — A Nice Way Of Life (1970-2012) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Extremely rare French funky prog early 70's LP on the little, but famous French "Egg" label. A mix of dark feel, psych progressive action, jazz, funk music with acidy guitar,swirling organ, vibraphone ...Vocals are in English. There is only one Cruciferius LP. Real collectors piece. The LP is produced by Franz Auffray "Original Popcorn" .

Members where Francois Breant who was born in Rouen, France, and  his musical inclinations were strongly encouraged by his father, himself a pianist and painter. He learned to play the piano and the organ at a young age. In his lycee (high school) years he took a shine to the music of Ornette Coleman and John Coltrane, and played in a number of local jazz units. After studies at Rouen's Ecole des Beaux-Arts he joined Cruciferius Lobonz, formed along  with Christian Vander and Bernard Paganotti.

Bernard Paganotti will subsequently become a member of Magma. Marc Perru latter worked on together with Francois Breant's solo album and with the French band called Ergo Sum. rockasteria
Tracklist :
1. Big Bird - 7:18
 (E. Floyd, S. Crooper)
2. What Did You Do - 5:18
 (M. Perru, B. Paganotti)
3. Let’s Try - 3:34
 (M. Perru)
4. A Nice Way Of Life - 2:39
 (M. Perru, F. Bréant)
5. Gimme Some Lovin’ - 3:32
 (S. Winwood) 
6. It’s Got To Be A Rule - 4:21
 (M. Perru)
7. Jungle Child - 4:47
 (M. Perru, F. Bréant)
8. Annabel Lee - 5:33
 (E. A. Poe, B. Paganotti)
Cruciferius
François Bréant -  Keyboards, Vibes, Vocals
Bernard Paganotti -  Bass, Vocals
Marc Perru -  Guitar, Vocals
Patrick Jean -  Drums

CODA — Sound Of Passion (1986-2007) RM | 2CD | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

CODA is a Dutch concept band created and headed by multi-instrumentalist Erik DeVroomen. With a strong emphasis on melody, their material is lushly symphonic and focuses on swirling keyboards (grand piano, novatron, clavinet and various synths played by DeVroomen), climactic moments and a few but heavily conceptual lyrics - imagine VANGELIS with some killer guitar and super-spacey segments. Between 1986 and 1996, the band released two albums and a mini CD.

Their first full-length album, "Sounds of Passion" (1986), features a 29-minute suite with lots of organ, horns and strings that give it a highly 'symphonic orchestra' feel. It is also full of mood and tempo changes as well as grandiloquent (and fortunately sparse, accented) vocals. As for the two short tracks that close the album, they are quite dispensable. Their second full-length cd, the ambitious "What a Symphony", is best described as classical music performed with modern instruments (a couple of nods are given to Mahler and Bach, in passing). Ranging from aggressive to pastoral moods, the flow is somehow unfortunately broken with frequent jazzy solos that don't quite fit into the picture. Overall, however, it is a highly melodious album and boasts a much improved production over "Sounds of Passion". progarchives
Chapter 1 - Sounds of Passion: The Album    
    Coda     Sounds Of Passion (29:14)
Music By, Words By – Erik De Vroomen
Chapter 2 - Sounds of Passion: The Demos    
    Sequoia     Sounds Of Passion - Demo Version (31:25)
Bass Guitar – Maarten Holz
Drums, Percussion – Jan Stavenuiten
Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar – Karel De Greef
Flute, Piccolo Flute, Recorder – Pip Van Steen
Keyboards – Erik De Vroomen
Music By, Words By – Erik De Vroomen
Narrator – Roel Strik
Recorded By, Engineer, Producer, Mixed By – Erik De Vroomen, Karel De Greef, Roel Strik

DEDALUS — Dedalus + Materiale Per Tre Esecutori E Nastro Magnetico (1973-'74) 2CD in 1 | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

