Exposé Online » Issue 7

Date : July 1995
Pages : 60
Summary : Phish, Area & Demetrio Stratos, Happy Family, Hoelderlin, Vinyl Magic (Part 2), Artis/Cramps label, Lost Vinyl (Part 2), Stefan Dimle of Landberk, David Kerman of 5UU's
Items found : 170

A Beginner's Guide to 5uu's —
The Dave Kerman Interview

It certainly was a big surprise to discover that 5uu's would be playing here in Grenoble! They were one of the bands I had always dreamed of seeing on stage, even though I had kept my expectations low that I might ever see this Californian band in France. Grenoble would be their only French date of this six week European tour so we were lucky not to miss it. The "102" is used to program experimental, industrial, concrete music and underground movies. It was the only venue that could have invited a band like 5uu's over here but compared to some artists that the "102" usually features, the American quartet is nearly a pop band. Mastermind David Kerman kindly spent some time chatting with me before the gig, a perfect opportunity to get more information about a band we don't know much about.  » Read more
(Posted by Jean-Luc Putaux 1995-07-01)

A Phenomenological Phishing Expedition —
A Profile of Phish 1995

The phenomenon of Phish is a bit of an enigma. Playing music that for the most part ranges from not-particularly-commercial to wildly eclectic to seriously challenging, they are selling out large venues and even setting concert attendance records across the country. But while their fanbase has grown exponentially over the decade or so of their existence, they continue to receive little more than token mention in the music press, and what mention there is often tends to be horribly misguided and misinformed. So what is it about Phish that fans find so addictive yet critics and the music community as a whole seem to find so ungraspable?  » Read more
(Posted by Rob Walker 1995-07-01)

Kunst macht frei —
A Profile of Area

1973 was a fertile time for music and musicians. As in any period of time, there were many minds questioning the so-called conventions of music and the music industry. The time was ripe for experimentation and the combining of disparate sound and styles in ways never before imagined. However, in the early 70s in Italy, artists did not automatically consign themselves to obscurity by doing so. Area was born of a strong political commitment, largely due to the polarized, fragmented political climate in Italy. Their political message was not hidden in comfortable and familiar pop-song structures; instead they challenged the listener with music as unsettling and difficult as their radical social ideas.  » Read more
(Posted by Mike Borella 1995-07-01)

Removing Borders from Music —
The Landberk Interview 1995

Berkeley, California. In the middle of a long day of shopping for rare and unusual vinyl artifacts, we pause at a sidewalk coffee stand and catch up on the latest news of things musical and progressive from both sides of the Atlantic. Stefan Dimle is the bassist and a founding member of the Swedish band Landberk, whose latest release One Man Tell's Another is selling well and gaining respect for the band worldwide.  » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Riding the Silver Elephant —
Meet Happy Family 1995

While Sweden has taken off as a hot spot in recent years, with new young bands like Anekdoten and Änglagård which have rightfully found a lot of attention and praise from prog fans worldwide, there has been an even more vital resurgence of prog bands cropping up on the other side of the world, namely in Japan. While the new Swedish bands are heavy on the classic sounds of the 70s and are largely focused on revitalizing that approach, the most recent outbreak of Japanese talent have pursued the loftier goal of creating new, fresh, and avant-garde forms of progressive rock that combines a multitude of influences into something completely revolutionary, something completely exciting.  » Read more
(Posted by Dan Casey 1995-07-01)

Weaving a String of Dreams —
The Hoelderlin Story

Hoelderlin are not generally mentioned in the same breath as Grobschnitt, SFF, Novalis, Wallenstein, and the other leading lights of German symphonic rock, but they should be. Their brand of progressive music, while distinctly German, was unlike any of their aforementioned peers. Hoelderlin's style is altogether mellower and more pastoral, drawing influence from rock, jazz, folk and the music of the Romantic era. The result is a lyrical, melodic music distinct from anything else happening in Germany. Perhaps this is why the recent reissues have not received the attention they deserved thus far.  » Read more
(Posted by Mike Ohman 1995-07-01)

Afterglow - Yggdrasil

I know what you're thinking! Stop thinking that! This young band from Marseille — despite their name, a thirteen minute track titled "Unquiet," and a style that is squarely in the neo-progressive...  » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Aktuala - Aktuala, La Terra & Tappeto Volante

The creative forces behind Aktuala were Walter Maioli (arabic oboe, bamboo flute, naj, harmonica, piccolo, etc.) and Daniele Cavallanti (soprano and tenor sax, clarinet) who formed the band in...

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Alfredo Tisocco - Kátharsis, Ritagli d'Anima & Ballet Collection

Alfredo Tisocco's solo career apart from Opus Avantra, began in 1975 with the release of...

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Alluminogeni - Geni Mutante & Green Grapes

On the Fonit-Cetra label, Vinyl Magic reissued Scolopendra, an album from 1972 led by Patrizio Alluminio in the well-known keyboard-trio format. Gli Alluminogeni's music on that album...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1995-07-01)

Anaïd - Four Years

The hybrid French/English ensemble Anaïd may or may not still be in existence; this CD combines some tracks from their only LP Belladonna and selected material from before and after....

