Asfalto - Al Otro Lado (1978)

"Spanish outfit ASFALTO were born in 1972, when rock band Tickets decided that a change of moniker was needed. In the first few years the band experienced a series of line-up changes, but by 1975 a stable version of the band had settled in the shape of José Luis Jiménez (vocals, bass), Julio Castejón (guitar, vocals), Enrique Cajide (drums) and Lele Laína (guitar, vocals).." - ProgArchives

- Julio Castejón / guitars, vocals

- Enrique Cajide / drums

- Jorge Walter García Banegas / keyboards

- José Ramón Pérez / bass

1. No estás sólo (5:11)

2. Mujer de plástico (4:13)

3. Expectativa (6:28)

4. ¿Dónde estais? (3:27)

5. El viejo (6:02)

6. Nadie ha gritado (3:44)

7. Al otro lado (10:44)

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Klaatu - Hope (1977)

"..A true masterpiece; never to be repeated by the band. If I were to pick one story from an album to turn into a movie, this would be it. Just remember the last and final word of the Lighthouse Keeper, and keep Hope.." - mothershabooboo-ProgArchives

- John Woloschuk / vocals, bass, guitar, keyboards

- Dee Long / vocals, guitar

- Terry Draper / vocals, drums

1. We're off you know (4:00)

2. Madman (2:36)

3. Around the universe in 80 days(4:53)

4. Long live politzania (9:05)

5. The loneliest of creatures(3:41)

6. Prelude (5:43)

7. So said the lighthouse keeper (5:48)

8. Hope (3:48)

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Pink Floyd - Ummagumma (1969)

"What is there to say? Words lack for a majestic masterpiece like "Ummagumma"... The live versions of "Astronomy Domine", "Careful with that axe, Eugene", "Set the controls" and "A saucerful" are stunningly beautiful! Especially "Careful" is hauntingly beautiful... Should the taxman ring at the door, put on this track and he'll be gone forever...
The studio album is as brilliant. Richard Wright's "Sysyphus" proves again that he was a very important factor in the Floyd sound (see my review of "More"). "Grantchester Meadows" has the same tranquil effect as "Cirrus Minor" and gives a lazy summerafternoon feel... the effects at the end always sends a smile on my face as does the next Waters piece "Several Species of Small Furry Animals Gathered Together in a Cave and Grooving with a Pict"... Pure madness and what effects!!! Gilmore's "The narrow way" isn't too bad either though it is the track I like the least. Mason's "The Grand Vizier"s Garden Party" is another gem on this double album. Great stereo effects...
1969 was a fantastic year with albums like "More" and "Ummagumma", just like 1975 was for electronic music...
I think I'll have another helping of this musical feastly meal..." - Lieven Van Paemel-ProgArchives

- Roger Waters / bass, guitar, Gong, guitar (bass), vocals, tape

- Nick Mason / percussion, drums, timpani, tape

- Richard Wright / organ, piano, keyboards, vocals, Mellotron

- David Gilmour / organ, bass, guitar, piano, drums, vocals, Mellotron

GUEST:

- Lindy Mason / flute

1. Astronomy Domine (8:29)

2. Careful With That Axe, Eugene (Instrumental) (8:50)

3. Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun (9:12)

4. Saucerful of Secrets (12:48)

5. Sysyphus, Pt. 1 (1:08)

6. Sysyphus, Pt. 2 (3:30)

7. Sysyphus, Pt. 3 (1:49)

8. Sysyphus, Pt. 4 (6:59)

9. Grantchester Meadows (7:26)

10. Several Species of Small Furry Animals Gathered Together in a Cave and Grooving with a Pict (4:59)

11. Narrow Way, Pt. 1 (3:27)

12. Narrow Way, Pt. 2 (2:53)

13. Narrow Way, Pt. 3 (5:57)

14. Grand Vizier's Garden Party: Enterance, Pt. 1 (1:00)

15. Grand Vizier's Garden Party: Entertainment, Pt. 2 (7:06)

16. Grand Vizier's Garden Party: Exit, Pt. 3 (0:38)

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Gracious - Gracious! (1970)