DEDALUS - not to be confused with another Italian 'DEDALUS' who mix folk with jazz - were a most enterprising 70's jazz-rock quartet from Turin who still keep a high public profile among collectors. Evoking SOFT MACHINE but with an emphasis on keyboards, they use the violin, synthesizer, guitar, sax, cello, bass and drums; their style is more experimental and spacer than other Italian jazz-rock bands (KALEIDON, DUELLO MADRE, PERIGEO). After a first album in 1973, they lost their bassist and went on as a trio for a second album; they then lost their drummer and split up. In 1990, they reappeared for a third album that featured the original line-up minus the drummer. After many personnel changes, the keyboard player reformed the band under the name The BONANSONE DEDALUS GROUP who released a fourth album in 2004.
The eponymous first LP was their most SOFT MACHINE-like album, featuring some particularly spacey experimentation. "Materiale per Tre Esecutori e Nastro Magnetico" (1974) contains some highly complex music in a contemporary classical vein à la John Cage or Edgar Varese; it is also marked by a stronger use of electronics (no doubt due to the loss of their drummer). The privately released "Pia Visione" (1997) tried to revive the original spirit of the band but with a very minimalist approach. As for "Nomos Apache Alpha" (2004), it has a strong classical chamber music feel as it is mainly cello and flute based.
One of those 70's psychedelic treasures catching the essence of jazz rock with heavy grooves and hypno/experimental effects. The first track is a quick, electric jazz trip with abundant but linear guitar solos. Some nice keyboards parts accompany the jam. "Leda" is a floating jazzy tune with hyperactive psychedelic tones thanks to the use of amazing, atmospheric organ parts. The second part of the composition features a rather dreamy, spacey, evanescent soundscape punctuated by acid-psych bass grooves. "Conn" consists of improvisations with jammin' sax parts and really bizarre sound collages from a wide variety of instruments. "C.T.6" contains an elegant technical solo guitar sequence closed to Mc Laughlin's style. Not easy to approach for neophytes but highly recommended for convinced fans of jazz rock weirdo like Embryo and classic fusion jams from Miles Davis. progarchives

Dedalus – Dedalus (1973)
1. Santiago (9:13)
2. Leda (4:30)
3. Conn (3:48)
4. C.T.6 (14:02)
5. Brilla (5:39)
Dedalus – Materiale Per Tre Esecutori E Nastro Magnetico (1974)
6. Rumore Bianco
7. Emergenza A-B
8.Discorso Su Due Piani
9. Spazio Di Sei Note
10. Esserci
11. La Bergera, Da Un Cante Popolare Anonimo
12. Con Più Frequenza
13. Accordanza
14. Improvvisazione Per Violoncello, Sassofono Tenore, Batteria E Percussioni
Credits :
Fiorenzo Bonansone - Cello, Electric Piano, Synthesizer
Marco Di Castri - Guitars, Tenor Saxophone, Percussion
Furio Di Castri - Bass, Percussion
Enrico Grosso - Drums, Percussion
Percussion [African] – René Mantegna "Aktuela"

DRUID — Toward the Sun (1975-2015) RM | SHM-CD | Progressive Rock 1300 Collection Series | Two Version | FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless

Although it's not on the same level as the best progressive bands -- the drums and keyboards are not really up to the challenge presented by the guitars -- this album has been rather unfairly written off by some music critics. Their debut begins with their strongest composition: "Voices," whose multiple movements, chorus lyrics of "a million voices singing," broad washes of mellotron, and alternating guitar tones make it sound like an outtake from Yes's "The Ancient." The instrumental "Theme" has some fine jazz-prog sax soloing over a lush backing, and "Dawn of Evening" has a wonderfully taut bassline march pushed to the front of the mix. Paul Collins

Tracklist :
1 Voices 8:13
2 Remembering 5:24
3 Theme 5:24
4 Toward The Sun 5:03
5 Red Carpet For An Autumn 3:10
6 Dawn Of Evening 10:02
7 Shangri-La 10:11
Credits :
Bass Guitar – Neil Brewer
Drums, Percussion – Cedric Sharpley
Guitar, Vocals – Dane
Keyboards – Andrew McCrorie-Shand

DRUID — Fluid Druid (1976-2015) RM | SHM-CD | Progressive Rock 1300 Collection Series | Two Version | FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless

Despite the more complex arrangements and varied lyrics of this album, it's somehow not as satisfying as their debut. Songs meant to sound grand simply sound pompous -- a charge often (and tiresomely) leveled at prog bands, but warranted at times here. Similarly, Dane tries hard to shake his Jon Anderson label, but the overenunciated and mannered style that he adopts instead is grating; the result often veers fearfully close to Styx. There are some successful tracks, though -- the pleasant interpolation of a children's choir and carousel organ in "Crusade," the soaring guitar solos on "Painters Clouds," and the pensive woodwinds and piano in the long instrumental intro of the album's high point, "Left to Find."  Paul Collins
Tracklist :
1. Razor Truth (5:41)

2. Painters Clouds (4:59)
3. FM 145 (2:10)
4. Crusade (7:52)
5. Nothing But Morning (4:10)
6. Barnaby (3:13)
7. Kestrel (3:37)
8. Left To Find (7:18)
9. The Fisherman's Friend (0:45)
Total time 39:45
Line-up / Musicians
Dane - Guitars, Vocals
Andrew McCrorie-Shand - Keyboards
Neil Brewer - Bass
Cedric Sharpley - Drums, Percussions

