Issue 10

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Available online from Issue 10

5uu's - Point of Views

From the beginning, led by drummer Dave Kerman, 5uu's started out as the west-coast answer to the European RIO music of the day. Their first mini-album Bel Marduk & Tiamat echoes...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1996-08-01)

Agitation Free - Fragments

[Musique Intemporelle edition from 1995]

Agitation Free are one of Germany's finest space rock groups, an outfit that launched the careers of many respected musicians like...

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(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1996-08-01)

Airborne - Walk on Water

Lead vocalist Baggi Buchmann was a prominent contributor to German keyboardist Ines' Hunting the Fox album a couple years ago. Here he is featured with his regular band, a five piece...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1996-08-01)

Albergo Intergalattico Spaziale - Albergo Intergalattico Spaziale

Now that nearly all of the classic Italian albums have been reissued, all that remains now is the most obscure material. Case in point... Albergo Intergalattico Spaziale was the duo of Mino di...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1996-08-01)

Alpha III - Voyage to Ixtlan

Amir Cantusio Jr's Alpha III project has been a Brazilian mainstay since the early 80s. Voyage to Ixtlan is Cantusio's eighth album under this name and has gone from independent...

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(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1996-08-01)

Alphataurus - Dietro l'Uragano

In the early 70s, there were so many great progressive bands on the Italian scene, that even some of the best were overlooked. Case in point: Alphataurus were a five-piece who released their only...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1996-08-01)

Alquimia & Jose Luis Fernandez Ledesma - Dead Tongues

Alquimia is a vocalist, composer and multi-instrumentalist who has three previous albums to her credit in the pre-hispanic/new electronic music area, while Fernandez Ledesma is the de-facto leader...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1996-08-01)

Amon Düül II - Eternal Flashback

By now everyone should know that these classic German space rockers have reformed after about a twelve year hiatus. Last year's Nada Moonshine #, while not quite up to the standards set by... » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1996-08-01)

Angel'in Heavy Syrup - III

Angel’in Heavy Syrup is a four piece band from Japan. The group is composed of Mineko Itakura on bass and vocals, Mine Nakao on guitar and vocals, Fuseo Toda on guitar and chimes, and Tomoko...

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(Posted by Dane Carlson 1996-08-01)

Arachnoïd - Arachnoïd

From the annals of French obscurity, Arachnoïd was a six-piece that recorded only this one album in the late 70s, and then disbanded a few months after its release. Using guitars, bass, drums,... » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1996-08-01)

Aria Palea - Zoicekardi'a

In fact what begins as a pretty bizarre sounding album, with the bassist making weird laughs, sound effects, assumed voices, and whispered lyrics for over two minutes, turns out to be one of the...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1996-08-01)

Ash Ra Tempel - The Private Tapes

Germany — 1971 — Underground. Those three terms evoke images of the Berlin Wall, intensity, angst, freedom. And no band helped define this milieu more than Ash Ra Tempel. With a long...

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(Posted by Tom Hayes 1996-08-01)

Atlantide - Atlantide

Jean-Pierre Massiera had somewhat of a reputation for putting together one-shot bands that record and promptly die. Another one of his 'projects' was Visitors, which we

» Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1996-08-01)

Bacamarte - Depois do Fim

Let me just begin this by saying this album is unquestionably the best Brazilian symphonic progressive rock album. Keep also in mind that it hasn't had much competition until the last few...

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(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1996-08-01)

Beequeen - Sugarbush

Beequeen is the duo of Frans de Waard and Freek Kinklaar and Sugarbush is their third CD release. Frans is also the erstwhile publisher of the excellent experimental/industrial music...

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(Posted by Henry Schneider 1996-08-01)

Between - And the Waters Opened

[Parts of this review specifically relate to the 1995 reissue on Germanofon. -ed.]

The Germany-based sextet is probably most well known as representing the baby steps of...

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(Posted by Mike Ezzo 1996-08-01)

Bi Kyo Ran - Deep Live

The word on the street is that this Japanese combo is the Far East answer to King Crimson, circa Red. Although occasional Frippisms abound in the guitar parts, I think they more closely... » Read more
(Posted by Steve Robey 1996-08-01)

Biglietto per l'Inferno - Il Tempo della Semina

In 1991, Mellow released BPI's lost second album, Il Tempo della Semina, which was recorded in late 1974. This sounds like what was probably the final demo tapes, as this has much...

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(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1996-08-01)

Bill Nelson - Northern Dream

Before his days in the celebrated Be Bop Deluxe, Bill Nelson put out a lone solo album in 1971. This is indeed a far cry from his ambient, soundtrack-like projects he is best known for. Instead, this... » Read more
(Posted by Steve Robey 1996-08-01)

Bruno Heuzé - Eurasie

Heuzé's stunning electro-acoustic music belongs in the broadest swath of progressive music and can be roughly categorized as techno-tribal, an eclectic mix of eastern exoticism, ambient...

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(Posted by Dean Suzuki 1996-08-01)

C.W. Vrtacek - Silent Heaven

Over the years Connecticut-based multi-instrumentalist and composer C.W. Vrtacek has released several solo albums, appeared on numerous compilations, collaborated with Frith, Didkovsky, Biota, and...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1996-08-01)

Catweazle - Ars Moriendi

Just what the world needs, another Swedish prog band! Catweazle are a four-piece of guitar / keyboards / bass / drums with lead vocals by keyboardist Michael Thorne. They seem to be coming from the...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1996-08-01)

Celeste - I Suoni in una Sfera

Celeste's debut album is one of the very best of the Italian progressives, and was highly regarded enough to have been reissued in three countries. Meanwhile, this CD is supposedly a lost...

