Lone Star - Firing At All Six (1977)

"Kenny Driscoll left the band after the eponymous first album, to be replaced by Coverdale look-alike John Sloman. Roy Thomas Baker was no longer in the producer's chair, so the guitars lost a bit of their edge and the band took on a slightly more funky approach. Drummer Dixie Lee is again on great form here and must rate as one of the best drummers in rock.An excellent follow-up to the debut, although the guitar sounds could have been a bit "meatier". Both this and the debut album were re-released on a single CD a few years ago, after being unobtainable for a while. Anyone who likes the rockier end of prog should grab a copy now."- Chopper - ProgArchives

- John Sloman / vocals, harmony vocals

- Rick Worsnop / keyboards, background vocals

- Paul Chapman / guitar

- Tony Smith / background vocals, harmony vocals, guitar

- Dixie Lee / drums, background vocals, percussion

1. The Bells Of Berlin

2. The Ballad Of Crafty Jack

3. Time Lays Down

4. Hypnotic Mover

5. Lovely Lubina

6. Seasons In Your Eyes

7. Rivers Overflowing

8. All Of Us To All Of You

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Sperrmüll - Sperrmüll (1973)

"Long time lost krautrock classic delivering a dynamic, complex combination between fuzzy freak out improvisations (full of Hammond organs and catchy heavy guitar leads) & folk epic arrangements for the flute. They published only one album in 1970 in a rather anonymus way at D. Dierks's studio (for the Brain label in a very limited edition, lately re-published by Second battle). A very accomplished essay. Similar to (early) Deep Purple, Nosferatu and Rufus Zuphall." - ProgArchives

- Helmut Krieg / guitar, mandolin, vocals

- Harald Kaiser / bass, vocals

- Reinhold Breuer / drums, percussion

- Peter Schneider / organ, electric piano, synthesizer

1. Me An My Girlfriend (5:05)

2. No Freak Out (6:43)

3. Rising Up (6:32)

4. Right Now (9:09)

5. Land Of The Rocking Sun (4:30)

6. Pat Casey (3:20)

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Yes - Yes (1969)

" The Yes debut is mightily impressive. Today it seems even more creative when one looks back at their recorded history and how they continually developed with each album. This is where their foundation was set and everything that happened subsequently comes back to this fine recording.
Jon Anderson and Chris Squire melded their vocals in sparkling fashion in all of these songs. The melody and rhythm of tracks like "Every Little Thing" and "Dear Father" are an indication of what fruit the future would bear for this legendary band. Their ability to mix progressive sounds with pop would prove to be their strongest asset and it still is today.
The freshness and clarity of the sound on this version is outstanding, just as every other remaster I have heard thus far from the Yes catalog is. With a generous helping of bonus tracks (six), the listener gets a glimpse of different versions of tracks while listening to the developmental stages of each like never before. That can be the most rewarding aspect of bonus tracks when they are chosen with discriminating care as they are on this CD. This is the best place to start if you are purchasing all the remasters, although I did it in a different order, the impact was just as powerful." - Muzikman-ProgArchives

- Jon Anderson / vocals
- Chris Squire / bass and vocals
- Tony Kaye / keyboards
- Bill Bruford / drums
- Peter Banks / guitars

1. Beyond and Before (4:50)
2. I See You (6:33)
3. Yesterday and Today (2:37)
4. Looking Around (3:49)
5. Harold Land (5:26)
6. Every Little Thing (5:24)
7. Sweetness (4:19)
8. Survival (6:01)

Bonus tracks on Elektra remaster (2003)

9. Everydays (single version) (6:23)
10. Dear Father (early version #2) (5:51)
11. Something's Coming (7:08)
12. Everydays (early version) (5:18)
13. Dear Father (early version #1) (5:31)
14. Something's Coming (early version) (8:02)

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Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath (1970)

"This debut album by Black Sabbath titled Black Sabbath is not a progressive album, but it has some progressive elements. What they did was take jazz, blues and hard rock to make something that nobody had ever heard before and make one of the most influential albums and become one of the most influential bands across Metal, Hard Rock and Progressive Rock Genres.
This is just a awesome album and sould be enjoyed by all. 5 stars" - Mitch17-ProgArchives

Tony Iommi - Lead Guitar & Keyboards

Geezer Butler - Bass

Ozzy Osbourne - Vocals

Bill Ward - Drums

Black Sabbath

The Wizard

Behind the Wall of Sleep

N.I.B.