VENT D'EST - Vent D'est (1980) Vynil LP | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

These representatives of the French art-rock scene knows very little, almost nothing. Yes, it is not surprising, since the contribution of the ensemble Vent D'est (Wind from the east) in the history of progressive rock is surprisingly modest: only one unnamed album. It is a pity, because the guys music is not devoid of beauty and melody. If you believe the site ProGGnosis, in the group worked two guitarists - Kristian Devo and Jean-Luc Vysotsky, Keyboardist Patris Vitt, drummer Jean-Marc Fisher and bassist Jean-Louis Sigle. Strangely enough, there is no information about the vocalist plate material by and large pesennorientirovanny (from a purely instrumental tracks - only the opening "Traveller" drayvovy number). The vocal part - decomposition voices - male and female. Sing nicely, then in their native language, then Inglish. Guitar solos carefully follow the canons laid down by Endi Letimerom ( Camel). However, to the level of the giants of instrumentalists do not hold out. Well, let. Music plays Vent D'est is not aspire to the depth and epic, it's just very emotional, well-played composition.
Tracklist :
1.    Traveller    
2.    La Toile    
3.    Your Eyes    
4.    La Dame En Noir    
5.    La Madonne Des Sleepings    
6.    California's Calling    
7.    Eastwind    
8.    Nighttime    
Credits :
Acoustic Guitar, Vocals – Christian Devot
Bass [Fretless] – Jean Luc Siegler
Drums – Jean Marc Fischer
Electric Guitar, Guitar Synthesizer, Vocals – Jean Luc Wysocki
Keyboards, Synthesizer, Piano – Patrice Witt

EAST OF EDEN — East of Eden (1971-2001) RM | Two Version | FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless

"East of Eden" was a British progressive rock band, who had a top 10 hit in the UK with the single "Jig-a-Jig", which did not resemble their usual sound or anything else they normally played. Combining flutes, saxes, violins and tape loops to folk, blues and psychedelic music, the East of Eden style was always heavily supported on a pure rock base, strong and experimental. This is 2001 German reissue of their 1971 album. The highlight is "Crazy Daisy," a pungent hard rock jazz jam, which alone makes the album worth seeking.
Tracklist :
 1. Wonderful Feeling (6:11)
2. Goodbye (5:48)
3. Crazy Daisy (6:54)
4. Here Comes The Day (4:33)
5. Take What You Need (5:03)
6. No Time (6:03)
7. To Mrs. V (5:18)
Total Time: 39:50
Credits :
Dave Arbus - Violin, Saxophone, Flute
David Jack - Bass, Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Jeff Allen - Drums, Percussion

KHAN — Space Shanty (1972) RM | SHM-CD | Three Version | APE + WV + FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless

Almost stereotypically overreaching early-'70s progressive rock, with quasi-operatic vocals, spinning guitar solos, and lengthy suite-like tracks on the order of "Stargazers" and "Hollow Stone (incl. Escape of
the Space Pilots)." The highlight is Dave Stewart's effervescent organ work during the gentle and meditative passages. Richie Unterberger

Tracklist :
1 Space Shanty


2 Stranded

3 Mixed Up Man Of The Mountains
4 Driving To Amsterdam
5 Stargazers
6 Hollow Stone
7 Break The Chains
8 Mixed Up Man Of The Mountains (First Version)
Credits :
Bass, Vocals – Nick Greenwood
Drums – Eric Peachey
Guitar, Vocals – Steve Hillage
Organ, Piano, Marimba, Celesta [Skyceleste] – Dave Stewart

ARZACHEL — Arzachel (1969) Two Version | FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless

Take off your shoes, socks, turn off the lights, shut all windows and blinds and turn up your amplifier to 11... here comes some pure progressive psychedelia. ARZACHEL were in and out of the world of music for only a short period and have left behind this one and only little treasure of wonderful wierdness. ARZACHEL was really the young genius of Steve HILLAGE (guitars) and Dave STEWART (keyboards) and although never really intended for wide distribution has become one of the most collectible and trasured gems of this era. ARZACHEL contains classic HILLAGE acid guitar windouts and Dave STEWART's psychedelic keyboard drones and solos. ARZACHEL contains 2 longer length tracks (11 & 17 Mins) and 4 shorter numbers. The sound repro is as you might expect not in full digital, but does not detract from your listening enjoyment. The fine folks at Drop Out Records have included a nice little history and package about this band as well... Progarchives
Tracklist :
1    Garden Of Earthly Delights    2:44
Songwriter, Arranged By – Clive Brooks, Dave Stewart, Mont Campbell, Steve Hillage