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(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1996-08-01)

Chris Savourey - End of Millenium

Seems like we just reviewed Savourey's first album in the last issue, and already he's back with a superb and highly energized follow-up. Okay, this may not be exactly what most consider...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1996-08-01)

Christian Vander / Simon Goubert - Welcome

These guys have just about got it right on this one! For the last several years, Christian Vander has been following the spirit of John Coltrane, particularly the Impulse years, Both he and Goubert...

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(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1996-08-01)

Conrad Schnitzler - Blue Glow & Charred Machinery

Herr Schnitzler is probably the most prolific synthesist (we might as well say musician) on the planet. He has been around since the early days of Kluster and Tangerine Dream (he was a member of...

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(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1996-08-01)

Corte dei Miracoli - Dimensione Onirica & Live at Lux

Corte dei Miracoli only released one album on the short lived Grog label in 1976 (reissued on Vinyl Magic) and like Museo Rosenbach, left a series of poorly recorded demos, of which Dimensione...

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(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1996-08-01)

Crystals - Crystals

Featuring guitarists Marcello Todaro of Banco del Mutuo Soccorso and Nanni Civitenga of Raccomondata Ricevuta Ritorno, Crystals were a group of musicians trying to be the next big thing or at least...

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(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1996-08-01)

David Bedford - Great Equatorial

According to the liner notes, Bedford composed these six pieces for the Royal Observatory Telescope room after a modernization upgrade. For those of you who’re unfamiliar with Bedford’s...

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(Posted by Jeff Melton 1996-08-01)

Devil Doll - Dies Irae

If ever there was a band that fit the "love 'em or hate 'em" mold, this is certainly it. Fans tend to be die-hards, and non-fans tend to just ignore this band. So when the fans...

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(Posted by Dan Casey 1996-08-01)

Devil Doll - Dies Irae

Proceed with extreme caution. If you love symphonic progressive rock with a nasty, sinister edge, Devil Doll may be the band you've been waiting for. Fronted by the inimitable Mr. Doctor on...

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(Posted by Steve Robey 1996-08-01)

Devil Doll - Dies Irae

I suppose it was inevitable that before long this band would find a concept such as this too good to pass up. Given the countless readings of this medieval concept in classical music, though,...

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(Posted by Mike Ezzo 1996-08-01)

Dilate - Cyclos

It's interesting that Cleopatra is releasing ambient electronic music like this, as my initial impression of the label was much different. There’s not an awful lot of information in the...

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(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1996-08-01)

Dr Folamour - Dr Folamour

About halfway through my first listen to Dr Folamour's eponymous debut, I had to go and find my copy of baG's

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1996-08-01)

Draft & Bill - Reported Missing

Mellow's "New Progressive Series" (a title they tend to put on the newer releases) is a rather misleading category. I don't want to entertain a discussion of what...

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(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1996-08-01)

Dweller at the Threshold - No Boundary Condition

Dweller at the Threshold is a trio of Paul Ellis, Dave Fulton, and Jeff Vasey, on synthesizers, synthesizers, and synthesizers respectively, out to explore the far reaches of a finite universe with...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1996-08-01)

Eiliff - Eiliff & Girlrls

It's amazing how many great albums are still being reissued from Germany from the early 70s. It seems at times that there is no end to the wealth from that period. Eiliff was another gem of a...

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(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1996-08-01)

El-Hadra - The Mystic Dance

Featuring three respected German new-electronic musicians, Ted de Jong on tabla, Klaus Wiese on zither, and Matthias Grassow on keys, one might hope that the three would use this unusual...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1996-08-01)

Electric Diamond - Electric Diamond

Electric Diamond is a trio of keyboards (piano and analog synths), lyricon, and violin. The music is all instrumental, and ranges from analog synth renditions of 13th and 14th Century dances to...

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(Posted by Rob Walker 1996-08-01)

Electric Orange - Orange Communication

Some may recall that we reviewed the original Electric Orange album back in issue #4. That album,...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1996-08-01)

Eloy - The Tides Return Forever

There is something strangely familiar about the latest studio release from this long time fixture on the German prog scene. First off, the old Eloy logo is back after a fairly long hiatus. Secondly,... » Read more
(Posted by Chris Snow 1996-08-01)

Exclusive Raja - Insubmersible

Insubmersible is Exclusive Raja's second album and is a step onward from their debut, Off the Map, of three years ago. This eclectic band shows musical influences of such...

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(Posted by Henry Schneider 1996-08-01)

Finnforest - Finnforest / Lähtö Matkalle

At the core of this classic Finnish prog-fusion unit were two brothers, Pekka and Jussi Tegelman, on guitars and drums respectively. They recorded three albums in the mid-late 70s; the first two...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1996-08-01)

FM - Retroactive: FM Archives Volume 1

This Canadian trio is probably best known for their three late-70s LPs Black Noise, Headroom, and Surveillance (the first of which saw CD reissue a couple years ago)...

» Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1996-08-01)

Folli di Dio - Folli di Dio

It sounds like Folli di Dio just missed being on Mellow's Fruit Salad label, as it fits into that most amorphous of genres – neo-psychedelic. Neo-psych is as ambiguous as most genre names...

» Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1996-08-01)

Fonya - Earth Shaper

Fonya is Chris Fournier, a multi-instrumentalist adept at making instrumental symphonic progressive rock in a variety of moods. The album is primarily keyboard-based, using modern keyboard sounds...