 » Read more
(Posted by Rob Walker 1995-07-01)

Analogy - Analogy

Analogy were a band made up of both Italian and German members, yet remained far closer stylistically to the latter. Analogy's main influence was certainly Ummagumma era Pink Floyd...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1995-07-01)

Arena - Songs from the Lion's Cage

Mick Pointer, ex-Marillion drummer leading a comeback effort after 12 years away from the music scene? No way. Well, it's true — sort of anyway. After leaving Marillion following...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike Grimes 1995-07-01)

Arti e Mestieri - Live

Arti & Mestieri's first two albums were covered in issue #2, but let me...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1995-07-01)

Ataraxia - Adolescence of an Ancient Warrior

Ataraxia were one of the more obscure of the original Made in Japan labelmates, back when they were still affiliated with the now-defunct Edison label. The band made one album in the mid-80s and...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike Ohman 1995-07-01)

Banda Elástica - Los Awakates de Nepantla

Dedicated to the memory of Frank Zappa, this Mexican RIO ensemble's superb new album is almost as reminiscent of another underappreciated influential innovator in rock music as it is of Zappa....

 » Read more
(Posted by Rob Walker 1995-07-01)

Banda Elástica - Los Awakates de Nepantla

I haven't much music coming from across the border recently. However, we are very lucky that Banda Elástica managed to record their third album before the peso crashed. Los...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike Borella 1995-07-01)

Barimar & Capricorn College - LP di Primavera

This is by far the worse album on Vinyl Magic, a collection of short songs in an undeveloped thematic pop vein. Arguably, there are some decent moments, and taken by itself it's not truly...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1995-07-01)

Barrock - Oxian

Like their name seems to imply, Barrock's music combines elements of Baroque and rock. The rock, in this case, is a modern Italian symphonic progressive sound with a clear allegiance to the...

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Barrock - Oxian

Barrock is a band I want to like very much. Their music is strongly reminiscent of classic early 70s Banco (one of my favorites), both in the fluid contrapuntal writing and creative orchestration,...

 » Read more
(Posted by Rob Walker 1995-07-01)

Barrock - Oxian

Two things should immediately give this one away: (1) it's on the SI (Sans Identity) label; and (2) the cover art featuring a mighty sea serpent, a large and fantastic castle, and a wizard king...

 » Read more
(Posted by Dan Casey 1995-07-01)

Battiato - Fetus, Pollution, Sulle Corde di Aries & Clic

Franco Battiato, as is well known, was an Italian pop singer who for a span in the 70s made a string of very experimental albums that fit in the vein of groups such as Opus Avantra or Pierrot...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1995-07-01)

Bella Band -

Smokin' hot fusion is the specialty delivered by this instrumental five-piece of keys, winds, guitar, bass, and drums from Firenze. Comparable to some other Italian jazz-rock bands like Perigeo...

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Biglietto per l'Inferno - Biglietto per l'Inferno

Like Banco and Corte dei Miracoli, Italian's Biglietto were a dual-keyboard led group although their music was a much heavier affair than either of those two bands, with a style influenced by...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1995-07-01)

Biota - Object Holder

I must admit up front that Biota has been around a lot longer than I have been tuned in to their music. My introduction, less than two years ago, was an early LP titled Horde by the...

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Biota - Object Holder

A project over two years in the making, this effort includes a huge number of musicians on 24 tracks, the most notable names being RIO staple Chris Cutler (percussion, electronics) and Susanne...

 » Read more
(Posted by Dan Casey 1995-07-01)

Biota - Object Holder

If you're looking for some music that's "out there," then Biota may be just the album for you. With a large line up that includes Chris Cutler of Henry Cow fame, Biota encompasses...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike Grimes 1995-07-01)

Birdsongs of the Mesozoic - Dancing on A'a

This is Birdsongs eighth release, and their third new album on Cuneiform. They continue to sport one of the most unique and unclassifiable styles, residing somewhere between rock, jazz, and...  » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Birdsongs of the Mesozoic - Dancing on A'a

Dancing on A'a is another outstanding release from this unique, eclectic, and virtually-impossible-to-describe ensemble. The music of Birdsongs of the Mesozoic is a bizarre and quirky...  » Read more
(Posted by Rob Walker 1995-07-01)

Birdsongs of the Mesozoic - Dancing on A'a

What started out as an arty project composed mostly of ex-members of Boston noise-band Mission of Burma seems to have become primarily the vehicle for keyboardist/composer Erik Lindgren. Lindgren...  » Read more
(Posted by Mike Ohman 1995-07-01)

Bloque - Bloque & Hombre, Tierra y Alma

There really was some great music coming out of Spain in the late 70s, and unlike a lot of their Spanish contemporaries, Bloque actually stayed together long enough to record more than one album!...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike Grimes 1995-07-01)

Bon - Full Circle - Coming Home

Though guitarist Bon Lozaga may be remembered by some for his contributions to Gong's Expresso II album, and bassist Hansford Rowe was indeed a prominent member of Pierre Moerlen's...

 » Read more
(Posted by Rob Walker 1995-07-01)

Cairo - Cairo

Having heard the Frog Pest sampler tape, I was expecting quite a bit, as Cairo's long 20 minute cut (that appears here as well) was very promising. The track was a cross between...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1995-07-01)

Canzoniere del Lazio - Miradas

Part of what makes certain 'progressive' music interesting, especially that which hails from areas outside the US and UK, is the amount of the local culture that is applied to the music...

