Moğollar - Ağrı Dağı Efsanesi

Alan Stivell - Renaissance of the Celtic Harp (1972)

"I was first treated to this album in about 1975 and whilst I appreciate the album in terms of themes and melodies it never really reigned supreme. The celtic harp playing is wonderfully hypnotic at times and Alan Stivell shows his true talents but there are a whole host of other fine musicians that lend a hand to this studio offering. The bass in particular stands out nicely accompanied by great choral arrangements. The standout piece of music would have to be ' Gaeltacht' but my personal favourite is ' Ys' the opener and it is IMO more distinctive sounding than the rest of the album. Alan Stivell was for this reviewer and early pioneer of the harp, others followed like Andreas Vollenweider and even some of Vangelis's work is similar but of course Stivell has that folk edge to his music. The album is good and would be a great starting point for anyone wanting an initiation to this French artiste." - Chris S - ProgArchives

Alan Stivell / celtic harp, flute, bagpipes, bombarde
Michel Delaporte / percussion
Guy Cascales / drums
Gerard Levasseur / bass
Gerard Salkowsky / bass
Dan Ar Braz / electric and acoustic guitars
Gilles Tinayre / organ
Yann-Fanch Ar Merdy / scottish drums
Mig Ar Biz / bombarde
Alan Kloatr / bombarde
Jean Huchot / cello
Henri Delagarde / cello
Manuel Recasens / cello
Stephane Wiener / alto
Gabriel Bauvais / alto
Paul Hadjaje / alto
Pierre Cheval / alto
Jean-Marc Dollez / acoustic bass
Anne Germain, Claude Germain, Jean Claude Briodin, Francoise Wall, Jacques Hendrix, Daniele Bartolletti / choir

1. Ys (8:40)
2. Marv Pontkalleg (3:27)
3. Ap Huw and Penllyn (2:56)
4. Eliz Iza (2:54)
5. Gaeltacht (18:54)

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Pulsar - Halloween (1977)

"This is pure prog heaven through and through and in my opinion remains one of France greatest Prog moments..Although other PULSAR releases are excellent, "Halloween" is my fav and for many good reasons. The intro is perhaps the greatest prog moment ever captured and will certainly tear your heart out. "Halloween" open with the soliloquy of a little boy introducing to the listener the main theme from which PULSAR build on. "Halloween" transforms in structure and theme throughout moving in and out of many different musical passages. This is one of my all time favorite concept prog releases and must be owned by all prog heads. Many proggers have been disappointed after hearing so many good things about this release, but I must tell you that it has been love since day 1. "Halloween" is very easy to listen to and offers a very complete "orchestral -like" feel throughout. " - Loserboy - ProgArchives

- Victor Bosch / drums, percussion, vibes
- Gilbert Gandil / guitars, vocals
- Michel Masson / bass guitar
- Roland Richard / flute, clarinet, acoustic piano, strings
- Jacques Roman / keyboards, Mellotron, synthesizers,

Guest musicians:
- Xavier Dubuc / congas
- Sylvia Ekström / child voice (1a)
- Jean-Louis Rebut / voice (2e)
- Jean Ristori / cello

1. Halloween part I: (20:30)
a) Halloween song (1:20)
b) Tired answers (9:30)
c) Colours of childhood (6:00)
d) Sorrow in my dreams (3:40)
2. Halloween part II: (18:40)
a) Lone fantasy (4:50)
b) Dawn over darkness (6:10)
c) Misty garden of passion (2:15)
d) Fear of frost (3:35)
e) Time (1:50)

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Pulsar - The Strands Of The Future (1976)