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(Posted by Steve Robey 1996-08-01)

Fonya - Earth Shaper

Earth Shaper is a travel into a fantasy land. A rather colorful travel where most of the times the instruments are equal in conveying the soundscapes to these imaginary places. It could be...

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(Posted by Alain Lachapelle 1996-08-01)

Fonya - Earth Shaper

Fonya continues to be the solo vehicle for multi-instrumentalist Chris Fournier. His latest release is one that builds well on previous efforts, and is simultaneously familiar and accessible, not...

» Read more
(Posted by Dan Casey 1996-08-01)

Francesco Buccheri - Journey / Second Journey

Italian synthesists are a rare breed and only a few of them did anything of note (Cacciapaglia, Baffo Banfi, and very few others). Buccheri was a very obscure musician with a pronounced Teutonic...

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(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1996-08-01)

Françoise Toullec - Histoire d'Onk

Pianist Françoise Toullec leads her quintet through some mellow and mysterious avant-garde jazz on this intriguing album. Accompanied by acoustic bass, drums, saxophone, and voice, she...

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(Posted by Rob Walker 1996-08-01)

Garden Wall - The Seduction of Madness

Now here's a band who has made some serious progress. From listening to Principium or Path of Dreams, there's no way of telling that they would have made this much of a step up. ... » Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1996-08-01)

Garden Wall - The Seduction of Madness

When I first heard the name "Garden Wall," I thought, "This band must be another one of those Genesis influenced bands." Well, after listening to the CD, I wonder if they've ever even heard of... » Read more
(Posted by Mike Grimes 1996-08-01)

Garden Wall - The Seduction of Madness

One might ask how Garden Wall could possibly top their previous album, Path of Dreams from 1994. This writer was initially skeptical about that possibility, but after a few listens to this... » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1996-08-01)

Garden Wall - The Seduction of Madness

I'm not certain if this band is named from the lyric of Genesis' "I Know What I Like," but that could begin to explain the myriad of styles the band employs. Garden Wall has a metalish rhythm section... » Read more
(Posted by Jeff Melton 1996-08-01)

Genfuoco - Dentro l'Invisible

Genfuoco were one of the last "progressive" rock groups in the late 70s with Zauber and Locanda delle Fate. Genfuoco's music, very much like Zauber, was airy and serene with some very...

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(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1996-08-01)

Germinale - Germinale

One of the better of the new Italian progressive bands, their eponymous debut just escaped the second part of our "New Italian Progressive Rock Scene" overview back in issue #4. So with...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1996-08-01)

Gilgamesh - Another Fine Tune You Got Me Into

Gilgamesh's second album is a work of rediscovery for the original two lead voices of the band, Phil Lee (guitars) and Alan Gowen (keyboards). Gowen had just returned from a tour of the U.S....

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(Posted by Jeff Melton 1996-08-01)

Glass Hammer - Perelandra

If you're looking for a good keyboard album, then look no further. Glass Hammer has lots to offer in that department. There are some great keyboard parts on Perelandra and the...

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(Posted by Mike Grimes 1996-08-01)

Glass Hammer - Perelandra

My first impressions of the album were that the music is a trite retread of the same standard progressive ideas, just performed by a different set of enthusiastic fans using weakly written...

» Read more
(Posted by Jeff Melton 1996-08-01)

Glass Hammer - Perelandra

It's terribly sad to me that many people's impression of "progressive rock" goes no farther than Yes, Genesis, or their countless soundalikes. I don't want to be too hard on...

» Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1996-08-01)

Gong - Pre-Modernist Wireless: The Peel Sessions

Blah blah Gong blah Daevid Allen blah space rock blah seminal spiritual gnomepixiebanana. Ahem. OK, now the introductions are over, we now have the latest live Gong installment, three different...

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(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1996-08-01)

Gothic Lunch - Gothic Lunch

Marco Cimino of Errata Corrige mixed this and it says on the back that he wrote the songs, however on the inside it says he didn't write anything and only played piano on one track. In reality,...

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(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1996-08-01)

Grey Lady Down - Forces

This is the second album for this British five-piece with a dedicated lead vocalist, whose style is firmly in the neo-progressive camp of bands like IQ and others who drive their sound with brite...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1996-08-01)

Günter Schickert - Somnambul

This is one of Musique Intemporelle's Rainbow series, CDs released with a track of CD ROM on each one. I haven't seen the CD ROM portion of this so I can't comment, but the rest of the...

» Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1996-08-01)

Guru Guru - Live

Guru Guru was one of the pioneering German psych rock groups, but by 1977 they had mellowed out with age leaving behind the Neumeier / Trepte / Genrich line up that procured classics such as...

» Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1996-08-01)

Gwendal - Les Plus Belles Chansons de Gwendal

Gwendal are an amazing group and one of my favorites of the severely underrated French / Breton folk-rock scene. Unfortunately the distribution of any of their albums is uncommonly poor and it...

» Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1996-08-01)

Hampton Grease Band - Music to Eat

The "Hampton," of course, refers to the venerable Bruce Hampton, best known for his 90s rock / jazz / funk outfit, the Aquarium Rescue Unit. But back in the early 70s, Hampton was the...

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(Posted by Steve Robey 1996-08-01)

Heretic - Past in Future

This strictly limited edition private release by Heretic (a.k.a. Hiro Kawahara) represents the work of the last few years with demo versions of two thirty-five minute tracks in multiple parts,...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1996-08-01)

Horslips - Collection

Finally a representative collection of the work of this excellent Irish folk-rock band that doesn't focus exclusively on their hits. This 2CD collection - both discs full length, traces the band's...

» Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1996-08-01)

Il Balletto di Bronzo - Ys (Original & English)

Ys is certainly one of the more controversial progressive rock albums. Many people will tell you not only that it is a classic, but it's often quoted as being the very best of...

» Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1996-08-01)

Il Giro Strano - La Divina Commedia

Around a core six-piece of organ, guitar, bass, drums, sax+flute, and powerful lead vocalist Mirko Ostinet, Il Giro Strano were ex-members of equally obscure bands Tramps and Voodoo. They recorded...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1996-08-01)

Il Sistema - Il Viaggio senza Andata

Ciro Perrino has been Mauro Moroni's right hand man at Mellow Records, so it's not surprising that many of the lost relics released by that label include him and other members of the short...

» Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1996-08-01)

Iona - Journey into the Morn

The first 15 minutes of this album (except the two-minute opener) give the listener no idea of what is to come. If you judge an album based on a cursory listen of the first few songs , this one...

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(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1996-08-01)

Iona - Journey into the Morn

Released quietly at the end of last year, this seems to be the album that will earn Iona the recognition and following they have long deserved. This is clearly their strongest effort yet, touching...

» Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1996-08-01)

Iona - Journey into the Morn

While this is for the most part an unabashedly pop-styled album, it also happens to be a solid, captivating, and thoroughly enjoyable listen. Similar to Clannad at times, Iona's music is a lush...

» Read more
(Posted by Rob Walker 1996-08-01)

Ivanhoe - Symbols of Time

Ivanhoe represent the harder side of neo-prog. That is to say, they incorporate keyboards, a big guitar sound, and dramatic lyrics. On first listen to this album, I whooped with delight as...

» Read more
(Posted by Steve Robey 1996-08-01)

J.A. Caesar - Kokkyou Junreika & Shintokomaru

J.A. Caesar — this is obviously not his real name — has been an enigmatic figure in Japanese rock and avant-garde music dating back to the early 70s. His music is impossible to...

» Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1996-08-01)

Jacula - Anno Demoni

Jacula's debut (to be reviewed in a later issue) was one of the rarest (if not the rarest) of the Italian progressive rock albums, and certainly one of the most sinister – or...

» Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1996-08-01)

Jean-Paul Prat - Masal

A most welcome reissue. Drummer and bandleader Prat had worked with his band Masal from the early 70s, yet their first and only release was this two-sided 42 minute instrumental opus from nearly a...

» Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1996-08-01)

Jumbo - Jumbo, DNA, 1983 & Live

The list above is the entire discography of Jumbo except for two rare singles, one from 1970 and one from 1975, and Vietato Ai Minori Di 18 Anni? which is

» Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1996-08-01)

Kenso - Kenso I

It was just last issue in our Belle Antique label overview that this writer said something to the effect that since all the best tracks from Kenso's first eponymous LP had been included as bonus... » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1996-08-01)

King Crimson - B'Boom - Live in Argentina

It's always a challenge to review an album that I'm sure everyone has, but here goes... Recorded just prior to their extensive worldwide tour, these recordings accurately reflect the 1995 version of... » Read more
(Posted by Mike Grimes 1996-08-01)

Kit Watkins - Beauty Drifting

Belying its apparent simplicity, this latest album from Kit — basically a piano album with some supporting synth work, recalls the ethereal spirit and moodiness of his classic Azure. The... » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1996-08-01)

Kit Watkins - Beauty Drifting

The title of this work is as apt a description as you'll come by for this music. Using mostly grand piano, electronic treatments, a mite of sampling, and a nice sense of space, Kit has fashioned an... » Read more
(Posted by Mike Ezzo 1996-08-01)

Kit Watkins - Beauty Drifting

This one was a real surprise. Watkins has always had a broad body of work in the electronic realm, but this album is something very different from his last few efforts, ambient or rhythmic.... » Read more
(Posted by Dan Casey 1996-08-01)

Kit Watkins - Labyrinth & Frames of Mind

Finally Watkins' first two post-Happy the Man/Camel solo albums have received the proper digital treatment. These are two very formative albums that offer a logical bridge between the music of the...

» Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1996-08-01)

Kryptästhesie - Inner Whirl

This is the first regular album on the Delerium label for this Italian band (though several private cassettes, two singles, and a double-LP on other labels date back to the mid 80s), a five piece...

» Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1996-08-01)

Lands End - Terra Serranum

After a less-than-spectacular live performance before Progfest '95, I wasn't expecting much from this, the second CD by this Southern California based quartet. Overall, their sound now seems to occupy... » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1996-08-01)

Laser - Vita sul Pianeta

This one surprised me a bit – I guess I was expecting it to be much worse. I suppose it's a bit dated for 1973, with definite psych / beat influences and shorter songs. In many ways,...

» Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1996-08-01)

Latte e Miele - English Papillon, Live & Vampyrs

These albums make up the present archives of previously unreleased Latte e Miele music. Latte e Miele are best described as an Italian ELP and have a very big sound for a trio. They released three...

» Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1996-08-01)

Le Stelle di Mario Schifano - Dedicato A

Kckck wk zz r ckck! It sounds like the workers at the CD mastering plant took time out to play frisbee with the source LP; you can not only tell this CD was mastered from LP but at times...

» Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1996-08-01)

Liberation thru' Hearing - Liberation thru' Hearing

How to describe this? Let's first consider the music: although it doesn't say exactly who plays on the album, one may hear synths, percussion, flutes, sax, drums, bass, guitars, plus some...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1996-08-01)

Lightwave - Mundus Subterraneus

There’s no question that this electronic ensemble is one of the best exponents of original music around today. This is their third CD after several superb cassettes and is the first release...

» Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1996-08-01)

Lisa Gerrard - The Mirror Pool

Lisa Gerrard is the prime mover behind 4AD trailblazers Dead Can Dance. Her sometimes spooky, sometimes playful vocals have earned her a modest following in the art-rock crowd, often evoking the...

» Read more
(Posted by Steve Robey 1996-08-01)

Magma - Inédits

The last of the original Magma albums to be reissued, Inédits comes without much fanfare — it was after all, something of a bootleg in its day, produced by some slippery...

» Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1996-08-01)

Manœuvres d'Automne - Manœuvres d'Automne (AKA Un Peu d'Air!)

From Switzerland, Manœuvres d'Automne is essentially the project band of Gilles Rieder (Débile Menthol, L'Ensemble Rayé), with help from Laurent Viennet and Serge...

» Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1996-08-01)

Marillion - Made Again

Made Again marks the first official release live album documenting the Hogarth era, and contains tracks from all four studio albums represented by the current lineup. The 2CD set is made up... » Read more
(Posted by Mike Grimes 1996-08-01)

Mastermind - Volume One

Ten years after it was recorded and released as a cassette, and about six years after its original CD incarnation on ZNR records, Mastermind's debut is finally available once again. It...

» Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1996-08-01)

Mayfair - Die Flucht (AKA Escape)

If you're craving for more modern rock, find Mayfair's Escape. The music fits snugly in the 80s college radio camp with bands like R.E.M., U2, and the like – except not...

» Read more
(Posted by Mike Grimes 1996-08-01)

Medina Azahara - Paseando por la Mexquita, La Esquina del Viento & Andalucía

Medina Azahara are one of the longest running Spanish symphonic rock bands. If I'm not mistaken, they may still be together. While most of their contemporaries disappeared due to the Spanish...

» Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1996-08-01)

Mellow Candle - The Virgin Prophet

As the CD liner notes state, Mellow Candle's Swaddling Songs is the holy grail of folk rock. There really is no other album that even compares in this specific genre (Fairport...

» Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1996-08-01)

Michael Stearns - The Lost World

Michael Stearns is in his own right a pioneer in electronic music and sometimes overlooked. Since his first album, Ancient Leaves in 1977 he has released many albums, several such as...

» Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1996-08-01)

Murple - Io Sono Murple

Murple is one of the countless Italian one-shots who released one rare album and disappeared off of the face of the earth. Their style was typical of the era – a classical/symphonic rock in...

» Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1996-08-01)

Museo Rosenbach - Rare, Unreleased & Live '72

Museo Rosenbach's Zarathustra is one of the greatest symphonic/classical rock works of all time and has yet to be surpassed in the genre. These two titles are posthumous releases of...

» Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1996-08-01)

Musica Urbana - Iberia

Spanish ensemble Music Urbana are quite an interesting group of musicians, creating a very original music. Their first album, recently reissued showed a band blending a plethora of styles –...

» Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1996-08-01)

Napoli Centrale - Napoli Centrale

In the vein of bands like Perigeo, Agora, Duello Madre, and Dedalus; Napoli Centrale are an Italian jazz rock outfit playing music quite different from their symphonic contemporaries. They're a...

» Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1996-08-01)

Nirgal Vallis - Y Murio la Tarde

This Mexican quintet dates to the early 80s, to Mexico City's blossoming underground progressive scene. In 1985, they recorded one side of an album, In Principio / Y Murio la Tarde,...

» Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1996-08-01)

No Name - The Secret Garden

Firmly rooted in the "neo-prog" tradition, No Name delivers an album that should have some appeal to fans of similar bands like Marillion, Saga, and IQ. In fact, "Septagone,"...

» Read more
(Posted by Mike Grimes 1996-08-01)

Non Credo - Happy Wretched Family

Though this is only Non Credo's second outing, one listen should erase any question about why it's been so long since their debut, Reluctant Hosts. The Los Angeles duo consists of...

» Read more
(Posted by Mike Ezzo 1996-08-01)

Nuova Idea - Mr. E. Jones & Clowns

Nuova Idea are probably best known for being part of Italy's largest family tree, including the New Trolls and Osanna. Nuova Idea's Ricky Belloni (on Clowns) joined the New Trolls...

» Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1996-08-01)

Oats - Sons of the Sonic Solution

Sons of the Sonic Solution is 70 minutes of off-the-wall bizarre and eclectic alternative-styled music. There is a definite element of the low- budget grungy alternative ethos; wailing...

» Read more
(Posted by Rob Walker 1996-08-01)

Opus Avantra - Lyrics

Opus Avantra (see overview in issue #7) were quite a unique combo. Led by Alfredo Tisocco and vocalist Donella del Monaco, Opus Avantra have been around since the mid 70s when they released two...

» Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1996-08-01)

Opus Avantra - Lyrics

Only their fourth release in 22 years, yet it is surprising to see how this band has stuck to their guns, combining classical, folk, and avant-garde elements, and not given into the temptation to...

» Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1996-08-01)

Opus Avantra - Lyrics

The latest from Opus Avantra finds pianist Alfredo Tisocco conducting his ensemble of strings and woodwinds through a variety of modern and avant-garde tinged compositions. Influences range from...