2    Azathoth    4:22
Songwriter, Arranged By – Clive Brooks, Dave Stewart, Mont Campbell, Steve Hillage
3    Queen St. Gang    4:26
Written-By – Keith Mansfield
4    Leg    5:41
Songwriter, Arranged By – Clive Brooks, Dave Stewart, Mont Campbell, Steve Hillage
5    Clean Innocent Fun    10:28
Songwriter, Arranged By – Clive Brooks, Dave Stewart, Mont Campbell, Steve Hillage
6    Metempsychosis    16:51
Songwriter, Arranged By – Clive Brooks, Dave Stewart, Mont Campbell, Steve Hillage
Credits :
Bass Guitar, Vocals – Njerogi Gategaka (Mont Campbell)
Drums – Basil Dowling (Clive Brooks)
Lead Guitar, Vocals – Simeon Sasparella (Steve Hillage)
Organ – Sam Lee-Uff (Dave Stewart)

BANZAI — Hora Nata (1974-1995) RM | Two Version | FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless

Along with fellow countrymen MACHIAVEL, BANZAI were a Belgian quintet from the mid-70's of the typical GENESIS/YES school of prog. They made one album and then disbanded after their record company went bankrupt. Their music features elaborate compositions with layered keyboards, melodic guitar solos reminiscent of Jan Akkerman's, and high-pitched vocals that will immediately remind listeners of Jon Anderson. The band consisted of Peter Torfs on keyboards and vocals, John M.C. O. on guitars, Ludwig Kemat on percussion and alto sax, Evert Verhees on bass and vocals, and Erry Foix on drums and percussion.
The cd version of their album "Hora Nata" contains everything the band has ever recorded: 5 lengthy pieces subdivided into smaller parts plus 6 bonus tracks that are slightly more accessible than the rest. This material is not very original by today's standards but the musicianship is solid, featuring lots of Hammond organ and even a brass section.
Recommended if you like classic 70's symphonic prog with lots of organ, old keyboard sounds, jamming guitars, some quirky rhythms and lots of breaks. Progarchives
Tracklist :
1    You Always Like An Entree? 2:13
Written-By – Erry Fox, Evert Verhees
2      Try (7:44)
Written-By – Erry Fox, Evert Verhees
2a    Hopeful Strive    
2b    Step By Step    
2c    Find The Way    
3      Obelisk (11:06)
Written-By – Erry Fox, Evert Verhees
3a    Like A Stalagmite    
3b    Hora Nata    
3c    Stalagmites In My Jam    
3d    Wet The Ropes    
4      Hattrick (7:32)
Written-By – Erry Fox, Evert Verhees
4a    My First Hot-Pants    
4b    Kick And Rush    
4c    The Final Was The Third Game    
Three Magicians (Part 1) (12:13)
Written-By – Erry Fox, Evert Verhees
5a    Once    
5b    Theme Of The Rainbow    
5c    Bermst    
5d    We'll Bring You The Sun    
– BONUS TRACKS –
6    Hora Nata 2:58
Written-By – E. Fox, E. Verhees
7    Good Morning Life 3:44
Written-By – E. Fox, E. Verhees
8    We'Re So Sorry 3:06
Written-By – Banzai
9    Be Careful Now 3:26
Written-By – Banzai
10    Talking About My Love 3:07
Written-By – E. Fox, E. Verhees
11    On The Rocks 3:01
Written-By – E. Fox, E. Verhees
Credits :
Arranged By, Producer – Luc Smets (tracks: 6, 7)
Bass Guitar, Synthesizer [Bass Pedals], Vocals – Evert Verhees
Conductor [Violins] – A. Speguel (tracks: 1 to 5)
Drums, Percussion – Erry Fox
Guitar [Guitars], Alto Vocals – John McO
Horns – C. Focant (tracks: 1 to 5), J. Lasselin (tracks: 1 to 5)
Keyboards, Vocals – Peter Torfs
Percussion, Alto Saxophone – Ludwig Kemat
Tenor Saxophone – F. Maes (tracks: 1 to 5)

SEMIRAMIS — Dedicato A Frazz (1973) Two Version | Italian Rock SHM-CD Series | FLAC (inage+.tracks+.cue), lossless