"PULSAR's "Strands Of The Future" is one of the classic space prog rock albums of the 70's IMHO and remains to this day one of likely candidates for my desert island list ! Highlighted by the 22 Mins titled epic this album will blow your mind into another dimension. This album has everything I love... lots of FLOYDian keyboard spaceyness, great guitar soloing and accents and wonderful bass/drum interplay. Vocals are sung mostly in English with the exception of the epic track, which has a few words sung in native French. Vintage keyboards are used throughout featuring the Mellotron, moog and organ. Songs are very well written and give an overall feel of PINK FLOYD with a mix of ANGE and/or KING CRIMSON. My only criticism I have ever had about this album is the rather reduced sound quality which differs in contrast to their masterpiece "Halloween" which was exceptionally well recorded. However the album is still of course very listenable and remains a classic for sure and one of my favs. " - Loserboy - ProgArchives

- Victor Bosch / drums, percussion
- Gilbert Gandil / guitars, vocals
- Roland Richard / flute, strings
- Jacques Roman / organ, Mellotron, bass, synthesizers

1. The strands of the future (22:08)
2. Flight (2:37)
3. Windows (8:47)
4. Fool's failure (10:17)

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Pulsar - Pollen (1975)

"Incredible, if not a bit underrated debut from this French prog band. The music here tends to be mellow, but a bit more experimental than their following albums. This is their only album where they sing in French (their following albums, they sing so unintelligibly, you can't tell if they're singing in English or French, or both - but of course, those are great albums too). The only English you hear here is some spoken dialog. The keyboard setup is basically the Solina string synths, the ARP 2600 synthesizer, and piano. Oddly the Mellotron isn't present here (but is on their following two albums). Mainly mellow prog, this is great stuff, and a classic debut" - Proghead - ProgArchives

- Victor Bosch / drums, percussion
- Gilbert Gandil / guitars, vocals
- Roland Richard / flute, strings
- Jacques Roman / keyboards, synths
- Philippe Roman / bass, vocals
- Carmel Williams / voice (3)

1. Pulsar (3:00)
2. Apaisement (7:30)
3. Puzzle / Omen (8:00)
4. Le cheval de Syllogie (7:00)
5. Pollen (13:05)

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King Crimson - Starless

Barclay James Harvest - Live (1974)

"Barclay James Harvest Live" is one of my personal favourite live albums of all time showcasing what "symphonic rock" is all about. BJH Live is dripping sweet mellotron meadows and heavenly guitar and bass interplay. Musically these guys were amazing and the live vibe you get off this album will put you in a state of amazement. Many songs are extended and arranged differently than on their studio albums and are given lots of room to breathe. BJH's hallmark sound was the softly caressing vocal harmonies of John Lees, Les Holroyd and Stuart "Woolly Wolstenholme" and the juxtaposition with the warm sounds of the mellotron. According to the extensive notes from the Re-mastered version, they had lots of problems with the mellotron acting up and making weird tones, but none of this is apparent. Originally "Live" was released as a double vinyl album in November 1974 and today stands as one of BJH's pinnacle albums. " - Loserboy - ProgArchives

- Les Holroyd / vocals, bass, guitars
- John Lees / vocals, guitars, recorder
- Mel Pritchard / drums
- Stuart "Woolly" Wolstenholme / vocals, keyboards, Mellotron

1. Summer soldier (10:17)
2. Medicine Man (10:25)
3. Crazy City (4:58)
4. After The Day (7:27)
5. The Great 1974 Mining Disaster (6:30)
6. Galadriel (3:18)
7. Negative Earth (6:20)
8. She Said (8:33)
9. Paper Wings (4:19)
10. For No One (5:53)
11. Mockingbird (7:37)

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Osage Tribe - Arrow Head (1972)