» Read more
(Posted by Rob Walker 1996-08-01)

Osiris - Myths & Legends

Bahrain is a small group of islands in the Persian Gulf. Of all the places one wouldn't expect as a source of progressive music, it has got to be near the top of the list. But think about it,...

» Read more
(Posted by Mike Ohman 1996-08-01)

Paradiso a Basso Prezzo - Paradiso a Basso Prezzo

This is a CD I really expected to like, considering this is an Italian progressive from 1973 live and unreleased. That’s not to say it's bad. It certainly has a lot of typical elements to...

» Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1996-08-01)

Patrick Broguière - Icones

Broguière's debut album Brocéliande was one of Musea's brightest promises last year, the multi-instrumentalist (guitars, keyboards, violin, and flute) serving up a...

» Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1996-08-01)

Pendragon - The Masquerade Overture

Unlike Marillion, Pendragon have had to slog it out arduously throughout their career in order to achieve their level of success. The latest offering is an ambitious project to say the least. And...

» Read more
(Posted by Mike Ezzo 1996-08-01)

Pendragon - The Masquerade Overture

Pendragon's new release, The Masquerade Overture, further proves that this band is one of the better proponents of neo-progressive rock. Not because of any great originality, but...

» Read more
(Posted by Steve Robey 1996-08-01)

Pendragon - The Masquerade Overture

For 15 years Pendragon has been a fixture on the English progressive scene. They've got solid support from a devoted European fan base, consistent albums, and a refined sound. They've got...

» Read more
(Posted by Jeff Melton 1996-08-01)

Peter Frohmader - Homunculus 1-4 / Ritual

Multimood, already surprising us with the well packaged Stringed Works, has done it again with this three albums on 2CD package. Comprised of three of Frohmader's best albums, this is...

» Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1996-08-01)

Peter Hammill - X My Heart

Here's another work in the "difficult artiste" series from prolific songwriter Peter Hammill. How many releases does this make for him? Over 20, not including compilations? He has...

» Read more
(Posted by Jeff Melton 1996-08-01)

Phideaux - Friction

Phideaux (pronounced like "Fido") is New York singer/composer/multi-instrumentalist Phideaux Xavier. His debut release, Friction, is a dense and quite impressive piece of work. Featuring... » Read more
(Posted by Mike Ohman 1996-08-01)

Philharmonie - Rage

Perhaps a bit of history is in order. Philharmonie began in the late 80s as strictly a guitar trio, led by former Shylock guitarist Frederic L'Epée. Their first album, Beau...

» Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1996-08-01)

Pierre Bastien - Eggs Air Sister Steel

An interesting album indeed. Each one of the thirteen instrumental vignettes presented here has its own unique character, all within a more-or-less experimental neo-classical context, with some...

» Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1996-08-01)

Pierre Vervloesen - Home Made

Vervloesem is a Belgian guitarist whose music is unique and attention grabbing. You have probably never heard anything quite like it, but it fits somewhere in the realm of progressive, fusion,...

» Read more
(Posted by Dean Suzuki 1996-08-01)

Pip Pyle's Equip' Out - Up!

Recorded in fall 1991, the second release from Pip Pyle’s pet project has only recently seen the light of day on the US import market. On the occasion of Pip’s recent trip to the US and...

» Read more
(Posted by Jeff Melton 1996-08-01)

Porcupine Tree - Waiting

This is Porcupine Tree's latest three-song CD EP, appropriately titled I suppose, while we are waiting for the release of their next full length CD Signify this coming fall. The music...

» Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1996-08-01)

Prklz - Deuce

A unique blend of many different influences, Prklz mixes their music up with lots of drastically different styles, often within the context of one song. Perhaps due primarily to their guitar / bass...

» Read more
(Posted by Mike Grimes 1996-08-01)

Providence - There Once Was a Night of "Choko-muro" the Paradise

Some may recall the first, very highly regarded Providence CD And I'll Recite an Old Myth... from around 1990. At that point they had already released a couple cassettes, two videos, and...

» Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1996-08-01)

Psychomusak - The Extasie

You want psychedelic? The music here, spread out across five long purely instrumental tracks, each ranging from ten to twenty minutes, evokes a hallucinatory half dreamlike state by offering...

» Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1996-08-01)

Raison de Plus - Au Bout du Couloir

Although Raison De Plus has been active since the mid-80s – their first recorded work being a single contribution to the Musea compilation LP Enchantement, followed by a single...

» Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1996-08-01)

Relayer - A Grander Vision

Walking a fine line between progressive and straight ahead rock, Relayer flirts with both these styles but never strays too far toward the progressive side of the spectrum. Vocalist John Sahagian...

» Read more
(Posted by Mike Grimes 1996-08-01)

Revelation - Addicted

Happily, this neo-progressive outfit from London avoids copying the overworked Marillion sound so many neo-prog bands favor these days. Instead, they update their sound considerably, with a big...

» Read more
(Posted by Steve Robey 1996-08-01)

Ring of Myth - Unbound

First impressions are generally correct. This could be a likable excursion down a well trod path, however, I found it pretty much impossible to listen to this CD all the way through. This LA band is a... » Read more
(Posted by Dane Carlson 1996-08-01)

Robert Rich / B.Lustmord - Stalker

This evidently is music for or from a soundtrack to a movie. I'm of the opinion that most music in this vein would do well as soundtrack music so it doesn’t really figure into my...

» Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1996-08-01)

Rocket Scientists - Earthbound & Brutal Architecture

I wouldn't call the first CD by the Rocket Scientists progressive. It is a collection of songs, predominantly vocal. There is a lot of talent here. RS is Eric Nordlander on keyboards and...