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Carpe Diem - Cueille le Jour

Unjustifiably overlooked, Cueille de Jour is the follow-up to this quintet's monster debut — and an outstanding representation of the best that France had to offer in the seventies. Their...  » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Cast - Landing in a Serious Mind, Sounds of Imagination & Third Call

Cast is a Mexican neo-progressive band who have been together for well over a decade, performing and recording. I'm assuming that up to this point in time they have released only cassette tapes...

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Celeste - Celeste (AKA Principe di un Giorno)

Celeste's first album, also known as Principe di un Giorno, is an absolute gem, an overlooked classic that deserves a place among the best Italian releases of the classic period....

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Circus 2000 - Circus 2000 & Escape from a Box

Circus 2000 is an entirely different beast from the rest of the Vinyl Magic catalog, falling more in the psych realm than in the more classically styled progressive genre. It's not to say they...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1995-07-01)

Claudio Rocchi - A Fuoco

Although Rocchi is probably better known for his earlier material on other labels, his offering on Cramps from 1977 A Fuoco (originally Cramps CRSCD 023) is a good showcase for his own...

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Claudio Rocchi - Viaggio, Volo Magico No.1 & La Norma del Cielo

In many ways, Claudio Rocchi can be best described as the Italian Donovan – in music, lyrics and even artwork. His career that began with Stormy Six on L'Idee di Oggi per la Musica di...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1995-07-01)

Cluster - Cluster II

This is actually Cluster's fourth album, if you count the two albums for the tiny Schwann Studio label as a trio (named Kluster) with ex- Tangerine Dream member Konrad Schnitzler. The spelling change...  » Read more
(Posted by Mike Ohman 1995-07-01)

Corte dei Miracoli - Corte dei Miracoli

Another album sure to please the keyboard fanatic is this, another great one-shot from the mid 70s. Corte dei Miracoli's one album is similar in many ways to Italy's other big two-keyboard...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike Ohman 1995-07-01)

Curved Air - Midnight Wire & Airborne

The final two albums by this seminal British band, always seeming to straddle the line between many styles, have finally been brought to CD. Unlike the early albums, which were solidly committed to...

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Dalton - Riflessioni: Idea d'Infinito

Dalton were another beat group turned "progressive" in 1972, and yet another one with an adventurous bent on a well-worn style. Dalton were very similar to bands like early Metamorfosi, I...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1995-07-01)

Death Organ - 9 to 5

This is some heavy stuff! If crunchy swirling Hammond B3 at full volume through Leslie speakers — accompanied only by bass and drums — is something that might interest you, then listen up. Death...  » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Dedalus - Dedalus

Dedalus were the jazziest of the Trident groups and this, their debut, has been the only one reissued of their two albums. Dedalus were very similar to the laid back fusion of Perigeo, with spacy...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1995-07-01)

Dialog, Crystal Maze & Mad Puppet - Cry of the Hawk, Forever & King Laurin

Three recent albums by three different unrelated bands on Music Is Intelligence. All three released very promising debut albums in the early/mid-80s, these being somewhat belated follow-ups (to be...

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Dragon - Scented Gardens for the Blind

This reissue is probably shaky in the legitimacy area, getting hard to find, and has a "Japanese" price tag on it. It is also transcribed from vinyl but it's a good job and chances...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1995-07-01)

E.A.Poe - Generazioni (Storia di Sempre)

The original enthusiastic response to this reissue was based, I think, more on the extreme rarity of the original vinyl item than on anything else. Don't misunderstand, though, the music here...

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Earcandy, Mynd Muzic & T-H-C Roller - Space, Time, Imagination & a Joint

Poor Person Productions is an admittedly amateur label dedicated to psychedelic music heavily influenced by the contemporary British scene (Ozrics, Mandragora, Magic Mushroom Band, Freakbeat/...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1995-07-01)

Echolyn - As the World

First off, as promised this major-label debut (actually their third full album) is not a sell-out in any way, shape or form. Echolyn have maintained the essence of their sound as defined on the...  » Read more
(Posted by Dan Casey 1995-07-01)

Echolyn - As the World

Reviewing Echolyn's Sony debut is a chore in itself! This is definitely where words fail — are they progressive? Is it pop? Where does this fit? I'm sure this is going to be cause for many split...  » Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1995-07-01)

Echolyn - As the World

Echolyn seems to be intent on making a career walking the line between commercially acceptable album-oriented rock and something a bit more challenging. First off, As the World is much more...  » Read more
(Posted by Mike Borella 1995-07-01)

Egil Fylling - Blomar i ei Natt

On this, the fourth album by Egil Fylling, a conscious effort has been made to return a more folk based sound in this introspective, symphonic, and fairly subdued effort. The Scandinavian folk themes...  » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Empire - Back to Knowledge

Empire are another of Vinyl Magic's high tech neo groups with a strange concoction of bombastic progressive and ultra-mainstream keyboard pop. A three piece, led by keyboard maestro Edo Rogani,...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1995-07-01)

Enbor - Enbor & Katebegiak

Lost Vinyl has a knack for unearthing rare Basque rock groups. The only catch is that you have to be careful to check out what axis they fall in. For all intent and purpose, Enbor is a straight...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1995-07-01)

Errata Corrige - Siegfried, il Drago e Altre Storie

In #4 I reviewed the new reformation album by this obscure 70s group. This album was their debut in the mid-70s and is not surprisingly quite a bit different from Mappamondo. This album is...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1995-07-01)

Fifty Foot Hose - Cauldron

Here's another one of those "I never thought they'd release that on CD" reissues. San Francisco's late 60s legacy left behind a volume of obscure bands, many with...

