Exposé Online » Issue 11

Date : February 1997
Pages : 72
Summary : Prog Day 1996, Eclectic Electric Event, Stockholm Progressive Rock Festival 96, Magma, Dead Can Dance, Michael Ray & The Cosmic Krewe, moe., Yolk, Medeski Martin & Wood, Phish, Shockra, Happy The Man megafeature, Boud Deun, Hiro Kawahara (Heretic), Shub Niggurath, Progressive Rock Worldwide Label, Spotted Peccary update
Items found : 230

Exposé Staff Picks —
The Best of 1996

We don't always do end of year "best of" lists, but when we do, you can bet they'll be diverse. Here's a look back at how our writers felt about the year 1996.  » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen, Jeff Melton, Mike Ezzo, Dan Casey, Mike Grimes, Steve Robey, Mike McLatchey, Mac Beaulieu, Alain Lachapelle 1997-02-01)

Keeping the Man Happy —
The Happy the Man Interviews

Composers of American classical music over the last century have often been criticized for their lack of originality, for borrowing too heavily from their European counterparts. People often point to Aaron Copeland as the exception to the rule. Similarly, in the 70s, American progressive rock bands were often just knock-offs of the European bands. Happy the Man are to American progressive what Copeland was to classical — a fantastic exception to the rule.  » Read more
(Posted by Dan Casey 1997-02-01)

Music for Dark Gods —
A Profile of Shub-Niggurath

The enigmatic name is, or course, from Lovecraft. The phonetically bizarre world of Lovecraft's mythos has attracted many, many bands to use names of entities and places from its stories and legends. Shub-Niggurath, The Black Goat of the Woods with a Thousand Young, is a dark and terrible alien fertility goddess in the mythos, sometimes depicted as a demonic goat, sometimes as an enormous amorphous mass spawning her "Dark Young" — huge tentacled tree-like hulks with shaggy goats legs and hooves — in an endless orgy of reproduction. The extremity and sinister nature of such imagery suits the music of this band perfectly. If ever there were music for the mythos, this is surely the archetype.  » Read more
(Posted by Phil Kime 1997-02-01)

Osiris Is Dead, Long Live Heretic —
The Heretic Interview 1997

For over a decade and a half, Hiro Kawahara has been one of Japan's leading electronic-based musicians. Picking up his first guitar at the age of 13, he later taught himself keyboards. "I'm not musically trained" adds Hiro, "so I cannot make classical music." He didn't let that slow him down, as he continued to teach himself electronic music, composition, and MIDI studio techniques.  » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Riding a Runaway Freight Train —
The Boud Deun Interview

If you haven’t heard of Boud Deun by now, then you owe it to you yourself to pick up one of their two CDs (their latest release on Cuneiform should be available by the time you read this), or better yet, catch one of their spirited live shows. Their smokin’ hot performance at Progscape ‘96 left everyone in attendance speechless and stunned. Exposé caught up with the band immediately after their set, just before they headed back to Warrenton, Virginia, which is the town they call home.  » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

3RDegree - Human Interest Story

A four-piece from New York City, 3RDegree specializes in well-crafted, hook-infected, song-oriented rock with strong melodic drive and progressive overtones. In fact they've been around for...

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

7% Solution - All About Satellites and Spaceships

Now here's a novel idea: With each CD you sell, include an extra copy of the disc for the buyer to pass along, thus spreading the word about the band. That's precisely what this four-piece...

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

A Bôlha - Um Passo a Frente

A Bôlha (The Bubble) were one of Brazil's first progressive bands, back in a time when progressive meant something more fundamental than the keyboard drenched symphonics and complicated...

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Adrian Belew - Op Zop Too Wah

Op Zop Too Wah is an overview of a little bit of everything Belew's been up to from his work in King Crimson to The Bears as well as his own introspective and energy laden singer /...

 » Read more
(Posted by Jeff Melton 1997-02-01)

Agnus - Pinturas y Espresiones

In their gold-panning expeditions for largely undiscovered old South American bands, Progressive Rock Worldwide recently unearthed this little nugget. Agnus hail from Argentina, consisting of a...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike Ohman 1997-02-01)

Alas - Alas

No big surprises here, just another keyboards / bass / drums (plus occasional guitar) trio working in a well-worn style. What Alas brings to the style that is new is a jazzy bent. I'm reminded...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike Ohman 1997-02-01)

Aleph - Surface Tension

What a special album this is, a forgotten rarity that truly is something of a lost classic. Aleph, a sextet based in Sydney, were one of the few Australian bands (along with Sebastian Hardie,...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike Ohman 1997-02-01)

Algaravia - Breve e Interminável

The title of the first track, "Crimsoniana," ought to give you an idea as to this new band's sound, but it doesn't tell the whole story. Algaravia's line-up consists of two...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike Ohman 1997-02-01)

Altura - Mercy

Altura is a five-piece gigging band from Charlotte, North Carolina. Their first album is a definite progressive metal project with intricate time changes that support a core emphasis of aggressive,...

 » Read more
(Posted by Jeff Melton 1997-02-01)

Amber Route - Snail Headed Victrolas

Amber Route was an electronic / rock duo from southern California featuring Walter Holland on guitars and synthesizers, and Richard Watson on woodwinds, piano, and synthesizers; both share vocal...

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Andrew Booker - Ahead

Booker does it all himself on this new release of well-rounded progressive rock. Apart from a guest guitarist on the last track, Booker is the only musician credited; he ably handles guitar,...

 » Read more
(Posted by Steve Robey 1997-02-01)

Änglagård - Buried Alive

Anyone who attended ProgFest '94 in LA will find this last farewell hauntingly familiar. Buried Alive contains Änglagård's last live performance in its entirety, from...

 » Read more
(Posted by Dan Casey 1997-02-01)

Anima - Singularities

While eight musicians are credited here, the music features guitars, bass, drums, and keyboards, and some vocals / harmonies / choirs, and one might suspect this to be a basic four or five piece...

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Annie Haslam & Steve Howe - Lily's in the Field

The second publicly available song (the other being the rework of "Turn of the Century" from the Magna Carta tribute) from this duo is a benefit single for children orphaned from the...

 » Read more
(Posted by Jeff Melton 1997-02-01)

Anthony Phillips - Private Parts and Pieces I & II

Released in 1978 and 1980 respectively (though recorded earlier), when acoustic music was anything but in vogue, the first two Private Parts & Pieces collections set the tone for much...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike Ezzo 1997-02-01)

Area - Gioia e Rivoluzione

Plenty of words have already been written on this outstanding Italian jazz-rock band in the pages of Exposé‚ so anyone wanting the historical background or a detailed synopsis...

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Area - Parigi-Lisbona

This recording comprises two live shows from the premier "international PoPular group" of the 70s and 80s, Area, bringing us back in time to 1976 when such bands were loud (yet audible),...