Evil Woman

Sleeping Village

The Warning

Wicked World

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Al Di Meola, John McLaughlin, Paco De Lucia - Friday Night In San Francisco (1980)

"If you are a lover of jazz and flamenco and acoustic guitar then this is for you. Awesome. Guitarists Al Di Meola, John McLaughlin and Paco de Lucia are the best in their genre and their performance is breathtaking. Words cannot describe their impact...you must hear it."-Franco58-SilverainTR

-Al Di Meola – Guitar

-John McLaughlin – Guitar

-Paco de Lucía – Guitar

1. Mediterranean Sundance

2. Rio Ancho

3. Short Tales Of The Black Forest

4. Frevro Rasgado

5. Fantasia Suite

6. Guardian Angel

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Patto - Hold Your Fire (1971)

"Hold Your Fire, Patto's second album is not a radical departure from the style of the first one but it does have a bit more finesse and not such a bare exposing warts and all production. There is more complexity but it's still the powerful mix of rock and jazz they blended so successfully on that previous album. Patto never managed to get the success they deserved but Hold Your Fire and their eponymous debut are two early seventies gems that fans of great guitar playing in particular should check out. Highly recommended." - Nightfly-ProgArchives

Mike Patto / vocals

Ollie Halsall / guitar, piano, vibes, vocals

John Halsey / drums, vocals

Clive Griffiths / bass

01 - Hold Your Fire

02 - You, You Point Your Finger

03 - Hows Your Father

04 - See You At The Dance Tonight

05 - Give It All Away

06 - Air Raid Shelter

07 - Tell Me Where You've Been

08 - Magic Door

09 - Beat The Drum

10 - Bad News

11 - Air Raid Shelter (Alternative Version)

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Le Stelle Di Mario Schifano - Dedicato A (1967)

"This is not prog but is nevertheless a milestone in italian music.It is a sort of Andy's Warhol Velvet Underground.Mario Schifano was a famous pop painter and photographer artist and among all is work he wanted to create a musical happening,a sort of art form and for this he contacted this musicians and they made this album,which is very psychedelic.It was never distribuited through shops,it was sold at concerts as an art object (The cover is a highly-rated work of art,done by Mario Schifano and the price was about 10 times the cost of a normal LP) and because of this did not sell very well and therefore it is very rare,i'm not sure but it probably sold no more than 100 copies.A good copy can be sold at more than £ 2000 and even now that it has been released on CD it is still very collectable.It is not a masterpiece musically( 3 stars for music) but it is nice to know and have something so important for italian music in your possession( 5 stars for historic importance).Hope you will enjoy it." - Franco58-SilverainTR

-Urbano Orlandi-Guitar/Vocals

-Nello Marini-Keybords/Vocals

-GianDomenico Crescentini-Bass

-Sergio Cerra-Drums

-Franscesca Camerana-Acoustic Guitar/Vocals

-Guest Musicians-?

1. Le Ultime Parole di Brandimante, dall’Orlando Furioso, ospite Peter Harman e Fine

(Da ascoltarsi con tv accesa, senza volume) (17.20)

2. Molto Alto (3.12)

3. Susan Song (3.36)

4. E Dopo (2.09)

5. Intervallo (2.30)

6. Molto Lontano (a Colori) (2.45)

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Peter Hammill - Enter K (1982)

"On Enter K, we hear the new and slightly more accessible direction from Sitting Targets fleshed out with a real rocking band behind him. Almost an entire VDGG cast. Hammill must have drawn a lot of inspiration from working with some other musicians again as the song writing is really superb here.
Paradox Drive is the closest thing to a pop song you'll ever get to hear from Hammill. At least if you would call similar songs like John Cale's Dead or Alive a pop song. What follows is one highlight after the other. With Jackson's leading sax, The Unconscious Life comes close to an 80's reincarnation of VDGG. Accidents is one of my Hammill favourites, perfectly balancing between his new wave experiments and his ever obsessive delivery. Don't Tell Me is one of his great ballads.." - Bonnek-ProgArchives

- Peter Hammill / guitar, keyboards, vocals

- Nic Potter / bass

- John Ellis / guitar

- Guy Evans / drums

- David Jackson / saxophone

1. Paradox Drive (4:36)

2. The Unconscious Life (5:07)

3. Accidents (4:39)

4. The Great Experiment (5:14)

5. Don't Tell Me (4:46)

6. She Wraps It Up (4:24)

7. Happy Hour (9:18)

8. Seven Wonders (4:27)

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Argent - Counterpoints (1975)

"Counterpoints is by far Rod Argent's greatest work to date. He has broken out of the R&R mode and explores jazz fused and mixed with progressive rock. The musicians on the album are top notch and the album was meticulously produced. 5 out of 5 stars. Thanks Rod for this masterpiece!!" - Ted Reed-ProgArchives