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Finch - Beyond Expression & Galleons of Passion

The second and third albums from Dutch band Finch have recently been digitally remastered and reissued on CD, closely following the reissue of their debut album Glory of the Inner Force....

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike Grimes 1995-07-01)

Fonya - In Flux

Here's the latest offering from American multi-instrumentalist Chris Fournier, his third to date. Once again, as with the previous album Soul Travels, it's an all-instrumental excursion which...  » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Forrest Fang - Folklore

This is Forrest Fang's first album for Cuneiform, but his sixth overall. Through the years, Fang's music has gradually shifted from a more ambient/electronic music (Eno, Terry Riley) mixed with...  » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Forrest Fang - Folklore

While Fang's earlier material was more firmly based in the electronic and progressive rock genres, his recent recordings have found him delving deeper and deeper into experimentation with various...  » Read more
(Posted by Rob Walker 1995-07-01)

Franco Leprino - Integrati... Disintegrati

Although armed with an arsenal of synthesizers, Leprino's album isn't really a true electronic album in the same sense that Tangerine Dream is, but a very individual music with avant garde...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1995-07-01)

Fruitcake - How to Make It

A good first effort from this Norwegian five-piece featuring two guitarists, as well as bass, keys and drums. Vocals are handled by both keyboardist Siri Seland and drummer Pål Søvik,...

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Gandalf - To Our Children's Children

Please spare me the preachy environmental awareness lesson; few things annoy me more than socio-political cause lyrics on top of otherwise excellent music. Once upon a time Gandalf created...

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Genco Puro & Co. - Area di Servizio

1972 was the year that Genco Puro released their one and only album, the fairly rare and fairly commercial album Area di Servizio (reissued as Artis ARCD 040 in 1992) originally on the...

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Glenn Branca - The World Upside Down

While not of a nature traditionally covered by this publication, Branca's seven-movement symphony "The World Upside Down" is of some relevance simply because of his history and...

 » Read more
(Posted by Dan Casey 1995-07-01)

Gong - Camembert Eclectique

Seminal French space prog band Gong may be best known for their pioneering work in the early to mid 70s, as evidenced by the indispensable Radio Gnome Trilogy of albums: Flying...

 » Read more
(Posted by Steve Robey 1995-07-01)

Gualberto - A la Vida, al Dolor

Gualberto is Gualberto Garcia, a young guitarist and songwriter who recorded two albums in the late 70s. The first album was A la Vida, al Dolor ("To the Life - To the Pain), and...

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Gualberto - Vericuetos

If the first fifteen seconds of the opener "Luz de Invierno" don't convince you that you've made a good purchase — with the duel between violin, sitar and string-synths, then perhaps nothing will....  » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Hecenia - La Couleur du Feu

If you've ever heard Hecenia's first album, Légendes from a few years ago, with vocals, drum machines, and all, you might want to push all that out of your mind now. This...

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Heldon - Agneta Nilsson & Un Rêve Sans Conséquence Spéciale

With these two reissues over the last few months, Cuneiform have faithfully completed their exhaustive Pinhas/Heldon reissue series. While both of these albums are rightly considered transitional...

 » Read more
(Posted by Dan Casey 1995-07-01)

Hugh Hopper Band - Carousel

For the past decade bassist Hugh Hopper has played bandleader to a number of different lineups, all of which have been oriented primarily towards live gigs. Carousel finds him back in the...

 » Read more
(Posted by Rob Walker 1995-07-01)

Hugh Hopper Band - Carousel

Former Soft Machine bassist Hopper has pretty much kept a low profile throughout most of the 80s, so it's good to see him active again. His latest project is a band bearing his name, recorded...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike Ohman 1995-07-01)

I Flashmen - Cercando la Vita

At one time, the Japanese did some reissues of the Kansas label including I Gregor, Capricorn College, and the second and third albums by Italian quartet I Flashmen. To me, this was the epitome of...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1995-07-01)

I Giganti - Terra in Bocca (Poesia di un Delitto)

Like the early New Trolls, I Flashmen, and countless other Italian groups between 1967 and 1971, I Giganti were a psych/beat group attempting to break new musical boundaries. The influence of both...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1995-07-01)

I Numi - Alpha Ralpha Boulevard

Probably the only thing interesting about this album is that the cover is a photo by Nagel. Everything else is typically average beat / psych rock heavily influenced by the Beatles. Lots of short...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1995-07-01)

I Teoremi - I Teoremi

This group would have fit nicely on the Vertigo label – heavy Black Sabbath, May Blitz, and Clear Blue Sky similarities as well as Deep Purple or Uriah Heep. I Teoremi are crunchy and heavy...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1995-07-01)

Il Berlione - In 453 Minutes Infernal Cooking

One of the things I dislike about the CD revolution is the fact that many artists feel obliged to fill out at least 65 minutes of music on it, when it's obvious they don't have that many...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1995-07-01)

Il Berlione - In 453 Minutes Infernal Cooking

This new release by Il Berlione is a mosaic feast to the ears. The soundscape is quite colorful, ranging from piano and drum solos to electric and acoustic guitar duets, the works. Not all of it...