» Read more
(Posted by Dane Carlson 1996-08-01)

Sagittarian - Sagittarian

Sagittarian were a Japanese primarily-instrumental six-piece that put out one obscure album in the early 80s (in a limited edition of 100). The dominant sound is a Camel-influenced progressive...

» Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1996-08-01)

Saro Cosentino / Mino di Martino - TV Dinner

Mino di Martino was one half of Albergo Intergallatico Spaziale (reviewed

» Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1996-08-01)

Sithonia - Confine

This fourth album by Sithonia, a modern Italian band, brings an up-front approach to their style, underlined by lots of chordal guitar work supported by keyboard pads, contrasting a bit from their...

» Read more
(Posted by Alain Lachapelle 1996-08-01)

Sithonia - Confine

Sithonia have actually been around quite a while. This I believe is their fourth album since they started roughly around the same time Nuova Era did. Sithonia are moving more and more into that...

» Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1996-08-01)

Sithonia - Confine

Sithonia certainly stand apart from their neo-prog contemporaries. Their influence draws mainly not on Genesis, but on classic 70s bands from their native Italy like Metamorfosi and Biglietto per...

» Read more
(Posted by Mike Ohman 1996-08-01)

Soft Heap - Soft Heap

Another splinter project of the Soft Machine / National Health ilk, Soft Heap was described as the "living evolution of the Softs" going forward into the present day (even though Gowen...

» Read more
(Posted by Jeff Melton 1996-08-01)

Soft Machine - Live in Paris May 2nd, 1972 (aka Live in France)

[This was written about the original One Way edition. - ed.]

Wow! Another newly found live recording which was previously available only in bootleg format? Unfortunately, the disc...

» Read more
(Posted by Jeff Melton 1996-08-01)

Spektakel - Spektakel

Unless one has been hiding in the forest for a year, it should be fairly well known that The Laser's Edge was planning on releasing this, the tapes of an early band involving Ede Schicke and...

» Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1996-08-01)

Spirosfera - Umanamnesi

Does Alberto Piras have a twin brother? Spirosfera is an Italian quartet of guitar, bass / keys, drums, and dedicated lead vocalist Nicola Pavan, with regular guests on Hammond organ and saxes....

» Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1996-08-01)

St Tropez & La Compagnia Digitale - Icarus & La Compagnia Digitale

Both of these groups contain percussionist/synthesist Ciro Perrino in their ranks. These groups were both post-Celeste and showed a vast change in style from that group. You may have heard Ozric...

» Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1996-08-01)

Standarte - Standarte

This new Italian band has a sound that hails unmistakably from the early 70s heavy progressive scene. Though no guitar is credited in the notes, this is classic guitar and keyboard driven, mostly...

» Read more
(Posted by Rob Walker 1996-08-01)

Steve Howe - Homebrew

This new CD is a collection of guitar pieces and song writing ventures by the noted Yes guitarist which covers a span of over twenty years work from several solo and band projects. Almost completely... » Read more
(Posted by Jeff Melton 1996-08-01)

Steve Roach - The Magnificent Void

It seems Mr. Roach can do no wrong, always working with quality musicians always following different trails into uncharted areas and always sticking to psychosomatic energy in music. Lately,...

» Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1996-08-01)

Steve Roach / Michael Stearns / Ron Sunsinger - Kiva

Stearns and Roach have collaborated before on 1989's Desert Solitaire as have Stearns and Sunsinger more recently on Singing Stones. For all three this is the first project...

» Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1996-08-01)

Tel Basta - Lickerish

I really like this CD. Musically it's very simple. I am reminded of early Cure and Joy Division music. Progressive? Well, not as I call progressive. The promo statement for the band read...

» Read more
(Posted by Dane Carlson 1996-08-01)

Tempest - Turn of the Wheel

Tempest is led by Lief Sorbye (formerly of folk group Golden Bough). This is their first album for the Magna Carta label and their fourth disc overall. Jigs and reels and storytelling: that's...

» Read more
(Posted by Jeff Melton 1996-08-01)

Tempest - Turn of the Wheel

Tempest (not to be confused with the ex-Colosseum group) wasn't a group I would have expected to review in Exposé as I considered them a straighter folk-rock band from the...

» Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1996-08-01)

Tempest - Turn of the Wheel

No, this is not Allan Holdsworth's hard rock band reunited. This is a new band mating Celtic folk and rock, and doing quite a job of it I might add. Comparisons to Jethro Tull (especially...

» Read more
(Posted by Mike Ohman 1996-08-01)

Ten Seconds - Ten Seconds

Ten Seconds is the duo of Bill Forth (guitars, vocals) and Jeff Fayman (keyboards), augmented by numerous guests on bass, drums, additional keys, and guitar soundscapes (gee, I wonder who that...

» Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1996-08-01)

The Flower Kings - Back in the World of Adventures

Don't let the name fool you. The Flower Kings can jam! Take some soulful groove drumming, occasional Frippertronic style guitar, medieval flute-led romps in 7, and a plethora of keyboard and...

» Read more
(Posted by Mike Grimes 1996-08-01)

The Mistakes - The Mistakes

A collaboration between four diverse and experienced musicians, The Mistakes turns in as fun and challenging a listen as its lineup promises it to be. Virtuoso guitarists Mike Keneally and...

» Read more
(Posted by Rob Walker 1996-08-01)

The Spacious Mind - Sailing the Seagoat

This third album from The Spacious Mind delivers more of their patented spacy psychedelia. Those familiar with their earlier releases know exactly what to expect; Ebowed guitar leads over a...