- Rod Argent / keyboards, vocals

- John Grimaldi / lead guitar, cello, violin, mandolin

- Bob Henrit / drums

- Jim Rodford / bass

- John Verity / rhythm guitar, bass, vocals

1. On my feet again

2. I can't remember

3. But yes

4. Time

5. Waiting for the yellow one

6. It's off

7. Be strong

8. Rock & roll show

9. Butterfly

10. Road back home

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City Boy - Dinner At The Ritz (1976)

" Maybe not real prog music, but very good pop music which I appreciate very much. It is a pity their music is so hard to find in stores. They deserve more public attention. All their CD's are good, but this one is their best in my opinion. Good vocals, fine musicianship. No ordinary couplet - refrain music, but nice twists and turns." Sander-ProgArchives

- Steve Broughton / guitar, vocals

- Chris Dunn / bass, acoustic guitar

- Roger Kent / drums

- Los Mason / lead vocals

- Mike Slamer / acoustic & electric guitars

- Max Thomas / keyboards

Guest musicians:

- B. J. Cole / pedal steel guitar

- Jack Holstein / fiddle

- David Jackson / saxophone, vocals

- Robert John Mutt Lange / bass

- Fiachra Trench / piano

- Van Der Graaf Generator / vocals (4)

1. Momma's Boy (3:43)

2. Walk On The Water (3:42)

3. Narcissus (5:26)

4. Dinner At The Ritz (6:41)

5. Goodbye Blue Monday (5:01)

6. The Violin (7:20)

7. State Secrets - A Thriller (7:33)

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The Moody Blues - Every Good Boy Deserves Favour (1971)

"DESOLATION ! CREATION ! a classical opening track for this MOODIES album ,kind of musical happening as they did for most of their albums.soon HAYWARD injects a strong pop rock piece and it's good to remember he's a good guitar player and a great songwritter.The album is a beautiful blend of rock and flavoured pop songs.I know the question,is it as prog as in the beguenings ? I don't wonder ,it's a MOODIES album ,it's a whole and ther's no difference with early releases like IN SEARCH or ON THE THRESHOLD .It's kind of a musical alchemy because every musician brings his own colour in songwritting and the result is a colourful firework. Of course! i know ,for all those who discover this music today, it mays appear a bit soft and naive but it needs several listenings for squeesing out the precious sap.So many years later, i'm still keen on all the beautiful PHIL TRAVERS cover artworks. 5 stars,of course!" - jean-marie-ProgArcgives

- Justin Hayward / guitars, vocals

- John Lodge / bass guitar, vocals

- Michael Pinder / keyboards, vocals

- Ray Thomas / harmonica, flute, vocals

- Graeme Edge / drums, percussion

1. Procession (4:40)

2. The story in your eyes (2:56)

3. Our guessing game (3:34)

4. Emily's song (3:42)

5. After you came (4:39)

6. One more time to live (5:41)

7. Nice to be here (4:23)

8. You can never go home (4:14)

9. My song (6:19)

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Magma - Mekanïk Destruktïw Kommandöh (1973)

"OH WOW! This is what they call the Zeuhl style, a progressive rock subgenre! How does it sound like? This record is partly a mix of the Frank Zappa's "Teenage prostitute" track, his "200 motels" album, the Philip Glass' Photographer album, the Mike Oldfield's 70's work and the Pink Floyd's "Atom heart mother" track (the vocals)! The combination of Zappa- esque trumpets of the early 70's and orgasmic & emotive male + female opera singers is absolutely delightful! Add some excellent percussions (small bells), rhythmic piano parts, a complex bass, elaborated drums and you get this wonderful Zeuhl record of the early 70's. The mood principle is to repeat incessantly some brief complex parts made of emotive opera vocals, safely enhanced by rich bass, percussions, drums, piano and horns arrangements. ALL the tracks are excellent! "Nebehr Gudahtt" is absolutely hysterical!! This record is very sexy, and it seems to celebrate the pleasure in its most orgasmic, magmatic form. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!" - greenback-ProgArchives

- Christian Vander / drums, vocals, organ, percussion

- Jannick Top / bass

- Klaus Blasquiz / vocals, percussion

- Jean-Luc Manderlier / piano, organ

- René Garber / bass clarinet, vocals

- Claude Olmos / guitar

- Stella Vander / choir organik Kommandeuhr

- Muriel Streisfeld, Evelyn Razymovski, Michele Saulnier, Doris Reihnardt, Stella Vander / choir

- Teddy Lasry / brass organik Kommandeuhr, flute

1. Hortz Fur Dëhn Stekëhn Ẁest (9:34)

2. Ïma Sürï Dondaï (4:28)

3. Kobaïa Is De Hündïn (3:35)

4. Da Zeuhl Ẁortz Mëkanïk (7:48)

5. Nebëhr Gudahtt (6:00)

6. Mëkanïk Kömmandöh (4:08)

7. Kreühn Köhrmahn Iss De Hündïn (3:14)

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City Boy - Young Men Gone West (1977)