 » Read more
(Posted by Gary Parra 1997-02-01)

Arena - Pride

I never thought I'd see the day when Mick Pointer became a more prolific musician than his former Marillion mates. After dropping off the face of the earth for over a decade, Mick and Co. have...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike Grimes 1997-02-01)

Ars Nova - The Goddess of Darkness

It was about the time of ProgFest '94 when Arsnova's second album Transi made a big splash. Not just because this keyboard-heavy power trio was comprised of Japanese females, but...

 » Read more
(Posted by Dan Casey 1997-02-01)

Ars Nova - The Goddess of Darkness

The Goddess of Darkness is the third and latest release from this Japanese instrumental trio and is a solid follow-up to their last album, Transi. Although influenced by the likes...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike Grimes 1997-02-01)

Ars Nova - The Goddess of Darkness

In mostly minor modes, Ars Nova, Japan's all-female progressive band, delivers riff after riff of enjoyable, classic prog keyboard trio fare targeted at the not-so-faint-of-heart amateurs....

 » Read more
(Posted by Alain Lachapelle 1997-02-01)

Ars Nova - The Goddess of Darkness

I never thought "progressive rock" was a music of image, but Ars Nova have done a lot to change my mind about that. Anyway, what is it with the Japanese symphonic rock groups? Have you...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1997-02-01)

Art and Illusion - Seasons

When I first broke the seal on this disc and saw the booklet photos with people playing accordions, mandolins, and balalaikas, my curiosity was piqued, hoping for some kind of folk-rock ensemble or...

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Art Zoyd - Faust

It's been too long since I've heard anything by Art Zoyd. They have continued down their unique path begun on L'Enfer, taking them in recent years to the macabre soundtracks of...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike Ezzo 1997-02-01)

Arti e Mestieri - Quinto Stato

Formed by ex-Trip drummer Furio Chirico, Arti e Mestieri was one of Italy's best jazz-rock / fusion bands (certainly equal to Perigeo and Area), and they launched their career with two classic...

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Arto Lindsay - O Corpo Sutil - The Subtle Body

Lindsay has been a fixture of the New York "No Wave" scene and beyond since the early 80s. His most notable projects have been as vocalist and guitarist for The Lounge Lizards...

 » Read more
(Posted by Steve Robey 1997-02-01)

Asia - Archiva 1 & 2

Probably the best question to ask at this point is: What relevance does Asia have within the context of a progressive rock journal? By now the question is largely rhetorical because the answer is...

 » Read more
(Posted by Paul Hightower 1997-02-01)

Aton's - Klein & Wagner

Aton's is led by vocalist / guitarist / keyboardist Pietro Ratto, who is also the sole songwriter for the band. For the most part, the compositions are more interesting rhythmically than...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike Grimes 1997-02-01)

Attila & Dave Project - Songs of Innocence & Experience

This new trio from the San Francisco Bay Area is a picturesque collage of styles ranging from mid-60s psychedelic music (e.g. early Pink Floyd), 50s surf style guitar playing (new words) but with a...

 » Read more
(Posted by Jeff Melton 1997-02-01)

Attila & Dave Project - Songs of Innocence & Experience

Keyboardist / singer Attila Medveczky and guitarist / backing vocalist Dave Stevenson form the core of this band, with drummer / percussionist Rusty Aceves fortifying the group's rock dimension...

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Ave Rock - Ave Rock & Espacios

Over the course of their two albums, Ave Rock displayed a heavier approach to progressive rock than their other Argentine counterparts. Organ and guitar dominate the instrumentation on the...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike Ohman 1997-02-01)

Ax Genrich - Wave Cut

Everybody should be on to this by now, one of the most impressive comebacks in psychedelic acid rock ever. Guru Guru's most cathartic and inventive guitarist released Psychedelic...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1997-02-01)

Ax Genrich - Wave Cut

Hey, anyone in the mood for a cheery toe-tapping experience courtesy of the pleasantries of MIDI sequencers, drum machines, and other groovy techno devices? False alarm! You won't find it here....

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike Ezzo 1997-02-01)

Ax Genrich - Wave Cut

As guitarist for the German psych / prog band Guru Guru, Ax Genrich combined crunchy power chords, woozy wah-wah effects, and groaning slide work. Fortunately for all of us, Genrich has not...

 » Read more
(Posted by Steve Robey 1997-02-01)

Banda Elástica - Maquizcoatl

This is not music in the traditional sense. But don't let this refrain you from sampling a collection of sonic atmospheres exclusively made with acoustic instruments and most noticeably, South...

 » Read more
(Posted by Alain Lachapelle 1997-02-01)

Bart Hopkin - Gravikords, Whirlies & Pyrophones: Experimental Musical Instruments

If you've ever had an interest in experimental and in some cases unique musical instruments, then this beautifully illustrated (with many full color photos) volume by Bart Hopkin, with a...

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Bellaphon - Firefly

Bellaphon are a four-piece from Japan, consisting of the standard guitar / bass / keys / drums lineup. Their arrangements are heavy on the keyboards, with Camel-like guitar breaks providing the...

 » Read more
(Posted by Steve Robey 1997-02-01)

Benjamin Grant DePauw - Monkey Village

Can an album be too diverse? Monkey Village opens with two minutes of beautiful ambient angelic voices, then kicks into the six minute title track, a funky pop tune in a very commercial...

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Blezqi Zatsaz - Rise and Fall of Passionate Sanity

Perhaps Progressive Rock Worldwide's first really strong release was this, the debut by keyboard-progsters Blezqi Zatsaz. Though consisting of the classic guitar / bass / keyboards / drums...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike Ohman 1997-02-01)

Bon - To the Bone

Bon Lozaga's latest moves further into the heavy guitar driven jazz realms, a place only hinted at on his previous, Full Circle. There's plenty of variety herein, from punchy rock...

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Bon - To the Bone

Lots of guitar on this one, naturally. This is mainly a guitar album and to this effect, Bon Lozaga delves in gracefully, supported by fellows Hansford Rowe on bass, Vic Stevens on drums plus the...

 » Read more
(Posted by Alain Lachapelle 1997-02-01)

Bon - To the Bone

Bon Lozaga is a talented guitarist related to the Gong axis tenuously through the Pierre Moerlen side. This is his new album, joined by guests like David Torn and other Moerlen's Gong...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1997-02-01)

Bondage Fruit - Bondage Fruit II

Bondage Fruit has produced another disc of full-throttle over-the-top world-influenced zeuhl-rock with their own unique Japanese avant-garde twist. For anyone won over by last year's powerful...

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Buckethead - The Day of the Robot

Out of the floating ambient textures that open the first track, a grisly mechanical metal monster arises, destroying everything within ear's reach; there is, of course no escape, until it...