» Read more
(Posted by Rob Walker 1996-08-01)

The Spacious Mind - Sailing the Seagoat

Here's an interesting concept. Take simple folk ideas, add a little psychedelic electronics and synth, add a few flute and bongo lines and some very radio-friendly vocals and brew up some long,...

» Read more
(Posted by Dan Casey 1996-08-01)

The Third and the Mortal - Nightswan & Painting on Glass

Not long ago, you may recall, this Norwegian band gave us their debut releases: the mini-CD Sorrow and its full-length companion Tears Laid In Earth. These were promising but...

» Read more
(Posted by Mike Ohman 1996-08-01)

The Third and the Mortal - Nightswan & Painting on Glass

Scandinavian symphonic rock groups are discernibly gaining their own sound now. Following in the footsteps of groups like Anekdoten, Landberk, and especially White Willow (who could be their...

» Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1996-08-01)

The Third and the Mortal - Nightswan & Painting on Glass

Somewhere between Hawkwind at half speed and Ozric Tentacles at quarter impulse lies The 3rd and ghe Mortal – floating out into space at a pace that'll make you swear you're moving in...

» Read more
(Posted by Mike Grimes 1996-08-01)

Tipographica - God Says I Can't Dance

By now everyone should know who these guys are and have some kind of idea what they sound like, even if you've never actually heard anything by them (unless you've been living in a cave, or...

» Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1996-08-01)

Tipographica - God Says I Can't Dance

As well covered in Exposé, Tipographica are one of the best new music ensembles around, a band better suited to those with largely experimental tastes. After a superb debut and equally... » Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1996-08-01)

Tipographica - God Says I Can't Dance

The definition of progressive rock is growing wider each year. There is a trend that consists of injecting healthy doses of fusion, what with a jazz rock aura in the neighborhood. All over the... » Read more
(Posted by Alain Lachapelle 1996-08-01)

Treatment - Cipher Caput

Apparently this was first available as a vinyl item, and then recently issued as a CD. Treatment is a British five-piece lineup of psychedelic explorers that operate somewhere along the Hawkwind /...

» Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1996-08-01)

Tristan Park - A Place Inside

Simple song structures, basic harmonic progressions, and weak lyrical content place this release squarely in the dangerously-close-to-cheesy neo-prog category. The music can't seem to decide if...

» Read more
(Posted by Rob Walker 1996-08-01)

Tyburn Tall - Tyburn Tall

From Speyer, Germany, Tyburn Tall were together from 1969 to 1975. During that time they became a well-respected live band, acting as opening act for name European groups such as Golden Earring,...

» Read more
(Posted by Mike Ohman 1996-08-01)

Už Jsme Doma - Pohádky Ze Zapotrebí

If one is wondering how to pronounce the title of the fourth album by this equally unpronounceable Czech sextet, don't feel too bad — the writer is in essentially the same boat. Just call it UJD #4.... » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1996-08-01)

Už Jsme Doma - Pohádky Ze Zapotrebí

It's a pretty rare event when I can honestly compare a CD reviewed in this magazine to both Devo and Madness, so I'm going to make the most of it here. The Devo comparisons are actually quite... » Read more
(Posted by Mike Grimes 1996-08-01)

Už Jsme Doma - Pohádky Ze Zapotrebí

There is a distinct Eastern European feeling to this. Be it in the stern voices over syncopated binary rhythms where saxophones are rarely making notes lasting longer than a third of a second. Be it... » Read more
(Posted by Alain Lachapelle 1996-08-01)

What's new

These are the most recent changes made to artists, releases, and articles.

Release: Steve Roach - Live at Soundquest Fest 2021
Updated 2021-09-26 01:25:31
Release: Triptides - So Many Days
Updated 2021-09-24 12:51:43
Release: PAKT - Live in Kennett Square, PA
Updated 2021-09-24 00:39:55
Release: Monsieur Pompier's Travelling Freakshow - Teatime Terrors
Updated 2021-09-23 20:29:03
Artist: Monsieur Pompier's Travelling Freakshow
Updated 2021-09-23 20:27:53
Release: Caravan - It's None of Your Business
Updated 2021-09-23 18:58:37
Release: Hidden People - Tambour Cloche
Updated 2021-09-23 15:20:50
Release: Hidden People - Comment S'Étaient-ils Rencontrés?
Updated 2021-09-23 15:18:51
Artist: Hidden People
Updated 2021-09-23 15:14:18
Release: Burnt Belief - Mutual Isolation
Updated 2021-09-23 13:21:03
Release: Shakespeare & the Blues - e.g., Rhapsodic
Updated 2021-09-23 00:10:51
Artist: Shakespeare and the Blues
Updated 2021-09-23 00:07:20
Release: Резина (Rezina) - Секрет (Sekret)
Updated 2021-09-22 18:50:01
Release: Резина (Rezina) - 1619
Updated 2021-09-22 18:48:53
Artist: Резина (Rezina)
Updated 2021-09-22 18:46:30
Release: L. Shankar - Christmas from India
Updated 2021-09-22 18:41:13
Release: Gong - Live at the Gong Family Unconventional Gathering
Updated 2021-09-21 20:08:01
Release: Mujician - 10 10 10
Updated 2021-09-21 19:06:57
Release: Mark Murdock - Visitors from Another Planet
Updated 2021-09-21 18:57:37
Release: Mark Murdock - The Phoenix Has Risen
Updated 2021-09-21 18:55:56

Exposé Online

Available online from Issue 10