SEMIRAMIS is one of the many "one-shot" bands of the 70's Italy. Their only album is one of my favorite albums of the 70's Italian art rock. Combining elements of Italian folk, heavy progressive passages (especially in the middle of the album), Baroque church music, jazz, classical, and a good dose of insanity. "Dedicato A Frazz" pounds every sense, challenges every synapse in a flurry of ideas. There are more symphonic, keyboard-led parts as well where SEMIRAMIS may sound closer YES, GENESIS or BANCO. A fantastic album...
Tracklist :
1.    La Bottega Del Rigattiere    6:01
2.    Luna Park    4:29

3.    Uno Zoo Di Vetro    5:57
4.    Per Una Strada Affollata    5:01
5.    Dietro Una Porta Di Carta    5:43
6.    Frazz    5:09
7.    Clown    4:34
Credits :
Arranged By – Giampiero Artegiani, Maurizio Zarillo, Michele Zarrillo
Artwork – Gordon Faggetter
Bass, Lyrics By – Marcello Reddavide
Drums, Percussion, Vibraphone – Paolo Faenza
Guitar, Music By – Michele Zarrillo
Piano, Synthesizer – Maurizio Zarillo
Synthesizer – Giampiero Artegiani

ISOPODA — Taking Root (1979-1999) Two Version | FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless

ISOPODA was often considered as Belgium Seventies best Progressive band. It plays a superb sophisticated and melodious Progressive rock, based upon the combinations between vovals, guitar, keyboards and flute. Working such as a goldsmith, ISOPODA composes pieces with a rare perfection, which could equal to the best GENESIS, enhanced by somptuous vocals and arrangements. On this album issued in 1981, this Belgian band performed an elegant Progressive with elaborated arrangements. They played refined melodies with wonderful vocals, nice flute & guitar parts. The GENESIS and Alan PARSONS' references are obvious: liking for velvet and refined melodies, which thanks to their fluidity, delicate accoustic parts and beauty, seduce the auditor. Progarchives
Tracklist :
1 Taking Root 5:01
2 The Usual Start 4:31
3 Endless Streets 5:04
4 Sunset Alley 3:17
5 Harbinger 1:52
6 Girls Will Be Girls 3:38
7 The Fall 5:36
8 O.K. With Me 3:11
9 Join With The Stream 5:53
10 You Flower 4:54
11 Black Mountain Cat 3:00
Credits :
Bass, Guitar, Backing Vocals – Arnold De Schepper (tracks: 1 to 11)
Drums – Marc Van der Schueren (tracks: 1 to 11)
Executive Producer – Musea
Guitar – Walter De Berlangeer (tracks: 1 to 9)
Keyboards – Luc Van Hove (tracks: 1 to 9)
Lead Vocals – Dirk De Schepper (tracks: 1 to 11)
Piano, Organ, Backing Vocals – Geert Amant (tracks: 10 & 11)

TANGERINE DREAM — Force Majeure (1979) RM | Tangerine Dream Definitive Edition Series | Two Version | FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless

Although Tangerine Dream is usually associated with synthesizers and the ambient movement that followed over a decade after such albums as Phaedra, Stratosfear, and Rubycon were recorded, Force Majeure shows the band displaying its roots in space rock. This time around, guitar and drums (played by Klaus Krieger) are as prominent as the keyboards. As the name would appear to indicate, the music on the album doesn't seem played so much as propelled forward, the overall pace rarely slackening for long. The title track is a suite that incorporates several distinct themes that segue into a cohesive whole via musical bridges. "Cloudburst Flight" is really an excuse for Edgar Froese to display his virtuosity on the electric six-string, which he does with amazing intensity. "Thru Metamorphic Rocks" begins with what sounds to be an album-ending theme, but then cross-fades into a hypnotic piece that builds upon a constant bed of pulsating sequencers and processed drums with various sound effects and still more keyboards until it fades out completely some 14 minutes later. An absolute necessity to those who might be at all curious about the band, or even successful experiments within the rock genre. Sections of the album would later appear in slightly altered versions on the soundtracks to the movies Risky Business and Thief. Brian E. Kirby
Tracklist :
1. Force Majeure - 18:15
Written-By – Christopher Franke, Edgar Froese
2. Cloudburst Flight - 7:25
Written-By – Christopher Franke, Edgar Froese
3. Thru Metamorphic Rocks - 14:28
Written-By – Christopher Franke, Edgar Froese
Line-up / Musicians
Edgar Froese - Keyboards, Electric & Acoustic Guitars, Effects, Producer
Chris Franke - Keyboards, Sequencers, Producer
Klaus Krieger - Drums, Percussion
+
Eduard Meyer - Cello, Engineer