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Cast - Beyond Reality

Can a band really improve exponentially? Cast proves that it may just be possible. I found it hard to believe that they could do much better than their last album, Endless Signs, but their...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike Ohman 1997-02-01)

Cast - Beyond Reality

Cast has released some of the more interesting neo-progressive music in the past few years. In many ways, Beyond Reality is similar to last year's Endless Sings. The strong...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike Grimes 1997-02-01)

Cast - Beyond Reality

If anything, Cast are at least one of the best when it comes to promoting and marketing their music. A hundred "progressive" bands could learn a lot from the way they do things as...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1997-02-01)

Chris Cutler / Zeena Parkins - Shark!

Cutler (drums, percussion, electronics) and Parkins (harp, melodica, electrification) are both seasoned veterans of the Recommended axis. This project contains two lengthy live improvisations that...

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Circle of Fairies - As the Years Go By

One thing this Italian band has going for it is the keyboardist's impressive array of analog instruments, which gets quite a lot of use over this, their debut album. In fact, it's the...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike Ohman 1997-02-01)

Cloud Chamber - Live Demo

A purely improvisational ensemble, Cloud Chamber features four musicians who have all made their mark on the new music scene as individuals: Barry Cleveland, on guitar and e-bow, has several...

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Curved Air - Live at the BBC

Something I hear often regarding Curved Air is complaints about the band's lack of focus and the unevenness of many of their studio recordings. This may be due to the fact that the only...

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Darling - Darling

From Omaha, Nebraska, Darling is Hal Darling on drums, piano, keyboards, and sequencing, and sibling Bryce Darling on ancillary percussion and keyboards. No vocals, sorry! No guitars either, but...

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

David Helpling - Between Green and Blue

The dreamlike textures and flowing moods offered on Between Green and Blue give this a slightly different feel than many of the SPM releases before it. There is a lot of territory explored...

 » Read more
(Posted by Jon Davis 1997-02-01)

David Shaw-Parker - The Lemming Chronicles

If you had to summarize, you could call this book a critical appreciation of the albums and concerts of Van der Graaf Generator and Peter Hammill as seen through the eyes of a fan who calls himself...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike Ezzo 1997-02-01)

David Thomas & Ronnie Gunn - The Giants Dance

I guess at some point anyone even remotely connected with Genesis will come out of the woodwork to market their offerings. Case in point. David Thomas and Ronnie Gunn were two musicians who...

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

David Tudor - Microphone

In 1973 longtime John Cage associate David Tudor recorded the two pieces on this album, which could best be described as ambient sonic experimentation. Low register audio outbursts of varying tone...

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

De Ros - Ad Dei Gloriam

De Ros is a three-piece (guitar / bass / drums) South American group led by guitarist Marcos V. de Ros. Their all instrumental album is a blazing shredfest! If Ad Dei Gloriam was released...

 » Read more
(Posted by Jon Davis 1997-02-01)

Dead Can Dance - Spiritchaser

A group I've only had the chance to hear on one previous occasion (their Spleen and Ideal album), Dead Can Dance didn't take me by storm then. But I have always awaited a chance to...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike Ezzo 1997-02-01)

Deambra - Deambra

This Southern California five-piece of veteran session players is led by guitarist Alex Deambrini. It was no surprise to learn, in their bio, that vocalist Jonn Ross has done studio work with Jon...

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Desequilíbrios - Desequilíbrios

Desequilíbrios is Fábio Ribeiro's other band. Unlike Blezqi Zatsaz, they sound less like...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike Ohman 1997-02-01)

Deus Ex Machina - Diacronie Metronomiche

Every Deus Ex Machina listener has a preferred song that is a wish to hear performed live. Diacronie Metronomiche sheds any doubts about the band using studio overdubs to make their full...

 » Read more
(Posted by Alain Lachapelle 1997-02-01)

Die Anarchistische Abendunterhaltung! - Die Anarchistische Abendunterhaltung!

Much activity has been transpiring in Belgium as of late. First there was Univers Zero, Julverne and Present. There followed a whole slew of groups in the chamber/neo-classical/jazz-rock vein...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike Ezzo 1997-02-01)

Dogma - Album

This neo-prog quartet clearly stand apart from the pack, forging bravely ahead as they do without a vocalist. Instrumentally, they have much in common with Marillion, IQ, even Pendragon, as well as...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike Ohman 1997-02-01)

Dogma - Twin Sunrise

Dogma are certainly given ample help on their sophomore release: strings, a choir, a flute player and four vocalists appear this time round. Don't let the vocalists scare you. Well, not too...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike Ohman 1997-02-01)

Drama - Drama

No, not that one or that one or

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1997-02-01)

Drifting Sun - Drifting Sun

Keyboardist Pat Sanders seems to be the main mover in Drifting Sun, a relatively new four-piece from the UK. This is their first release, a solid collection of nine rock tunes, mostly memorable and...

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Earcandy - Sound Is Just the Way You Ear It

Quite a grab bag of psychedelia, this. We covered Earcandy's first two releases (Space Is Just a Place and Time Is Just a State of Mind), both released on LP only,

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

EAS - Absolute Presence

It's hard to be a three-piece guitar, bass, and drums progressive rock band and not sound like Rush it seems. EAS has enough in common with them that comparisons are hard to avoid. The...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike Grimes 1997-02-01)

Echolyn - When the Sweet Turns Sour

So one of the best American bands in ages has come and gone, rising unheard of from Philly and through the ranks of the Sony / Epic corporate record label, which sadly proved to be their last true...

 » Read more
(Posted by Dan Casey 1997-02-01)

Eclat - Vol. I & II

Eclat is a French five-piece whose style lies somewhere between the symphonic stylings pioneered by bands like Ange and Mona Lisa and the folk-directed tendencies of bands like Minimum Vital. There...

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Egoband - We Are...

Egoband are a contemporary progressive outfit from Italy. Although their sound is generally generic hard prog, at times they throw in some surprises such as e-bowed guitar solos, Floydian drones,...

 » Read more
(Posted by Steve Robey 1997-02-01)

El Puente de Alvarado - Conquista y Destrucción de México-Tenochtitlán

Two alumni from Iconoclasta (the drummer and guitarist) team up with ex-Chac Mool / Via Lactea keyboardist Carlos Perea and a bassist to record this CD of short instrumental prog rock tunes. If it...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike Ezzo 1997-02-01)

Emmanuel Borghi & Collectif Mu - Anecdotes & Live au Crescent

These two albums are products of Seventh's developing interest in contemporary French jazz. The lineups on the recordings are similar; they share the same bassist, drummer, and two sax players,...

 » Read more
(Posted by Rob Walker 1997-02-01)

Enzo Capuano - Storia Mai Scritta

A very rare Italian solo, Enzo Capuano's music cuts the line between Italian canzone (Battisti, early Storm Six and many more) and a symphonic soundtrack type of music. The vocal music is...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1997-02-01)

Espíritu - Espíritu & Live en Obras '82

This Argentine band are best-known for their classic Crisálida, an album of complex guitar / synth prog in the Italian style a la Semiramis. The self-titled album was made several...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike Ohman 1997-02-01)

Etron Fou Leloublan - 43 Songs

Yet another crazy band. Establishing their premises strongly in the RIO realm, Etron Fou Leloublan's crafters weave intricate lines putting forth saxes in the forefront while silly lyrics...