 » Read more
(Posted by Alain Lachapelle 1995-07-01)

Il Berlione - In 453 Minutes Infernal Cooking

This Japanese quintet has widened their scope a bit for this, their second regular release, bringing in some ethnic, folk and jazz elements to share the already crowded space with their fast and...

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Il Berlione - In 453 Minutes Infernal Cooking

Il Berlione's eponymous debut was a sleeper-classic of 1992. Combining fusion, heavy rock, and avant/experimental music, they've forged their own path as unclassifiable instrumentalists....

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike Borella 1995-07-01)

Il Castello di Atlante - Passo Dopo Passo

Although Il Castello only released their first proper album in 1993 (Sono il Signore delle Torre a Nord, see review in issue #3), they have actually been together continuously since the...

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

In Spe - Typewriter Concerto

This is the second album by this outstanding Estonian ensemble, probably better known as The Girl on the Beach (based on the photo on the front cover, all information on the original LP...

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Iona - Beyond These Shores

Three albums on now, Iona's latest release shows a higher degree of maturity and refinement overall. Still solidly in the Celtic folk-rock vein, they are in many ways comparable to bands like Clannad...  » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Isildurs Bane - Lost Eggs

Although they take their name directly from the Tolkien novels, don't be too quick to write this band off. Lost Eggs is a compilation of material recorded from '76 to '93, spanning the...  » Read more
(Posted by Dan Casey 1995-07-01)

Itoiz - Alkolea

As you may recall, the first self-titled Itoiz album was more of a progressive rocker, while the second Ezekiel could best be described as a rich blend of electric folk. On their third...

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Itziar - Itziar

Itziar is both a person and a band: singer Itziar Egileor and her backing group. Though the band made only one album, Itziar remain one of the best-known Basque folk-progressives. Part of...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike Ohman 1995-07-01)

Izukaitz - Otsoa Dantzan

This Basque folk group offers multi-guitars, violin, flute, tin-whistles, some keyboards, percussion and two singers (male and female), with occasional saxes and pipes. Their musical concept...

 » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Jean-Philippe Goude - Ainsi de Nous

This album is a collection of small ensemble pieces written by French composer Goude for some really interesting combinations of orchestral instruments. There are no drums, electric bass, or guitar...  » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

John St. Field - Control

This 1975 release by Scottish folkster St. Field was released only in Spain, originally on the renowned Movieplay label. I don't know if St. Field actually lived in Spain (all the musicians are...

 » Read more
(Posted by Mike Ohman 1995-07-01)

Kaipa - Solo

Kaipa's third studio album from early '78, and probably their last one of any merit, is a solid effort, instrumentally strong like the previous two, although seeming to encompass a bit more variety...  » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Kaizen - Gargula

Kleber Vogel, ex-Quaterna Requiem violin player, is all over with his expressive violin playing, be it acoustic, electric or MIDIfied. He wrote all compositions, except one he co-wrote with bass...

 » Read more
(Posted by Alan K. Lipton 1995-07-01)

Kaos Moon - After the Storm

Canadian band Kaos Moon, under the direction of vocalist/keyboardist/songwriter Bernard Ouellette, has a lot in common with other prog/pop bands of today. Their music has a sound reminiscent of...  » Read more
(Posted by Mike Grimes 1995-07-01)

Kit Watkins - Holographic Tapestries

Watkins' latest effort is an interesting one. The album is divided into two sets. The odd numbered tracks are "introspective" in style with little or no rhythm section, and keyboards are primarily...  » Read more
(Posted by Mike Grimes 1995-07-01)

Kit Watkins - Holographic Tapestries

Since his days with Happy The Man and Camel, Watkins' solo career has been anything but a predictable journey, venturing into ambient soundscapes, soothing impressionistic sorties, programmed...  » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Kit Watkins - Holographic Tapestries

Kit Watkins' newest effort is one of those CDs created so that the tracks can be played in different orders. Watkins suggests besides playing it all the way through you can also program your player...  » Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1995-07-01)

Klaus Schulze - Historic Edition

It's getting expensive to be a Klaus Schulze fan these days, especially having this released so soon after the monumental Silver Edition. This new 10 CD set is a retrospective of his more...

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(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1995-07-01)

Koenjihyakkei - Hundred Sights of Koenji

The latest entry from the ever-growing Japanese zeuhl scene is Koenji Hyakkei, a four piece of guitar, bass, drums, and keyboards, with male and female voice. Their sound lies firmly along the...  » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Kornelyans - Not an Ordinary Life

Quite rightly hailed as a minor classic, this Yugoslavian band led by keys-man Kornell Kovach (originally called Korni Grupa on earlier albums) became heavily influenced by the early 70s Italian...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

La Pentola di Papin - Zero-7

This obscure band released this album in 1977, but you wouldn't guess it from listening to it as it's in the beat classical rock vein that are a good portion of Vinyl Magic's roster,...

