EZHEVIKA FIELDS

Horton - Dancehall for Midgets (1976)

For 1976 this was certainly an odd album - in fact I wouldn't be surprised to see it date back to 1971 or earlier. The band consists of maestro Bill Horton on guitar and a couple of his friends handling bass and drums. Being a private release (and quite a legendary album among psych collectors), "Dancehall For Midgets" has that familiar raw and unpolished sound, which is so characteristic of low-budget hard-rock obscurities - however, unlike most albums of the genre, Horton isn't too keen on simplistic three-chord riffs and 4/4 rhythms. Instead, their brand heavy rock is stuffed with weird Beefheart-ian psychedelicacy - and since the band obviously had a knack for free-form jamming, the album often sounds almost like an outsider's take on "Trout Mask Replica”. Rambling, unstructured guitar improvs is what it's all about - add a healthy dose of expressive vocals (Mr. Horton obviously wasn't afraid of singing out of tune), and you'll probably get the full picture. Sure, the 1976 album couldn't be all like this, so be prepared for a couple of fairly conventional heavy-blues-rock numbers as well - good thing is that they are very few and far between, hence they don't spoil the impression. Overall this is quite a unique and unparalleled document of America's 1970s rock underground. Was it successful or not - please decide for yourself. By Lev Gankine Gnosis2000

Le Groupe X - Frrrrrigidaire (1973)

Interesting, and very obscure, Italian band with 2 albums. Frrrrrigidaire is unique in the annals of the vast Italian progressive rock scene. Instrumental, jazzy and at times even a lounge sound pervades. The album is a fun listen and I can imagine being a minor hit with the those that engage in the Retro-club lounge scene or those that seek out albums that would make a great soundtrack to 70's films. Hardly an essential item but still worth a spin and can be considered a good nightcap type of album. By ashratom

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Stonepillow - Eleazar's Circus (1969)

Originally released 1969 in the US on London. Great pop psych

Boule de Son - Just'en passant... (1975)

Beautiful Cano/Troisieme Rive like private release.

Sylvie Granger / vocals

Daniel Lepage / piano, vocals

Pierre Moisan / Bass

Jean-Luc Etheier / recorder

Jean-Jacques Bourdeau / guitars

Denis Toupin / / drums

A1 Arc-en-ciel 3:00

A2 Just'en passant 0:40

A3 Voler en rond 3:10

A4 Réveil 4:00

A5 Levez les yeux 4:50

B1 Le temps est venu 4:30

B2 Galarneau 3:10

B3 Inconnue 2:50

B4 Apprendre à prendre 6:00

B5 Des choses à dire 2:00

review at ProgQuebec

Friday, August 26, 2011

Silüetler - Silüetler (1967)

"Siluetler was probably the biggest rock'n roll attraction in Turkey in the 1960's after Gökçen Kaynatan's band (whom they were actually an offshout of). Led by the talented young guitarist Mesut Aytunca, the band took Turkish Rock'n'roll out of the identity crisis, producing the first real examples of Turkish Rock music blending traditional music with rock. Tragically Aytunca was strangled to death (in extremely sordid circumstances) in 1976." Gökhan Aya, Jay Dobis

-Many of the songs remind very much at The Shadows.- Various of the songs are even too ? much in this English Shadows style without much Turkish crossover influence left .

I wondered if Siluetler meant Shadows..so I asked about it, and did recieve this answer :

"Siluetler is Turkish for 'silhouette'. Gölgeler would be shadows. But the name is clearly derived from The Shadows. When I first heard Kak Oyunu oddly referred to as Kak Havas on your site I smiled at the name reference, since the lead guitar could have been being played by Hank Marvin himself. It's a great recording."

PS. "The Shadows were known as The Drifters until the original American Drifters threatened legal action. I believe it was meant to mean that they were Cliff Richard's shadows.)" Can Altinbay

"Well, we can call them "Turkish SHADOWS", mostly instrumental composes, with beautiful guitars. The band's guitarist Mesut Aytunca was playing "Hank Marvin" style.

Siluetler means "Silhouettes" Really beautiful guitars, for the 60's period of Turkey. Face A of this single is the final song of 1965 Altin Mikrofon Song Contest.

About most known single :

"Kasik Havasi" is a well known Turkish music, performed by guitars playing beat & rock sound. One of the early samples of Turkish traditional music in west sound.