 » Read more
(Posted by Alain Lachapelle 1997-02-01)

Fear of Dolls - All Monsters Eat Children

This Seattle area four-piece plays in a song oriented style, somewhere along the alternative-gothic-noise axis, the vocals typically heavily treated and guitars shimmering in an almost-psychedelic...

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Finisterre - In Limine

Still spacey, ethereal and sublime, Finisterre are one of the most interesting of the new Italian groups, skirting the Marillion school that so many are fond of and embracing that refined subtlety...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1997-02-01)

Finisterre - In Limine

After a respectable first album, Finisterre returns with a solid follow-up. The band doesn't really have any weak links. All of the musicians are on about the same musical level, and their...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike Grimes 1997-02-01)

Finisterre - In Limine

Finisterre surprised us last year with their debut album. In Limine is an excellent follow-up. Compared to their first, we find here in most pieces more of an acoustic atmosphere. Time is...

 » Read more
(Posted by Alain Lachapelle 1997-02-01)

Foglie di Vetro - Foglie di Vetro

The Italian scene has undergone a complete renaissance in the last five to six years. With bands like Deus Ex Machina, Aria Palea, Finisterre, Spirosfera, Sithonia, and Abiogenesi leading the way,...

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Fourth Estate - Finesse and Fury & See What I See

This writer was completely unfamiliar with Fourth Estate prior to their performance on day one of Progscape II, but apparently they've been around a while — certainly long enough to...

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Frank Zappa - Läther

At long last, Zappa's late 70s quadruple-album masterpiece has received a well-deserved official release. When Warner Bros. rejected Zappa's attempt to fulfill his remaining contract...

 » Read more
(Posted by Rob Walker 1997-02-01)

Free Access - Yu Pretty But Yu Kian Come In

I was initially a bit surprised when I saw that this band was from Cuba, not a country known for its prog rock. I was immediately won over, though, once I heard what they could put down. What Free...

 » Read more
(Posted by Paul Hightower 1997-02-01)

French TV - After a Lengthy Silence

The second album from this Louisville, KY band, After a Lengthy Silence, was originally recorded in 1987, and has now finally been re-released on CD. French TV play a somewhat eclectic...

 » Read more
(Posted by Rob Walker 1997-02-01)

Geno White - Standing in Stereo

From the opening track, a maelstrom of Hendrix-like feedback mixed with chunky blasts of power rock, it's obvious that White's latest release will be a guitarist's guitar album. Joining...

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Gentle Giant - Out of the Woods - The BBC Sessions

Here is another BBC sessions release on the Band of Joy label, with one unreleased track and several earlier versions of arrangements which became live staples of the band during the group's heyday....  » Read more
(Posted by Jeff Melton 1997-02-01)

Geoffrey Downes - Evolution

Downes of course was a one-time member of Yes; in the absence of Wakeman and Moraz he took over the keyboard duties on their Drama album while former Buggles associate Trevor Horn did his...

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Geoffrey Downes & The New Dance Orchestra - Vox Humana

The second solo album by this veteran of Yes and Asia comes pretty much in two distinct halves: a pop song half and a more inspired set of short vignettes that hint at the simpler strains of Mike...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike Ezzo 1997-02-01)

Germán Bringas - El Salto

Bringas is a Mexican multi-instrumentalist operating along the experimental / jazz / new world music axis. El Salto is the latest of several albums, and is a solo project in the truest...

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Giustio Pio - Missa Populi

Working around the familiar theme of the Roman Catholic Mass, Italian composer Giusto Pio has created a splendid and meticulously crafted work featuring a large choir, flutes and other woodwinds,...

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Grandbell - The Sun and the Embryo

My immediate snap-judgment upon first listening to this was "Yes-clone." This was mainly based upon hearing vocalist Renato Jardim, who is unapologetically influenced by Jon Anderson....

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike Ohman 1997-02-01)

Hecenia - Légendes

Légendes is Hecenia’s first album, recorded in 1989, released in 1990, and now reissued on CD. If you’ve only heard Hecenia’s second release, La Couleur du...

 » Read more
(Posted by Henry Schneider 1997-02-01)

Holy River Family Band - Haida Deities

Holy River Family Band is apparently an offshoot of the Swedish psych band The Spacious Mind, a three-piece lineup playing guitars, zaz, oud, surna, violin, bass, organ, synths, hurdy-gurdy,...

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Ilous & Decuyper - Ilous & Decuyper

Ilous & Decuyper occupy an interesting niche in French rock, one that doesn't relate much to what is even vaguely referred to as progressive or symphonic rock. Yet this album is certainly...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1997-02-01)

Iluvatar - Children

This writer's first exposure to this Baltimore area five-piece was a couple years ago via a pirate tape of their performance at Progscape #1 ('94), the second was their live performance at...

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

IQ - Forever Live

What, no "Material Girl?" I remember hearing of this supposed IQ live CD+Video compilation about two and a half years ago when IQ played in San Jose. Three years after the actual...

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(Posted by Mike Grimes 1997-02-01)

J.Arif Verner - A Vision beyond Light

Verner is a composer, multi-instrumentalist, and engineer who is no newcomer to the scene: his first release was Clear Colors, released in 1988, and he has been involved in numerous...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

J.B. Lee - We Know You Can Hear Us, Earthmen

An interesting and somewhat haunting musical expedition, Lee performs the six instrumental compositions here on programmed synths and sequencers using a variety of instrument voices. It took a...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

J.E.T. - Fede, Speranza, Carità

The sole album from this Italian outfit dates back to 1972. The band is a four-piece consisting of guitar, keys, bass, and drums. While there are certain clearly Italian melodies and harmonic...

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(Posted by Mike Grimes 1997-02-01)

Javier Paxarino - Temurá

New names from Spain are something to look forward to, and Javier Paxariño is one of them. What began as a work in the vein of Jorge Reyes turned out as something that would be at home on a...

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(Posted by Mike Ezzo 1997-02-01)

Jean-Luc Chevalier - Hommage à Jaco

This is Chevalier's tribute to the extraordinairy bassist Jaco Pastorius. As expected we find here a music that gives ample room to horns. The trumpet is introducing and playing melodies,...

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(Posted by Alain Lachapelle 1997-02-01)

Jean-Pascal Boffo - Jeux de Nains

Musea's very first release has finally received the digital treatment. Boffo was the bassist / guitarist of the early eighties Zeuhl band Troll, who despite their good reputation left no...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Jerry Lucky - The Progressive Rock Files

Lucky is a Canadian writer and music historian with a background in radio, and an observer of the progressive scene at large. In this ambitious revised and expanded third edition, he attempts to...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

John Flomer's Primal Cinema - Mysterious Motions of Memory

Mysterious Motions is synthesist / composer Flomer's debut for Spotted Peccary. As 'Primal Cinema' and the title might suggest, the music here has a strong cinematic character,...