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(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1995-07-01)

Lands End - Pacific Coast Highway

With a sound about midway between the pop side of the SI camp and the colorful and intense melodics of the Edhels/Mind Gallery school — perhaps with a bit of the Windham Hill sound thrown in, this...  » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Lars Stroschen / Jörg Thomasius / André Ruschkowski - Tonart Vier

Vier is the fourth and latest chapter of avant garde electronic experimentation from Tonart. Tonart began in 1992 as the collaborative efforts of Conrad Schnitzler, Lars Stroschen, and Jörg...  » Read more
(Posted by Henry Schneider 1995-07-01)

Lives & Times - The Great Sad Happy Ending

What remains to be said about Lives and Times? Their style has not changed markedly since their last release Waiting for the Parade less than a year ago (  » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Luciano Basso - Voci

Languishing in obscurity for a decade and a half, Vinyl Magic did well to reissue this near-classic by keyboardist Luciano Basso. With a six-piece lineup also featuring violin, drums, electric...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Lucio Fabbri - Amarena

Fabbri is probably best known for his tenure as violinist with PFM in their post-Passpartù period, and with Claudio Rocchi, and also for some of the work he's done with Demetrio...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Magellan - Impending Ascension

The title of this album neatly fits this group in a certain genre that often verges on a pretentious, overly technical "prog rock" – music somewhere between Rush, Pendragon, Dream...

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(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1995-07-01)

Maneige - Ni Vent... Ni Nouvelle & Libre Service

Of all the Quebecois bands that came to prominence in the 70s, one of the most unique and universally appreciated is Maneige. During their career which spanned from around '72 through the mid...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Marco Antônio Araújo - Four Reissues

Marco Antônio Araújo was an accomplished Brazilian cellist/acoustic guitarist, much inspired by classical music. What strikes me in Araújo's work is the seemingly intemporal...

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(Posted by Alan K. Lipton 1995-07-01)

Mastermind - III - Tragic Symphony

Upon first hearing "Tiger! Tiger!" (a neo-prog/hard-rock adaptation of the famous William Blake poem and the first song on the album), I didn't have high hopes for the rest of the...

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(Posted by Mike Ohman 1995-07-01)

Mastermind - III - Tragic Symphony

Mastermind's third album is the first to see release on a major label. Mastermind are Bill and Rich Berends (brothers from New Jersey) who continue on in Volume III much as they did...

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(Posted by Dan Casey 1995-07-01)

Mastermind - III - Tragic Symphony

Ever wonder what happened to progressive rock? Especially the rock part? Wonder no more. Mastermind has returned with a third album that is every bit as potent as one might expect after...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Metamorfosi - ...E Fu il Sesto Giorno & Inferno

Metamorfosi were more or less a keyboard oriented trio with the addition of a lead vocalist. Their debut album was a very 60s psych/beat album with progressive touches – an overblown concept...

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(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1995-07-01)

Mike Keneally - Boil That Dust Speck

Mike Keneally's first album (entitled hat, released in 1992) was an eclectic mix of humor, musicianship, and rock-n-roll. This former Zappa stunt guitarist can shred with the best of...

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(Posted by Mike Borella 1995-07-01)

Mike Keneally - Boil That Dust Speck

In a genre dominated by long tracks, fantastical lyrical content and a far too serious posture, it's nice to see someone go against the grain. Keneally has put together an album that has 30...

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(Posted by Mike Grimes 1995-07-01)

Mike Keneally - Boil That Dust Speck

Having made his solo debut in 1992 with the fantastic Hat, Mike Keneally returns with his second album of bizarre and unique musical entertainment. A member of Frank Zappa's '88...

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(Posted by Rob Walker 1995-07-01)

Museo Rosenbach - Zarathustra

Although this Korean release is the fourth reissue of this album, its tenuous distribution still means that this, possibly the greatest Italian symphonic rock album of all time will still remain hard...  » Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1995-07-01)

Network (Groon) - Refusal to Comply

Guitar, bass, and drums. Groon is a three-piece instrumental outfit from the UK with a grungy free-wheeling style that owes as much allegiance to jazz and fusion as it does to rock. You might...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Next - The Virtual Cage

Next is Ricky Mazza who controls all of the keys, drums, programming and any combination of those three. He is joined by guests on sax and guitar on this, his debut album. Next is in the vein of...

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(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1995-07-01)

Nova - Blink

This was reviewed in #1 and certainly deserves second mention. Nova were the most well known offshoot of Osanna and Cervello and this, their debut was by far their best. Later albums include...

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(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1995-07-01)

Nuova Idea - In the Beginning

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...

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(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1995-07-01)

O Terço - Criaturas da Noite & Casa Encantada

O Terço are a Brazilian rock group that I've always found to be overrated. They suffer from being unclassifiable, and therefore, like many bands are given the label...

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(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1995-07-01)

Odissea - Odissea

For 1973, Odissea's sole album was far surpassed in innovation, and the collection of shorter songs here seems fairly dated. Regardless, there are some nice moments – symphonic flights...

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(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1995-07-01)

Óðmenn - Óðmenn

These days there are basically two ways of finding out about long-forgotten progressive artifacts (well, three if you count good old fashioned word of mouth): magazines / fanzines / newsletters...