"Sis" (The Fog) is a Siluetler adaptation, seems like "The Shadows"' slow composes. " Guner

Taken from here

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Renhjärta - Glitt-Glitt (1971)

Lasse Hoflund (vocals, guitar), Stenne Moberg (guitar), Ulf Wallander (saxophone), Cary Wihma (bass), Tjomple Johansson (drums)

This progressive band from Uppsala recorded one highly sought after album of self-penned instrumental tracks. There are also four covers sung in English, including a version of "My Friend" by Jimi Hendrix. The album was released on California label, home to fellow Uppsala band San Michael's. Cary Wihma went on to join Panta Rei, while Ulf Wallander was later in
Ramlösa Kvällar and Arbete & Fritid. Taken from Tobias Petterson's & Ulf Henningsson's "The Encyclopedia of Swedish Progressive Music 1967-1979" (c) 2007 Premium Publishing More details about the book here (sold out)

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Kjol - Take it on (1979)

Obscure and underrated jazz rock from Germany, private press issued in 1979.

Many thanks to KC! Rare Prog Blog publications

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Firma 33 - Se Först (1978)

Nimm Fünf / Der Herr Im Haus / Stille Nacht? / An Sich Bin Ich Ganz Friedlich / Flugversuch / Alleine / Agrippa, Das Schwein / Liebes Lied / Abscheid

LP Triangel 0331 (1979)

Berlin country "Lieder" rock?! Well, that was our impression based on the "Vor 10 Jahren" track, for which they were promptly dumped in the "Rejects & Misfits" section in the book version of "The Crack In The Cosmic Egg".

More recently though, I found a report on the album SE FÖRST that said "progressive jazzrock with underground flair, typical Krautrock fusion riffs, freaky reefer comedy lyrics, brilliant guitar and brass, groovy Guru Guru vibes..." and another report says "one of the best German private pressings for sure. Like a mix of Kraan, Guru Guru and the Danish band Dr. Dopo Jam. Excellent!" - and extraordinarily both these descriptions are pretty close, except the "excellent" as I'd say that Firma 33's twist on the eccentric Zappa inspired style is very much an acquired taste! Taken from "The Crack in the Cosmic Egg CD-Rom Edition

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Entrance - The Pond (1983)

Unknown and underrated psych prog from Germany with jazz and Canterbury influences, issued on a small label in 1983.

Many thanks to KC! Rare Prog Blog publications

Windy Corner - The House at Windy Corner (1973)

"The House at Windy Corner" is one of the most sought after and expensive albums in the world, with copies known to fetch four figures. Windy Corner play a delicate and sparse folk rock with acoustic guitar, organ and dreamy vocals.

Friday, December 31, 2010

Cannock - Waiting for the Night (1980)

Obscure interesting psych prog from Germany, female vocals, private press issued in 1980

Many thanks to KC! Rare Prog Blog publications

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Ar Skloferien - Folk Celtique (1973)

French Celtic folk group from Nantes with male/female vocals, violin. Pre Sklof. In the ancient tradition of the popular Breton bards, Ar Skloferien intend to contribute to the evolution of Celtic music, using instruments such as violins, flutes, guitars, banjos, bass, mandolin.

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Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Oratorium - Oratorium (1972)

One of the best hidden treasures of German early 1970s psych Krautrock private pressings! The only LP from this young 6-piece group (3 brothers and friends) from Hof (Bavaria), 9 great songs full of haunting melodies, swirling, wailing Farfisa organ, guitars, sparkling piano, bass and drums, and - in opposite to most other private Krautrock LPs - superb vocals. The dark echo-ey / reverb-laden sound sometimes reminds me of Mary Butterworth and gives this LP this particular spine-chilling, goosepimples-producing feeling of those magnificent 1960s psych-garage ballads. By lyrkoss

Sounds more like a 1968 era American garage psych album, than anything typically coming from Germany circa 1972. Excepting the semi-narrated vocals in German of course. Somewhat like Ainigma's "Diluvium", but a better reference is some of the 45's coming from the German underground as featured on Garden of Delight's "Psychedelic Gems" series. Straightforward rock n roll songs, with Farfisa organ, slightly fuzzy guitars, echoed piano and a lot of vocals. A very unusual sound for Germany, so I can understand the collector appeal. Taken from here

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Monday, November 29, 2010

Rontheo - Rontheo (1976)