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(Posted by Jon Davis 1997-02-01)

Jukka Tolonen - The Hook & Hysterica

Tolonen is a Finnish guitarist who spent the early 70s toiling with the progressive band Tasavallan Presidenti. After leaving that band, he put out a series of obscure but very worthwhile solo...

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(Posted by Steve Robey 1997-02-01)

Julian Cope - Krautrocksampler

The British publication Krautrocksampler is here in its second edition. Running to 143 pages, it sports a few photos, and comes trimmed with sundry color reproductions of record covers...

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(Posted by Mike Ezzo 1997-02-01)

Kaizen - Gargula

This was reviewed before, in issue #7. I'll admit to being not terribly impressed with this album upon first listen. But after several plays, the music got to me, and now I can't get enough...

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(Posted by Mike Ohman 1997-02-01)

Kevin Leonard - Automatrix

In 1992 Kevin Leonard, North Star's keyboardist, released a self-produced solo cassette of eight jazz influenced progressive instrumental compositions. Now he has released this same music on...

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(Posted by Henry Schneider 1997-02-01)

King Crimson - Thrakattak

What more can be said about King Crimson that hasn't already been said? Not much that I can think of. They have continued to define and redefine the parameters of Progressive Rock (at least in...

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(Posted by Mike Ezzo 1997-02-01)

Kräldjursanstalten - Voodoo Boogie / Nu Är Det Allvar!!

Have the Excedrin bottle handy for this one. Actually it's not that bad, and in fact starts to reveal itself after a few listens as being pretty innovative and unique. But the shouted punky...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

La Casa de Agua - La Casa de Agua

Most of this album has me wondering why I'm reviewing it in a progressive rock publication at all. "Mexican jazz-funk" is the closest description that I can come to for the bulk of...

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(Posted by Mike Ohman 1997-02-01)

La Société des Timides à la Parade des Oiseaux - Les Explositionnistes

STPO stands for "La Société des Timides à la Parade des Oiseaux". Okay... I think that means "the shy people's society at the parade of the birds." This...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Landberk - Indian Summer

Before Änglagård and Anekdoten were household prog names, Landberk was paving the way for the new breed of Swedish progressive rock bands. It's strange in a way because Landberk...

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(Posted by Mike Grimes 1997-02-01)

Landberk - Indian Summer

Landberk makes me sleepy. Now before this is taken as criticism, remember that sleep is a good thing at the right time, which is as good an analogy as I can get to their music. This is essentially...

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(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1997-02-01)

Landberk - Indian Summer

Landberk's third album is basically what you'd expect from this Swedish outfit: every bit as melancholy and organic as their first two releases. Mellotrons weave in and out of clean guitar...

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(Posted by Dan Casey 1997-02-01)

Legend - Triple Aspect

Move over Annie Haslam. Legend is a British Pagan prog-rock band, fronted by the amazing voice of Debbie Chapman. In fact this writer heard their first record Light in Extension about five...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Lemur Voice - Insights

When they give out the awards for the weirdest band names, Lemur Voice will surely be at the front of the line, right up there with Public Foot the Roman. Names aside, if anyone longs for the kind...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Lhasa Cement Plant - Chakra Full of Blood

This instrumental four-piece of dual guitars, bass, and drums features two ex-Borbetomagus members and occupies an area of the sonic spectrum shared with bands like Material and Praxis, a grinding...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Living Life - Mysterious Dream

Italian rock from '79 to the mid 80s was very different from the classic 70s period ('72 to '78.) Gone for the most part were the symphonic song structures, heavy romanticism and rich...

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(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1997-02-01)

Livit - Unspoken

The ability to surprise is one thing that makes music interesting. Livit apparently knows this, and uses it to their advantage of their 1996 album Unspoken. No style used on this album...

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(Posted by Steve Robey 1997-02-01)

Lussier / Derome / Cutler - Three Suite Piece

This project featuring Canadians Jean Derome (keys, flute, saxes, electronics), and René Lussier (guitars, percussion) along with drummer Chris Cutler, veteran of Henry Cow and countless...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Lynne - Witchwood

With the exception of a few guest guitar spots and several samples from Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom sound effect library, all of the music on Witchwood is played by...

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(Posted by Mike Grimes 1997-02-01)

Magma - Concert 1971 Bruxelles - Théâtre 140

Prior to the release of this, the earliest Magma shows that could be found on the tape collector circuit were mostly from the 1973-74 period (although a partial show from Metz in 3/72 exists). So...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Magnesis - Absinthéïsme

Not completely certain if this is essentially a solo project with some additional musicians helping, or if Magnesis is indeed a band. There are two albums that pre-date this one, neither of which...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Malombra - Our Lady of the Bones

This album has some great song titles: "Dedicated Dopamines Dance," "Requiem for the Human Beast," "Sinister Morning." Excellent! Also of intrigue is that one track,...

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(Posted by Mike Grimes 1997-02-01)

Mastermind - IV - Until Eternity

For their fourth album, Mastermind has carefully balanced all of their best tendencies within eight tracks of varying length, offering an album that captures the spirit of late-60s/early-70s rock...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Mastermind - IV - Until Eternity

Mastermind's fourth offering lies somewhere between melodic rock, hard rock, and progressive rock. Guitarist / songwriter Bill Berends plays and writes in a style reminiscent of people like...

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(Posted by Mike Grimes 1997-02-01)

Mastermind - IV - Until Eternity

Mastermind's calling card is the extraordinary talent of frontman Bill Berends, who composes the material and provides much of the sound, with his midi guitar and traditional guitar leads....

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(Posted by Steve Robey 1997-02-01)

Mathematicians - Factor of Four

Factor of Four is the second release from this all-instrumental quartet. Their music is a mix of somewhat rhythmically intricate symphonic elements with an occasional contemporary fusion...

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(Posted by Rob Walker 1997-02-01)

Melting Euphoria - Beyond the Maybe Machine

Back in the late 60s, I used to imagine music like this, but nobody was making it then; Ummagumma was the first album that really came close. Meltin Euphoria's sound could best be...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Mickey Simmonds - The Shape of Rain

Mickey Simmonds' debut as a solo artist presents a well-traveled craftsman in do-it-yourself mode. I'm not certain if this is due in part to his inability to supply material for a group...

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(Posted by Jeff Melton 1997-02-01)

Mike Myers - Myriad

This is the second release for Texas based percussionist / keyboardist Mike Myers. The eleven tracks on Myriad cover a wide range of styles from jazz-rock to progressive to pop to more...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

moe. - Meat

moe. (the lower-case "m" and the period are not typos) has been gigging around the east coast for the past five years, cultivating a loyal following with their dynamic live performances...

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(Posted by Rob Walker 1997-02-01)

Moongarden - Brainstorm of Emptiness

Genesis and Van der Graaf Generator were very popular in Italy in the mid-70s. While nowadays you can't sell out a 1,000 seater at Progfest in the USA, bands such as these were hot sellers in...