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(Posted by Jim Hresko 1995-07-01)

Opus Avantra - Introspezione, Lord Cromwell & Strata

Led by composer/keyboardist Alfredo Tisocco, and fronted by vocalist Donella del Monaco, Opus Avantra – much like their name might imply, offers a music based in avant-garde classicism mixed...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Osage Tribe - Arrow Head

The Osage Tribe were practically a super group in the annals of Italian history, fitting somewhere between I Gleemen (pre-album) and Duello Madre or Il Volo. Being on Bla Bla records naturally ties...

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(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1995-07-01)

Pablo "El Enterrador" - Pablo "El Enterrador"

Argentina, 1979. In the middle of the military oppression (1976-1983) there was a band that went by the name of Pablo "El Enterrador." Paul was a gravedigger in a dissident cemetery in...

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(Posted by Alan K. Lipton 1995-07-01)

Panna Freda - Uno

Vinyl Magic's first CD was a great pick – the very obscure and dreadfully underrated Panna Fredda. One of the most refined bands in Italian progressive, Panna Fredda are certainly a hard...

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(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1995-07-01)

Patrick Broguière - Brocéliande

Another complete surprise from the folks at Musea! Broguière is a young composer and musician from Paris, and Brocéliande is his debut album — a very strong entry for a new musician who...  » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Pholas Dactylus - Concerto delle Menti

Originally on the Magma label, Pholas Dactylus recorded one album with two side-long suites called Concerto delle Menti. Obviously a concept of some sort, my Italian is much too shabby to...

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(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1995-07-01)

Pierrot Lunaire - Gudrun

Of the avant-progressive scene in Italy – i.e. Opus Avantra, Alfredo Tisocco, Franco Battiato and many others – Pierrot Lunaire's second has to rate as one of the very best....

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(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1995-07-01)

Planetarium - Infinity

Or is it Infinity – Planetarium? Most sources go with Planetarium being the group yet Vinyl Magic seems to have this listed as Infinity. Either way, this group is certainly lucky to...

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(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1995-07-01)

Pneuma - Psychabuse

A repetitive pattern recalling the spirit of "Tubular Bells" introduces the listener, continuing long after its worn out it's welcome, creating a nervous tension – nothing could...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Procession - Frontiera

Processions are another in the tangled Italian family tree, being related to Raccomandata con Ricevuta di Ritorno and others. This album was their first and best of two (Fiaba was reissued...

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(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1995-07-01)

Ragnarok - Nooks

Belle Antique released this some time ago in the days when Japanese distribution was much more expensive and less widespread. It's a vinyl transcription of the second album by the New Zealand...

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(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1995-07-01)

Richard Pinhas & John Livengood - Cyborg Sally

It's been quite a while since Pinhas has offered up some new material. This time around he has teamed up with John Livengood who injects some complementary synths/guitars/programming for this varied...  » Read more
(Posted by Dan Casey 1995-07-01)

Robert Dick - Third Stone from the Sun

Robert Dick is probably the world's leading proponent of avant-garde flute techniques. His recordings and teachings, including the well-known The Other Flute have opened up literally a whole...  » Read more
(Posted by Rob Walker 1995-07-01)

Robert Rich & Lisa Moskow - Yearning

Rich's various sonic collaborations have taken another detour into new territory on this, his first album length collaboration with sarod player Lisa Moskow. From the huge soundscapes on his early...  » Read more
(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1995-07-01)

Roberto Ciotti - Super Gasoline Blues

Even further from what might be called the typical Artis/Cramps experimental/ progressive sound, here we have Roberto Ciotti, a blues guitarist/singer in a three-piece g/b/d format. His album...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Romantic Warriors, Tower & Secret Cinema

These titles are all combined as these are all projects either including Beppe Crovella or being one of his projects. Crovella was Arti e Mestieri's keyboard player and is the resident producer...

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(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1995-07-01)

Rousseau - Square the Circle

This is the third album by this German six-piece, probably better known for their first album Flower in Asphalt, with which they developed a reputation of being essentially a decent Camel...  » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Ruins - Graviyaunosch

Ruins is a contemporary Japanese band that represents the harsh, aggressive side of zeuhl music. They are compared equally often with Magma and the hardcore band The Boredomes - that should give you...  » Read more
(Posted by Steve Robey 1995-07-01)

S/T - Catatonic Airkraut

The spirit of the original German space rock "untirirdisch" lives on in the musik of S/T. This 10" mini-klassik of neo-psychedelic, space rock flashes back to the early days of Amon...

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(Posted by Archie Patterson 1995-07-01)

Sahara - Sunrise & For All the Clowns

Formed from the ashes of Subject Esq., Sahara got lost among the mass of other mid-70s German prog groups (Grobschnitt, Novalis, SFF, et al.) in spite of their good distribution, though they didn't...

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(Posted by Mike Ohman 1995-07-01)

Semiramis - Dedicato a Frazz

Originally released on the rare Trident label, Semiramis have a very high reputation, and with good reason – their only album is a superb classic, and one of the most essential of the 70s...

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(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1995-07-01)

Sincronia - Odisea del Tiempo Eterno

I'm not much for programmed synths and drums in a classical rock/symphonic format, and there seems to be a lot of these coming out. Our dear Editor requested that I review this album with full...

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(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1995-07-01)

Stormy Six - L'Idee di Oggi per la Musica Domani & L'Unità

Stormy Six are perhaps better known for their involvement with Rock In Opposition in the late 70s and early 80s. Their later output such as Al Volo were interesting pop rock albums with an...