"Following "Dinner At The Ritz", this album once again delivers a create album full of interesting music and that certain unique City Boy quality and charm. For those not familiar with City Boy are really missing out...imagine the creativity of 10CC with the craftmanship of the finest progressive rock bands of the 70's. Musically City Boy blend funk, rock and prog elements to create their signature sound with expressive vocals and clever lyrics. This album offers a nice mix of ballads and rockers and is an excellent listen. I also am a big fan of the title track "Young Men Gone West" which is my personal pick from this album."-loserboy-ProgArchives

- Tony Braunagel / drums

- Steve Broughton / guitar, vocals

- Chris Dunn / bass, acoustic guitar

- Lol Mason / lead vocals

- Mike Slammer / acoustic & electric guitars

- Max Thomas / keyboards

Guest musicians:

- Albie Donnelly / saxophone

- Frank Ricotti / percussion

- Geoff Tristram / cello

1. Bordello Night (3:04)

2. Dear Jean (I'm Nervous) (5:33)

3. Honeymooners (3:55)

4. She's Got Style (3:23)

5. Bad For Business (3:33)

6. Young Men Gone West (4:05)

7. I've Been Spun (3:19)

8. One After Two (3:27)

9. Runaround (3:16)

10. Man Who Ate His Car (3:00)

11. The Millionaire (4:26)

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Led Zeppelin - Physical Graffiti (1975)

"This with Led Zeppelin III are perhaps the best of the lot. Physical Graffiti is a double album that delivers consistently from the rockin ' Custard Pie' and ' The Rover'. The excellent bluesy ' In My Time Of Dying' - eleven odd minutes of it. ' Houses Of The Holy' is perhaps the best track on the album. I stand corrected but I was always under the impression that PG was a fully released double LP and not a hotch potch compilation made up from various rejects or outtakes that perhaps another reviewer is referencing.' Trampled Under Foot' is a great raucous rocker of a song, great keyboards and guitar work. The key to Led Zeppelin's success was the blend of all four musicians.' Kashmir', another Tolkienesque Middle Earth feeling song builds to a great climax with vocals like ' Watch the sun beat down upon my face....''...There were elders of a different race.....". Lyrics of stunning spiritual atmospheres. The music connects with the soul, powerful stuff indeed..." - Chris S-ProgArchives

- Jimmy Page / acoustic & electric guitars, mandolin
- Robert Plant / harmonica, vocals
- John Paul Jones / bass, keyboards, Mellotron, guitar, mandolin
- John Bonham / drums, percussion
- Ian Stewart / piano (4)

CD 1
1. Custard Pie (4:13)
2. The Rover (5:36)
3. In My Time of Dying (11:04)
4. Houses of the Holy (4:01)
5. Trampled Under Foot (5:35)
6. Kashmir (8:31)

CD 2
1. In the Light (8:44)
2. Bron-Yr-Aur (2:06)
3. Down by the Seaside (5:14)
4. Ten Years Gone (6:31)
5. Night Flight (3:36)
6. The Wanton Song (4:06)
7. Boogie with Stu (3:51)
8. Black Country Woman (4:24)
9. Sick Again (4:43)

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Birth Control - Count On Dracula! (1980)

"BIRTH CONTROL were formed at the end of sixties. In those early years they played hybrid jazz rock compositions, mainly instrumental. They recorded their first album for Metronome bringing to the fore an accent for humour and provoking thoughts (the name of the band and the album cover illustrate it as well). Their second album "Operation" shows a great improvement in sound, a kind of heavy rock based sound with subtle jazzy arrangements. This album had a great success for the Ohr label (specialised to promote the rise of the German underground rock scene). In 1972, "Believe InThe Pill" was also released for Ohr. After several replacements, the quintet recorded "Rebirth", a progressive heavy rock album. In 1976, "Blackdoor Possibilities" was a commercial failure due to a more mainstream sound and the inclusion of more jazz elements. "Increase" recorded in 1977 marked a return to the hard rock source. BIRTH CONTROL come back to light in the 90s for many reunion albums as "Jungle Life" or "Two Worlds"." - Philippe Blache

- Bruno Frenzel / guitars, backing vocals

- Wolfgang Horn / keyboards, backing vocals

- Bernd Noske / lead vocals, f/x, percussion

- Horst Stachelhaus / bass

- Manfred von Bohr / drums

1. Count on Dracula (6:16)

2. The rescue - sometimes in the future (6:37)

3. Sad fan (6:27)

4. Pick on me (6:25)

5. Caterpillar (5:07)

6. Limelight (3:52)

7. Witchhunters (4:05)

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