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(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1997-02-01)

Mosaic - Miniatures

What will Crovella come up with next? An album of small symphonic rock tracks all approximately two minutes or less with a plethora of titles that often seem longer than the music themselves....

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(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1997-02-01)

Mystery - Theatre of the Mind

Straddling the line between mainstream rock and a more progressive angle, this excellent six-piece from Lorraine, Quebec covers an area that is covered often but rarely done so well. This is not...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

National Health - Missing Pieces

Finally! Most of the missing links between the last Hatfield and the North (1975) and the first National Health (1977) albums make their way into the light of day. Several copies of these sessions...

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(Posted by Jeff Melton 1997-02-01)

National Health - Missing Pieces

Normally, Exposé reserves roundtable reviews for new releases by current artists, but an exception has been made in this case — a CD of "lost" recordings by the...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

National Health - Missing Pieces

After 20 or so years in the vault, many unreleased National Health treasures finally see the light of day. National Health ranks up there among the most important progressive rock bands of all...

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(Posted by Mike Grimes 1997-02-01)

Necropolis - Blueprint for Bedlam

Necro- [<Gr. nekros, a dead body] a combining form meaning death, corpse.

Get it? Well, before one writes these guys off as another worthless death...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Network - The Little Blue Book

Some may remember Network from their album Corroded Paths released about three years ago. Members of the band (a five-piece from the UK) all seem to be involved in numerous projects,...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

New Sun - Fractured

New Sun is a heavily Crimson-influenced band with two lead effects-based guitars and a solid rhythm section. DL Erickson holds down the rhythm patterns and also takes a few solos in the vein of the...

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(Posted by Jeff Melton 1997-02-01)

No-Man - Flowermix & Heaven Taste

I suppose the music on these two remix CDs by No-Man could be categorized as loosely flirting with the techno / trance / ambient realm of things, but since the exceptions far outweigh the rule, it...

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(Posted by Mike Ezzo 1997-02-01)

Only a Mother - Feral Chickens

What do you get when you combine five highly original and multi-talented musicians with a veritable endless supply of musical instruments? Man, I'd hate to be a roadie for these guys, you'd...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Pablo "El Enterrador" - Pablo "El Enterrador"

This is a well-known symphonic-prog album from late-70s Argentina. I am personally of the opinion that its reputation is rather over-inflated: no album with a song as annoyingly commercial as the...

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(Posted by Mike Ohman 1997-02-01)

Pangée - Hymnemonde

Listening to this new Quebecois quintet's début album is like stepping into a time-warp and going back to 1972 Germany. Though it is certainly a new release, it is convincingly 70s...

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(Posted by Mike Ohman 1997-02-01)

Pangée - Hymnemonde

I thought this niche of the symphonic rock genre was long dead, but I'm very glad it isn't. Pangée of Quebec, Canada is strongly in the 70s French symphonic vein with heavy nods in...

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(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1997-02-01)

Pangée - Hymnemonde

There's been a buzz about this album since early this spring, indeed it was highly touted by all who had heard it, which made this writer both curious and a little suspicious — knowing...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Patrick Gauthier - Le Morse

Patrick Gauthier's third solo offering reveals, past the "soul" opening piece, a rich blend of keyboards and vocals, hovering mostly in between mysterious and clear atmospheres, with...

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(Posted by Alain Lachapelle 1997-02-01)

Porcupine Tree - Signify

On their latest release, Signify, Porcupine Tree continues to consolidate and refine the approach used on their previous release, The Sky Moves Sideways. While Sky was...

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(Posted by Steve Robey 1997-02-01)

Premiata Forneria Marconi - 10 Anni Live 1971-1981

The saga of PFM is one of the most interesting and revealing of all of the "progressive" symphonic rock greats. With PFM you see the birth of the Italian classical rock scene, you see a...

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(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1997-02-01)

Presence - Black Opera

For their second album, this Italian group has expanded on its dramatic, heavy-metal-meets-neoprog sound. A quartet of guitars, keys, vocals, and drums, their music flirts with a quasi-operatic...

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(Posted by Rob Walker 1997-02-01)

Presence - Black Opera

Giuseppe Verdi, 1813-1901. Not exactly a household name among proggers, but his operas rank among some of the best of the 19th century: La Traviata, Aida, Don Carlo,...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Present - Live!

What a treat this was — to hear a live recording by the enigmatic Present. Led by Roger Trigaux, this band has unfortunately dwelt in the shadow of his alma mater, Univers Zero. With only...

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(Posted by Mike Ezzo 1997-02-01)

Present - Live!

On again, off again, and on again, this mini-tour eventually did occur (with 5uu's David Kerman subbing for the rumored Daniel Denis) and is captured on this fine release. Along with...

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(Posted by Dan Casey 1997-02-01)

Present - Live!

Present is back in black. When we last heard from this Belgian band — 1995's studio reformation disc COD Performance, the lineup consisted only of Roger Trigaux and his son...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Quarkspace - Quarkspace

Quarkspace was one of six bands who performed at Eclectic Electric Event in Louisville this year, a four-piece from Ohio, with guests. Their sound is based around a loosely structured and rhythmic...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Quidam - Quidam

I love almost any album that starts with heavy organ... almost. To be a bit more objective, this self-titled album by the symphonic Polish band Quidam is like a lot of other bands: less derivative...

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(Posted by Jeff Melton 1997-02-01)

Raoul Björkenheim / Krakatau - Ritual

Ah Krakatau's first album, another interesting choice by Steve Feigenbaum for reissue. Krakatau has resided in ECM's stable since their third album, and all are worth checking out. Raoul...

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(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1997-02-01)

Rascal Reporters - Happy Accidents

What do you get when you combine two one-man bands? Why, Rascal Reporters of course. Steve Gore and Steve Kretzmer are the men responsible for the music of this highly idiosyncratic American group....

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(Posted by Mike Ezzo 1997-02-01)

Ray - Somewhere in the Universe

Ray is Ray Roehner on vocals, acoustic guitars, flute, and pennywhistle, John Berg on acoustic and electric guitars, and three other musicians on keys, bass, and percussion, with guests providing...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Redjy Emond - Sphere

Redjy Emond is a keyboard player from Quebec. He is a newcomer on the prog rock scene and while the pieces found on this CD constitute his very first offering, he nevertheless culminates many years...

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(Posted by Alain Lachapelle 1997-02-01)

Redjy Emond - Sphere

This is one of those albums that contains a one man rock band mostly controlled by synthesizers. I'm not too fond of the robotic tendencies of this way of going at it, yet Redjy is a more...

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(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1997-02-01)

Redjy Emond - Sphere

Sphere is a complete one-man show by a keyboardist whose primary style is drawn from a very watered down Emerson (e.g. Keith on the last ELP: injured and should have waited) or Yanni on...