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(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1995-07-01)

Sverre Knut Johansen - Distant Shore

Norwegian multi-instrumentalist and composer Johansen builds lush symphonic soundscapes of the highest order, rich in melodics, well developed and skillfully arranged. There is an ever-changing...  » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Syndone - Inca

I reviewed Spleen in the New Italian article some issues back. Inca is the dual keyboard follow up to Spleen and is a big step up in terms of vision and quality. My...

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(Posted by Mike McLatchey 1995-07-01)

Tea in the Sahara - Behind the Door

On the superior German counterpart to SI, WMMS, comes this debut album of six long cuts by the German four-piece known as Tea in the Sahara. It is immediately apparent that this is not your...

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(Posted by Dan Casey 1995-07-01)

The Coenobite - My Habit

The Coenobite, besides being a clever variant on the hideous demon from Clive Barker's novella "The Hellbound Heart," is the one-man project of Dutchman Coen Vrouwenvelder. Primarily...

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(Posted by Dan Casey 1995-07-01)

The Enid - Tripping the Light Fantastic

The world’s premier symphonic group is reborn. With the release of this album, Robert John Godfrey opens up the third chapter in the now over twenty-year history of one of England’s...

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(Posted by Mike Ezzo 1995-07-01)

The Other Side - In the Shadows

This Seattle area four-piece has a style that straddles genres, and yet doesn't seem to owe allegiance to any, in the end meaning that they are never quite what they seem to be, regardless of which...  » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

The Storm - The Storm

Good old hard rock with Hammond! The Storm was a Spanish four-piece from the early 70s, playing in a style similar to many of their British counterparts of a few years earlier – singing their...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

The Trip - Time of Change

Another one from the Trident label. In the early 70s The Trip produced three fairly unremarkable albums as a four-piece led by guitarist/singer Billy Gray. After the 1972 album Atlantide,...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Timothy Pure - The Fabric of Betrayal

It's refreshing to hear new bands that sound like they've never heard a Marillion record in their life, in fact in the case of Atlanta's Timothy Pure, my impression is that they may be strangers to...  » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Triade - 1998: Storia di Sabazio

Occasionally hailed as a classic, I for one don't see what the big deal is. Triade were one of numerous keyboard-based trios that proliferated in Italy in the early 70s. The sound was based...

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(Posted by Mike Ohman 1995-07-01)

Various Artists - 70 Minutes de Rock Progressif Français pour 30 Balles

OK, here's the deal: Musea has collected thirteen tracks of symphonic progressive rock sung in French, and put it on this low price (70 Francs) sampler CD. If you've been hesitating to take...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Various Artists - Caged / Uncaged - A Rock / Experimental Homage to John Cage

Produced by John Cale, Caged / Uncaged was created as the 'soundtrack' for the exhibition "Il Suono Rapido delle Cose" in Venice in 1993, and is – as the subtitle...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Various Artists - Lost Years in Labyrinth II

Remember Lost Years in Labyrinth? It featured material by four Japanese Canterbury-ish/Chamber Rock bands — Lacrymosa, Il Berlione, Zypressen, and Soft Weed Factor. OK, now forget...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Various Artists - Neu Konservatiw

I understand that God Mountain doesn't want to become known as a progressive rock label... but with non-album tracks included by bands like Tipographica and Koenji Hyakkei, as well as several...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Various Artists - Pioggia nel Deserto

There is a whole branch of Artis' output that we won't go into here, suffice to sat that the compilation Pioggia nel Deserto, which showcases tracks by eight different artists,...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Various Artists - Riddle of Lumen

From the dark abrasive regions of cement and steel, where rock meets noise in an industrial apocalyptic nightmare, comes the first CD from the Japanese FMN Tape label... I suppose this means that...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Various Artists - Tarzan Compilation

Originally on the Bla-Bla label from 1972, the Tarzan Compilation features eleven short tracks by four bands: Capsicum Red, Wells Fargo, Black Sunday Flowers, and Osage Tribe. Two of these...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Venegoni & Co. - Rumore Rosso

Arti e Mestieri's original guitarist, Gigi Venegoni put his own band together and released two albums in '77 and '79, both on the Cramps Label. The first of these was Rumore...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Venegoni & Co. - Sarabanda

The second Venegoni album, Sarabanda, continues onward from the first, perhaps replacing some of the experimentalism with refinement, and some of the subtlety with a willingness to rock....

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Walter Wegmüller - Tarot

From 1968 to 1974 the Swiss Gypsy Walter Wegmüller and Austrian writer and story-teller Sergius Golowin traveled Europe in search of gypsy legends. In 1973 they collaborated on a series of...

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(Posted by Archie Patterson 1995-07-01)

White Willow - Ignis Fatuus

This one was worth the wait! This new band from Norway plays a rich blend of folk and symphonic rock, sprinkled with a generous helping of classical influence. Fronted by the gorgeous female voice of...  » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Zaragon - No Return

At some point in the past I had heard this obscure Danish five-piece compared with IQ. In fact, after finally hearing it, that assessment seems to be quite inaccurate. Yes, there are some...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)

Zauber - Il Sogno (AKA Zauber)

Here is another rarity from the vaults. Zauber was a five-piece who produced only this single album in the late seventies, until their recent reformation (see Mike's New Italian article in...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 1995-07-01)