"OSAGE TRIBE released this their only album back in 1972,they were a trio with the guitarist coming from NUOVA IDEA.The drummer went on to play for THE TRIP and I DIK DIK among others, while the bassist not only had a solo career but he played in IL VOLO as well.So yeah lots of talent here.The sound is very much heavy drums, and bass with raw sounding guitar. "Hajenhanhowa" opens with clashing cymbals and piano before soft vocals arrive before 2 minutes.Harmonica before 3 1/2 minutes.The song starts to come to life thankfully after 4 1/2 minutes.Guitar before 7 minutes. "Arrow Head" hits the ground running with bass,drums and gutar creating havoc.Vocals a minute in.This is an uptempo rocker. "Cerchio Di Luce" is more restrained with them contrasting the mellow sections with the raw guitar and drum passages.The bass actually sounds like an upright one later. "Soffici Bianchi Veli" opens with drums followed by a raw and aggressive soundscape.Nice guitar 2 minutes in as he lights it up.It settles with vocals before 3 1/2 minutes.Here we go after 6 minutes as it kicks back in.Vocals and a calm after 8 minutes. "Orizzonti Senta Fine" features bass,drums and restrained vocals early.The guitar starts to make some noise before 5 minutes.It calms right down after 7 minutes.I never include the bonus tracks when i rate an album, and in this case that's a good thing.Haha.The two songs are one in the same,one is the Italian version and the other is the English version. This is a good,bluesy flavoured album that is quite well done" - Mellotron Storm - ProgArchives

- Marco Zoccheddu / guitar, keyboards, harmonica, vocals
- Bob Callero / bass, vocals
- Ninzio "Cucciolo" Fava / drums, vocals
- Franco Battiato / vocals (only on bonus tracks on CD-release)

1. Hajenhanhowa (9:38)
2. Arrow Head (5:16)
3. Cerchio di Luce (7:19)
4. Soffici Bianchi Veli (9:40)
5. Orizzonti Senza Fine (8:21)

Bonus tracks on CD re-release

6. Un Falco Nel Cielo (2:58)
7. Prehistoric Sound (2:57)

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Can - Monster Movie (1969)

"You can probably fault this album as far as "compositional complexity" goes -- no monster keyboard solos ala Emerson or Wakeman or any of that rubbish. But in terms of "sheer enveloping sound" and GROOOVE it's a stone classic.
So much of the great 80's underground/indie-postpunk owes a debt to this milestone: PIL, Mission of Burma, Sonic Youth . . . truly Can was a band ahead of its time.
But definitely more on the avant/primitivist end of the prog spectrum." - dog3000 - ProgArchives

- Holger Czukay / bass

- Michael Karoli / guitar

- Jaki Liebezeit / drums

- Irmin Schmidt / keyboards

- Malcolm Mooney / vocals

1. Father Cannot Yell (7:01)

2. Mary, Mary so Contrary (4:16)

3. Outside my Door (4:06)

4. You doo Right (20:14)

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Led Zeppelin - Kashmir

Focus - Hamburger Concerto (1974)

"The peak from our fave Dutchmen.
Harem scarem is almost in the same mould than Hocus Pocus with hilarious vocals and energetic guitars. La Cathedrale De Strasbourg is simply gorgeous with subtle singing and delighful bells and percussions. Birth by comparison pales a bit but is still a fine classical rework tune and a highlight on almost any other Focus album.
But the Concerto in itself is the real gem taking up a full side of vinyl, each movement being named after a manner of cooking the hamburger. For once I cannot blame Focus to stretch out an idea too long. This 20 min+ track is absolutely stunning and is riveting you to your sofa until the track is over. This is the album to prove that even almost instrumental prog can full of humour without proper lyrics.
Easily their better album , I can assure you that you will not regret this." - Sean Trane - ProgArchives

- Thijs van Leer / organ, piano, harpsichord, electric piano, flute, alto-flute, arp synthesiser, recorder mellotron, vibes, accordion, the organ of St. Mary the Virgin - Barnes, handclaps, all voices, whistling

- Bert Ruiter / bass guitar, auto harp, triangles, chinese finger cymbals, handclaps, swiss bells

- Colin Allen / drums, conga drum, tambourine, castanets, cabasa, woodblock, chinese gong, timpani, handclaps, flexatone, cuica

- Jan Akkerman / all guitars, lute, timpani, handclaps

1. Delitae Musicae (1:13)

2. Harem Scarem (5:52)

3. La Cathdral De Strasbourg (4:59)

4. Birth (7:46)

5. Hamburger Concerto (20:19)

i) Starter

ii) Rare

iii) Medium I

iv) Medium II

v) Well Done

vi) One For The Road

6. Early Birth (2:54)

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Out Of Focus - Out Of Focus (1971)