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(Posted by Jeff Melton 1997-02-01)

Rhesus O - Rhesus O

A lost relic from the early zeuhl period, Rhesus O was a band formed by keyboardist Jean-Pol Asseline and drummer Thierry Blanchard in 1971, along with five other musicians — among them Magma...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Riccardo Zappa - Celestion

Zappa is a composer and guitarist who released a string of about nine mostly instrumental albums between 1977 and 1990. Celestion was the first, and is also the first to get the digital...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Richard Bone - The Eternal Now

With four releases under his belt, Richard Bone has touched on a variety of different musical avenues, of which The Eternal Now is his nod to the New Age / ambient realm. While I'm...

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(Posted by Mike Ezzo 1997-02-01)

Rick Biddulph - Second Nature

If his name is a mite familiar, perhaps it should be. Biddulph is a multi-instrumentalist who had been a roadie and sound engineer for several Canterbury bands (Hatfield among them) before joining...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Rick Wakeman - Say Yes!

I knew Rick Wakeman had a great sense of humor, but I didn't know he was this funny! Told with a true gift for storytelling, Say Yes! should have all but the most hardened...

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(Posted by Mike Ezzo 1997-02-01)

Rivendel - The Meaning

It's amazing how Musea continually releases an endless string of masterpieces; not just old classics, but new releases such as this one as well. This album's style fits squarely in the...

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(Posted by Steve Robey 1997-02-01)

Rush - Test for Echo & Working Man Tribute

My initial reaction to the new Rush album: "It's bogus." After making this statement, people claimed that it wasn't informative enough, so I sat back and rethought just what I...

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(Posted by Dane Carlson 1997-02-01)

Scott McMahan - Garden of Sand

After a couple times through in loop mode this collection of noisettes and electonic musical thoughts got to be pretty addicting. One sort of gets used to the low-budget sound quality and the...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Seate - Kedarui Gogono

This hitherto unknown five-piece from Japan features violinist Junko Minobe, ex- of Cinderella Search, and is fronted by vocalist Yoko Tuchiya. The remainder of the band features piano, bass and...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Shylock - Île de Fièvre

Finally, this reissue has arrived. Rumors of Musea releasing this French symphonic masterpiece can be traced back to as early as 1992. When Shylock's first, Giarlogues, was reissued a...

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(Posted by Dan Casey 1997-02-01)

Sianspheric - Somnium

After an initial listen did little to impress, it got tossed on the loser pile to collect dust for some three months or so. By chance, a second listen revealed that there was a lot more to it than...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Smashpalace - Smashpalace

Smashpalace is a four-piece of guitars, bass, and drums, with a dedicated singer, hailing from Racine, Wisconsin. Their style is accessible, featuring savvy compositions, a punchy guitar driven...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Soft Machine - Spaced

The material on Spaced was originally recorded in 1969 (circa Third) for a special choreographed multi-media one-week event of the same name at the London Roundhouse. Although the...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Soh Band - No Problem at All

Soh Band is a Japanese quintet who play the familiar variety of eclectic fusion native to their country. With a sound at times not unlike fellow countrymen Il Berlione, they mix a bit of...

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(Posted by Rob Walker 1997-02-01)

Solaris - Live in Los Angeles

For anyone that was completely blown away by this band's performance at Progfest in November '95 (everyone in the house, from what this writer could ascertain), this two disc set is nothing...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Solaris - Marsbéli Krónikák (The Martian Chronicles) & 1990

At long last, The Gong label has stepped forward and re-released Solaris' The Martian Chronicles and 1990. While both these titles have been previously available on CD, both...

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(Posted by Mike Grimes 1997-02-01)

Som Nosso de Cada Dia - Live '94

When the band reformed to record "O Guarani" for use as a bonus track for the Snegs reissue, who would have thought a live tour of Brazil would have been the result? Those...

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(Posted by Mike Ohman 1997-02-01)

Som Nosso de Cada Dia - Snegs

This three-man band is apparently well-remembered in their native Brazil. One look at the line-up will have the average listener thinking "ELP-clone" before the CD even starts playing,...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike Ohman 1997-02-01)

Somnambulist - Somnambulist

Fans of Mellotron and heavy Hammond take note. Somnambulist is a four-piece from Chattanooga, Tennessee, who are solidly powered by these two instruments, as well as synths, guitars, and a heavy...

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Sons of Selina - Terminus

This EP is a bit of enigmatic release, coming with no band or lineup information at all. The disc contains three songs, totaling 23 minutes. The music on the first two tracks features a driving,...

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(Posted by Rob Walker 1997-02-01)

Spiral Realms - Solar Wind

I am bummed that my dislike of Nik Turner caused me to miss these guys. The master of Space Violin, ex-Hawkwind player Simon House brought his band, Spiral Realms, to the Great American Music Hall....

 » Read more
(Posted by Dane Carlson 1997-02-01)

Stelvio Cipriani (with Goblin) - Solamente Nero

Funk bass lines, analog synth lines, weird effects, and campy horror movies, no one knows how to mix them like Goblin. The soundtrack of Solamente Nero finally released (like I knew it all...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1997-02-01)

Stern-Combo Meissen - Weisses Gold & Reise zum Mittelpunkt des Menschen

Stern Meissen (originally Stern-Combo Meissen) are universally acclaimed as East Germany's greatest progressive rock band. Not wishing to wait for Amiga to reissue their albums, the band took...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike Ohman 1997-02-01)

TagYerit - Heavy Construction

With its male / female harmony vocals, short, somewhat catchy tunes, and a folky flavor at times, Heavy Construction is reminiscent perhaps of a Richard and Linda Thompson album. That is...

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(Posted by Rob Walker 1997-02-01)

Tajack - Tajack

Imagine heavy-duty three-piece power funk with an Italian version of David Clayton Thomas (Blood Sweat & Tears) at the microphone, all placed in a progressive-hard-rock context. Add some police...

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Taliesyn - When Silence Will Be Unbearable

This German band makes prog-metal with a difference. For one thing, you can actually hear the keyboards! Not only that, but the keyboards also get some decent solo space, rare in music like this....

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike Ohman 1997-02-01)

Tellah - Continente Perdido

One of the few bands from Brasilia, Brazil's capital, Tellah recorded one legendary album in 1980, then disappeared. A three-piece band of guitar, bass, and drums, two members of whom also play...

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(Posted by Mike Ohman 1997-02-01)

Terreno Baldio & Recordando o Vale das Maçãs

Certainly an argument for "truth in advertising," Terreno Baldio released their first, self-titled album in 1976. In spite of the use of the same artwork as the LP, this is not the same...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike Ohman 1997-02-01)

The Electric Groove Temple - Sequence Me

We're in heavy techno country here — intensely rhythmic, and like the Ozrics, EGT use real drums to augment the electronic based dance-beats, as well as additional percussive elements...