"Another fine band from the early British Progressive Rock Movement (like FANTASY, RARE BIRD, CRESSIDA). After several personnel changes the final line-up became Alan Cowderoy (guitar), Paul Davis (vocals and 12-string guitar), Martin Kitcat (keyboards), Robert Lipson (drums) and Tim Wheatley (bass). A double-concert with KING CRIMSON turned out to be pivotal for the band's musical direction: Martin Kitcat was so impressed by KING CRIMSON's Mellotrons that he wanted to incorporate the Mellotron into the sound of GRACIOUS. In '70, GRACIOUS released their eponymous first album, a year later their second entitled "This is ... Gracious!". The end of the band came soon when they didn't get gigs and ran out of money. Both albums were released on one CD in '95." - Erik Neuteboom-ProgArchives

- Alan Cowderoy / guitar, vocals

- Martin Kitcat / piano, Harpsichord, keyboards, piano (electric), vocals, Mellotron

- Robert Lipson / drums

- Tim Wheatley / bass

- Paul Davis / guitar, vocals

1. Introduction (5:53)

2. Heaven (8:09)

3. Hell (8:33)

4. Fugue in 'D' Minor (5:05)

5. The Dream (16:58)

Bonus tracks on Repertoire reissue (2004):

6. Beautiful

7. What A Lovely Rain

8. Once On A Windy Day

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Moose Loose - Elgen Er Løs (1974)

"Jon Eberson eventually became a well-known musician in Norwegian jazz-rock circles. Moose Loose was one of his earliest groups, playing instrumental jazz-rock blending elements of ECM jazz and the Canterbury sound.
The first album featured five compositions typified by massive keyboards, Eberson's guitar interventions and unusually loud drums. This is the work of a young ensemble attempting to figure out their own direction. Blix and Hovensjø also played on several Terje Rypdal albums during this period.
Transition (1976) was a more polished and generally better effort. Their new sound with keyboards, electric violin and guitar was related to the French fusion sound (Spheroe, Michel Ripoche, Nemo, etc.).
Blow Out (1977) was recorded by three ex-members of Moose Loose plus the well-respected jazz drummer Jon Christensen. This is a relaxed, traditional 70's jazz-rock album, centered around guitars and keyboards. Eberson later formed Jon Eberson Group, featuring female vocalist Sidsel Endresen among others. Håkon Graf (previously of Ruphus) went off into a more bland and commercial jazz-funk direction."

- Jon Arild Eberson - guitar

- Brynjulf Blix - electric piano, mini moog, clavinet

- Sveinung Hovensjo - bass

- Pal Thowsen - drums

1. Eber's Funk

2. B.M.

3. Flytende Øye

4. Skakke Jens

5. O Kjød

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Emergency - Get Out To The Country (1973)

"The German based band Emergency was founded in 1970 by Czech musician Hanus Berka, who already had a career as an arranger and sideman in the States among others with Jan Hammer and Miroslav Vitous. The multicultural band consisted of Berka (sax & keyboards) fellow Czechs Jiro Matousek (keyboards), Otto Bezloja (bass) and Dusko Goykovic (trumpet), German drummer Udo Lindenberg and Englishman Barrie Newby on guitar.." - Martin 'Alucard' Horst-ProgArchives

-Hanus Berka/ Sax, Flute, E-Piano, Mellotron

-Yerzy Ziembrowski/ Bass

-Richard Palmer-James/ Guitars, Vocals

-Veit Marvos/ Organ, Synthesizer, E-Piano, Piano, Mellotron

-Peter Bischof/ Lead Vocals, Timbales, Percussion

-Bernd Knaak/Drums, Percussion

1. I know what´s wrong (5:40)

2. Jeremiah (6:06)

3. Take my hand (5:33)

4. Confessions (4:01)

5. Early in the morning (3:21)

6. The flag (4:00)

7. Little marie (3:44)

8. Get out to the country (12:07)

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Lighthouse - Can You Feel It (1973)

"Canadian brass rock band LIGHTHOUSE were formed in Toronto 1969. Unusually, the band leader Ronn "Skip" Prokop (born 13 December 1946 in Ontario) was a drummer, he has played previously with artists such as Janis Joplin, Carlos Santana and Al Kooper before forming his first band THE PAUPERS. Of these, the Kooper connection is probably the most significant, as the music of Lighthouse is based around a solid brass section and big arrangements, similar to those of BLOOD SWEAT AND TEARS and CHICAGO (TRANSIT AUTHORITY).." - Bob McBeath