The name of this group comes from the first components blocks: RONNIE DI TOMASO (guitar, voice) and THEO BUSCH (violin, percussions). With their friend YEDZ they recorded this good LP in Germany in 1976... it's fresh folk rock, sung in English, and as usual many sellers consider it as psychedelic folk rock (maybe to sell it at a better price), anyway this is another little jewel coming from Germany and its value is growing day by day (400 US Dollars)... the gatefold cover is also great with a beautiful fantasy design... [www.celononcelo.com/rontheoen.html] Taken from here

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Sunday, November 28, 2010

Syphax - Syphax (1978)

Algerian outfist recorded this jewel in France, psych prog with jazzy and ethnic influences, private press issued in 1978

Many thanks to KC! Rare Prog Blog publications

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G.L. Unit - Orangutang! (1969)

This experimental big band was lead by Gunnar Lindqvist and featured a huge cast of improvising musicians. Among jazz stars like Bernt Rosengren and Maffy Falay? we also find prominent Movement musicians like Ove Karlsson, Torsten Eckerman, Roland Keijser, Bosse Skoglund, Bengt Berger (all five of whom were in Arbete & Fritid)., Allan Olsson and Sune Spangerberg (both of Iskra) and Gunnar Bergsten (Flasket Brinner). The influence of G.L. Unit showed up in the music of later groups like Forkladd Gud, Lokomotiv Konkret and Iskra. Gunnar Lindqvist were also the producer for EMI acts Solar Plexus, Panta Rei, Energy and Storm. Taken from Tobias Petterson's & Ulf Henningsson's "The Encyclopedia of Swedish Progressive Music 1967-1979" (c) 2007 Premium Publishing More details about the book here (sold out)

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Kaleidoskop - Kaleidoskop (1974)

Look And Smile / Being Twice, Can You Decide? / Those Stagge's Nights / Compos. Intern. / Long Way / Einstand / Stranger Blue / Remember Those Lines

LP Ton Cooperative Hannover TCH 0002 (1974)

Günter Blendermann (bass), Peter Burkhold (saxophone), Ulrich Framke (saxophone, clarinet), Wolfgang Schmeer (saxophone, flute), Dietmar Schmidt (drums, percussion), Wolfgang Schmidt (organ, electric piano, steel guitar)

A band with their roots in Bremen/Hannover, going back to the 1960's. It was reputedly "extraordinary soul jazz rock album with great grooves and charming careless playing" according to one source - which turned out to be not too far off the mark. Kaleidoskop played a richly textured jazz-prog that was actually quite dated for 1974, with lots of winds, and 90% instrumental, with hints of Nucleus, Xhol and Zappa/Mothers styles, but less experimental and a touch cheesy in some of the jazz breaks. The song in "Stranger Blue" takes the sound Emergency territory.

After a change in style, and a shake-up in line-up, 7 years later they resurfaced as Kaleidoskop Band. Taken from The Crack In The Cosmic Egg

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Thursday, November 25, 2010

Prisma - Phantasma (1977)

Never before released heavy progressive krautrock from RED LOUNGE's hometown Karlsruhe, recorded in 1977. Superb electric guitar leads, over the top keyboards/hammond organ, bass, drums and great lead vocals in English. Very complex and profilic musicianship in the best Italian progressive rock tradition, but still with that raw krautrock private pressing feeling. Long elaborated tracks. Get strictly limited vinyl reissue at RED LOUNGE.

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Friday, November 19, 2010

Virgin's Dream - Sophisty (1980)

Virgin's Dream, on "Sophisty" at least, are very much a product of the late 70s and early 80s German fusion scene. Perhaps a bit more tropical, and funky, than most. Comparisons to Michael Borner's Sun or some of Syncrises' work wouldn't be out of line. As usual, the guitar work is exemplary, a trademark of the time and place. Taken from here

CD REISSUE WISHLIST

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Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Mustang - Born and Still Alive (1976)

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Brain Sound - An Attempt to Record Coincidence (1972)

Seriously demented stuff, suitably subtitled "An attempt to record coincidence". About as experimental as it could get in the early 1970s, and not entirely listenable, although definitely interesting if only from the "how far could that kind of experimentation reach ?!" perspective. Layers of vocals, whirlpools of reverb - this is the album that either affects you in its special crazy spiritual way, or just leaves you in disgust. Every listen is different. By Levgan