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

The Flower Kings - Retropolis

The latest release from Roine Stolt and Co., Retropolis, is a natural follow-up to last year's Back in the World of Adventures. The variety dominating that album is present...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike Grimes 1997-02-01)

The Flower Kings - Retropolis

For starters, Retropolis is a commercial progressive album. It's definitively got wide-audience appeal. We find here a balanced mix of vocal (with a tone reminiscent of John...

 » Read more
(Posted by Alain Lachapelle 1997-02-01)

The League of Gentlemen - Thrang Thrang Gozinbulx

The early 80s were a musical dance phenomena as well as a signpost for radical changes in the echelons of music taste and fashion. The times dictated 'in with 4/4 rhythms, out with the extended...

 » Read more
(Posted by Jeff Melton 1997-02-01)

The Moor - Flux

The Moor's first album, Every Pixie Sells a Story (reviewed in #9), set the stage...

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

The Muffins - <185>

This newly re-released version of <185> is an excellent document of the final recordings by this talented Washington, DC quartet. First, a little history: Fred Frith produced the...

 » Read more
(Posted by Steve Robey 1997-02-01)

The Surgery - Holy Umbrella

The Surgery is a trio of guitars, bass and drums, with guitarist Toshi Horisawa providing the predominantly English lead vocals, as well as some synths and programming. The album opens with a...

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Thread - Thread

This disc is essentially a two person project between Doane Perry (Jethro Tull's long time drummer) and Vince DiCola (LA virtuoso keyboardist and arranger). It evolved into a three piece with...

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(Posted by Jeff Melton 1997-02-01)

Tim Morse - Yes Stories: Yes in Their Own Words

These are times of plenty for Yes fans. The band is coming out with a plethora of new releases and solo projects, as well as gearing up for some major touring in 1997. On top of this, two new...

 » Read more
(Posted by Paul Hightower 1997-02-01)

Time Being - Time Being

When I first saw this disc, I was a bit amused. On the cover of this independent release is a cheesy-looking picture of a ghost woman descending over lavender seating on to a stage inside a...

 » Read more
(Posted by Jeff Melton 1997-02-01)

Tisaris - What's Beyond

If the balance of the album were as smokin' hot as the seven-minute instrumental "Animae" that opens it, this might be one of the best releases on the PRW label; sadly, that's not...

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(Posted by Jon Davis, Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Trace - Birds

Often unjustly dismissed as "Rick van der Linden's post-Ekseption band" or "Ian Mosley's pre-Marillion band," Trace certainly deserve to be remembered for what they...

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(Posted by Mike Ohman 1997-02-01)

Trance Mission - Head Light

Trance Mission is not your standard exotic world beat group. What I mean is that they don't just incorporate a compelling mix of exotic instruments: they exploit them. A short personnel...

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(Posted by Jeff Melton 1997-02-01)

Trem do Futuro - Trem do Futuro

If I'd had the chance to hear it last year, this would have been among my top 10 of '95. The six men that make up Trem do Futuro have a wonderous gift for melody and arrangement that any...

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(Posted by Mike Ohman 1997-02-01)

Ultimate Spinach - Ultimate Spinach, Behold & See & III

Long before the British domination of all things progressive, progress was being made in the post-San Francisco underground scene in many US cities, among them Boston. The fact that producer Alan...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Under the Sun - Under the Sun

According to the liner notes, this British six-piece ‘progressive’ band originally pressed only a few hundred copies of this, their only album. Aside from the two lame hard-rock numbers...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Ut Gret - Time of the Grets

Here is a group that, like The Rascal Reporters, consists of two musicians who between them play about a billion instruments. Musically however we are talking about an entirely different ball game....

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(Posted by Mike Ezzo 1997-02-01)

Various Artists - Ambience Is Where You Find It

Perhaps that is true, but I can't say I found it anywhere here; neither of the old variety nor the new. Four names appear on this compilation, none of which I know: Urban Ambience, Emile...

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(Posted by Mike Ezzo 1997-02-01)

Various Artists - Camel Tribute - Harbour of Joy

Add this to the alarmingly long list of tribute albums that have cropped up so fashionably over the last year or so. If you've paid any attention to the tide of tributes, you'll find a...

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(Posted by Dan Casey 1997-02-01)

Various Artists - Eyesore: A Stab at the Residents

The Residents were, and still are, a band that is truly one of a kind. They were experimenting with sound fragments and executing twisted parodies of countless musical styles as far back as 1973,...

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(Posted by Steve Robey 1997-02-01)

Various Artists - Steinway to Heaven

Yup. A full album of rock keyboard gods performing straight ahead (almost) classical pieces on piano, totally solo, sink or swim. Indeed this is proof positive that the likes of Emerson, Wakeman,...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Various Artists - Supernatural Fairy Tales

Who woulda thought... I mean, for a semi-major label to release this five disc celebration of Progressive Rock's early history and heyday is something that I would have given about the same...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Via Lumini - Vôos e Sonhos

This was the last Progressive Rock Worldwide release to appear in LP format, and as of yet has not been reissued on CD. Unlike the

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(Posted by Mike Ohman 1997-02-01)

Via Lumini - What Have We Done About Us?

For their long-anticipated second album, the band took what may appear to some as a step backward, not forward, with the addition of Hammond B3 organ to the keyboard arsenal (and it gets a...

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(Posted by Mike Ohman 1997-02-01)

Vietgrove - Orbis Tertius

Vietgrove is the British duo of Norman Fay (synths, programming, and 12 string guitar) and Mark Bailey (electric guitar), with guest guitarist LJ Callaghan on a couple tracks. Their sound is a...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Volaré - Volaré

Volare are a five piece from Athens, Georgia, featuring multi-keyboards, acoustic and electric guitars, bass+sax, cello+ocarina, and drums. Prior to their performance at Louisville's Eclectic...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

XII Alfonso - The Lost Frontier

It's unclear from the booklet notes what actually constitutes the band proper, but it seems to be centered around two brothers François and Philippe Claerhout, on keyboard programming...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Xixxo - Down the World

This five-piece from Massachusetts might be familiar to some who saw them open for Gong on their recent swing through New England. At the center of their sound are the soulful vocals of Lizzette...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Yes - Keys to Ascension

Yes fans arrived from the furthest corners of the U.S. and on the night of March 5 this formation of Yes hit the stage for the first time in 17 years. Over three nights the band performed a set of...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

Yontz Sucre - Electric Jam

After a 38-second ambient intro that slowly morphs into feedback, North Carolina guitarist Yontz Sucre launches into the first of several smokin' guitar instrumentals that grace this, his debut...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)

You and I - You and I

I would assume that this eponymously titled release is the debut effort from this Hungarian quartet. The music on these seven tracks ranges in style from symphonic to Celtic-folk, featuring female...

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(Posted by Paul Hightower 1997-02-01)

Yun - Mobius Strip

Yun is essentially Korean multi-instrumentalist Jo Yun on guitars, keyboards, and percussion, with a male and female vocalist, and bassist Hyoung-Suk Kang. While other 'progressive'...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1997-02-01)