- Dick Armin / Electric Cello

- Ralph Cole / Guitar, Vocals

- Don Dinovo / Five string electric Viola

- Dale Hillary / Tenor and alto Saxophone, Vocals

- John Naslen / Trumpet

- Skip Prokop / Guitar, Drums, Percussion, Vocals

- Larry Smith / Piano, Trombone, Vocals

- Rick Stepton / Trombone

- Alan Wilmot / Bass

1. Set the Stage (4:56)

2. Same Train (6:03)

3. Magic's in the Dancing (4:04)

4. Pretty Lady (3:57)

5. Disagreeable Man (5:29)

6. Can You Feel It (4:36)

7. Is Love the Answer (3:14)

8. Lonely Hours (6:25)

9. No More Searching (4:04)

10. Bright Side (4:26)

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Ardo Dombec - Ardo Dombec (1971)

"Not much is known about ARDO DOMBEC except that they were an early 70's German prog band who released an album with a heavy, bluesy, and slightly jazzy feel, ending up barely sounding German at all. Often compared to COLOSSEUM, their music features a lot of saxophone, often matched by electric guitar and flute. Their arrangements are upbeat and bright, yet the lyrics are rather dark and cynical in contrast. The band consisted of Helmut Hachmann on sax and flute, Harald Gleu on guitar and vocals, Wolfgang Spillner on drums and vocals, and Michael Ufer on bass.
Their only cd, entitled simply "Ardo Dombec" (1971), collects just about everything the band has ever recorded. At times, their jazzy material flirts with pop and at other times, it sounds downright baroque. The band obviously enjoys strange and complex rhythms, SOFT MACHINE style. Although they seem to favour vocal tracks (which aren't exactly their forte), it is in the instrumental sections that they truly shine. Technically speaking, the musicianship is fairly good but the compositions may lack a little inspiration and excitement.
Not an essential album by any means but certainly worth a listen, if only for Hachmann's heavy sax grooves." - Lise (HIBOU)

- Helmut Hachmann / sax, flute

- Harald Gleu / guitar and vocals

- Wolfgang Spillner / drums and vocals

- Michael Ufer / bass

1. Spectaculum (4:02)

2. Supper Time (3:19)

3. A Bit Near the Knuckle (4:32)

4. Clean-Up Sunday (6:50)

5. Downtown Paradise Lost (5:52)

6. Oh, Sorry (0:08)

7. 108 (4:36)

8. Unchangable Things?! (5:58)

Bonus tracks:

9. Heavenly Rose (3:54)

10. Open The Door, Open Your Mind (2:11)

11. Young And Strong (3:15)

12. Riverside (4:15)

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Brainstorm - Smile A While (1972)

"BRAINSTORM is an early 70's fusion quintet from Baden-Baden whose influences range from ZAPPA to SOFT MACHINE, CARAVAN and SUPERSISTER. Made up of unusual and highly complex harmonies, their music is dynamic and features lots of sax, flute and (distorted) organ. Although most of their albums are instrumental, their eccentric sense of humour surfaces at times in the form of quirky vocalizations à la MOTHERS OF INVENTION and GONG (they once called themselves FASHION PRICKS but got into a bit of trouble when they tried to sign a record deal, so they switched to FASHION PINK and then eventually became BRAINSTORM). The core of the band is made up of a trio of schoolmates with conservatory training: Roland Schaeffer on sax, vibraphone, guitar, bass and vocals; Eddy von Overheidt on organ, piano and vocals; and Joe Koinzer on drums and percussion." - Lise (HIBOU)

- Eddy van Overheidt / keyboards, vocals

- Rainer Bodensohn / flutes, bass

- Roland Schaffer / saxes, clarinet, bass, guitars

- Joe Koinzer / drums

- Harold Wagner / bass on 7, 8 and 9

1. Das Schwein Truegt (4:40)

2. Zwick Zwick (4:40)

3. Watch Time Flow By (1:29)

4. Bosco Biati WeiB Alles (8:59)

5. Snakeskin Tango (2:20)

6. Smile A While (15:34)

7. You Are What's Gonna Make It Last (live) (3:31)

8. Don't Forget (live) (0:25)

9. Thesen & Antithesen (live) (14:01)

10. Einzug Der Elefanten (4:09)

11. You Knock Me Out (3:03)

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