"In my opinion, besides Embryo, Out Of Focus must have been the best and most original band that ever emerged from my home town. Those guys really carried this type of "Krautrock" spirit of musicians playing for their fun and not for any commercial interests. Mentioning the term "Krautrock" though belonging in some way into this particular scene (since they've been also quite drug-inspired obviously) the music they presented here exhibited some blend of psyche folk/blues-rock and jazzy hardrock jammin' not that far away from bands like Colosseum, Nucleus or Soft Machine. Slight comparisons might be drawn as well to country fellows Kraan and Embryo but this band actually had shown a quite unique and self-contained style. The jazz influence wasn't here yet as strong as it would be on their third album and comes most obvious in the great 13+ min track "Whispering". "It's Your Life", "Blue Sunday Morning" and "Fly Bird Fly" are more flute-dominated psyche folk numbers wheras the rest of the tracks reveal superb extended jammin' with awesome sax and organ play. There's not one filler on here and especially the instrumental sections are brilliant. If there are a few points to be substracted from the full score than it's due to the vocal performances by Moran Neumüller which aren't really that great but the instrumental parts are prevailing here anyway. Actually I'd rate both their second and their third album equally with 90 % on the MPV scale! (****1/2 really!) " - hdfisch - ProgArchives

- Remingius Drechsler / guitars, stylophone, tenor saxophone, flutes, voice
- Hennes Hering / organ, piano
- Moran Neumüller / soprano saxophone, vocals
- Klaus Spöri / drums
- Stephen Wishen / bass

1. What Can a Poor Boy Do (5:52)
2. It's Your Life (4:31)
3. Whispering (13:34)
4. Blue Sunday Morning (8:20)
5. Fly Bird Fly (5:09)
6. Television Program (11:45)

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Porcupine Tree - Fear Of A Blank Planet

Jumbo - DNA (1972)

"Jumbo took their name from the nickname of lead singer Alvaro Fella, a vocalist with a distinctive gravelly voice who sounds to me like an Italian Alex Harvey. Opinions seem to differ on whether this or their following album ''Vietato ai Minori di 18 Anni'' is the better, but in truth they're both excellent. The first half of this album is taken up by the 20-minute ''Suite Per Il Sig K'', an absolutely storming blues-prog epic that overflows with energetic flute phrases and blues-harp licks. The remainder of the album is perhaps a bit of an anti-climax after this track, although there's never what you might call a dull moment. Dario Guidotti's superb harmonica and flute combo is well to the fore again on ''Miss Rand'', an apparently lighthearted tale about a teacher being burned alive in a housefire! The lyrics are in Italian of course, but I'll take a fellow reviewer's word for it that it's funny. ''E'Brutto Sentirsi Vecchi'' is a fairly downbeat acoustic piece that laments the effects of growing old (tell me about it!), while closing song ''Hai Visto'' sees the album out with some interesting psychedelic organ and jazz- spirited piano. DNA is one of the finest blues-based prog albums around, a bold mix of invention of passion with obvious similarities to the embryonic Jethro Tull. Great stuff indeed. " - Seventhsojourn - ProgArchives

- Alvaro Fella / vocals, acoustic guitar, sax, keyboards, percussion
- Daniele Bianchini / guitar
- Dario Guidotti / flute, mouth harp, acoustic guitar, percussion
- Sergio Conte / keyboards, vocals
- Aldo Gargano / bass, guitar
- Vito Balzano / drums, percussion, vocals

1. Suite Per Il Sig. K - (20:46)
- Sta Accadendo Qualcosa Dentro Me
- Ed Ora Corri
- Dio E'
2. Miss Rand (5:05)
3. E' Brutto Sentirsi Vecchi (6:34)
4. Hai Visto... (7:20)

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