Pictured in all its tantalizing, eye-popping glory in Hans Pokora's 1001 Record Collector Dreams, this hellishly rare Austrian avant garde LP from 1972 is nothing short of astonishing. There are no instruments, but rather varying configurations of solo, duo and ensemble vocal improvisations, presumably informed by the aforementioned (and nearly impenetrable) code (or “charts”). Although this might be seen as part of an interesting continuum, this unique and prescient music will stun even the most astute followers of outsider art. Describe it, you say? Sweet Jesus! “Shape note singing for acidheads,” perhaps? From an avant-classical perspective, one might mention late 60's Penderecki as a possible reference point (along with Ligeti, or perhaps even Nono). In improvised music, the Spontaneous Music Ensemble’s larger workshop groups similarly feature masses of vocal sounds; comparisons with Alan Watts’ This Is It are as plausible as they are inevitable. Ultimately, though, nothing will quite prepare you for this LP. In fact, when an original copy landed at Nero’s Neptune headquarters, one notorious "outsider" label chief/collector extraordinaire's peni-meter became so perilously engorged that he nearly burst with envy, casting ridiculous offers of rare wax and unmentionable “favors” our way whilst begging to let him take over. In other words, we strongly recommend purchasing this limited reissue while you can and securing appropriate spiritual condiments for the trip. After all, you CAN be anyone this time around. Buy at Time Lag

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Floss - Cruisin' (1976)

A rare (and late) garage-psych group covering classics. Reputedly only 100 copies were made and therefore it's now really expensive. Taken from Vernon Joynson's book "Fuzz, Acid And Flowers"

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Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Styff Nack - Sundial (1978)

01. Dayswalk (4:57)
02. Shepherd On The Westpole (7:36)
03. Blue Flood (8:08)
04. Powerman (4:16)
05. Balance (4:34)
06. On The Roof (7:45)
07. Sundial (7:45)

An obscure progressive band of whom we know very little, except for a moderately interesting self-produced album. Definitely in the spirit of Krautrock, but with a more mellow late-70's feel, the album SUNDIAL mixed a variety of styles into a lyrical hard-rock, pepped up by many unusual touches and a psychedelic edge.

Hans-Jürgen Hofmann (vocals, pianos, organ, string ensemble, Moog, guitar), Peter Fengler (bass, bass pedals, vocals), Uwe Leicht (drums, rototoms, cymbals), Rainer Houda (guitars), Thomas Möckl (guitar). Taken from The Crack In The Cosmic Egg

Many thanks to KC! Rare Prog Blog publications

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Monday, November 15, 2010

Storm

Jan Ek (vocals, percussion), Jaques Werup (saxophone, flute, vocals), Bengt "Mulle" Holmqvist (guitar, bass, keyboards, trumpet, vocals), Christer Karlberg (guitar), Rolf Sersam (keyboards, bass, saxophone, zither, percussion, vocals), Peter Winberg (drums, vocals), Lasse Berggrensson (vocals), Percy Malmqvist (bass, vocals), Stefan Berggrensson (bass , vocals) Hakan Nyberg (drums)

Famous poet Jacques Werup formed this progressive band in Malmo in 1973. His Swedish-language lyrics on Stormvarning have a socialist message with a poetic, yet violent, touch. The band strove to make the music radical, with most of the music written by Rolf Sersam. The standout cut, "Snart Bryter Stormen Ut", was written by Werup and guitarist Mulle Holmqvist, who really shines here. Ek and Karlberg were ten replaced by Lasse Berggrensson and Percy Malmqvist? who both had played with Holmqvist in 60's band The Troublemakers. Storm At The Top saw the entire band mooning on the back cover. It featiured English-language lyrics and less experimental, but still progressive, music. EMI in London wanted Storm to have a big tour in Great Britain? but bad wages made the band decline the offer. The third and final album was released in 1977 and featured a new rhythm section? consisting of former Lotus members Stefan Berggrensson and Hakan Nyberg. Casanova i Mjölby is an excellent Swedish-language concept album. It tells an anachronistic story about Italian legend Giacomo Casanova (1725-1798) coming to a small town in Sweden in 1977 to witness society in decay. Like its predecessors? the album was co-produced by the band and Gunnar Lindqvist (G.L. Unit). The vinyl is hopused ina great sleeve by painter Bo Hulten. Despite the album being the peak of Storm's career, the band quit soon after. Werup went on to release several solo albums, often collaborating with his former Storm colleagues. Taken from Tobias Petterson's & Ulf Henningsson's "The Encyclopedia of Swedish Progressive Music 1967-1979" (c) 2007 Premium Publishing More details about the book here (sold out) Photo of the band taken from www.progg.se