Albrecht D - Endless Music (1974)

B.M.A.R A01-03albrecht/d. / endless music / stuttgart 73/74 germanyperforming: albrecht/d. (tabla, cymbal, stringinstruments), bernd jaiser (background vocal), grit backer (voc), axel knipschild (background music), thomas niggl (fl)cover: one-color print, part of the issue two-color print on grey cardboard.
no: there is not too much information on albrecht/d. to be found on the net. when you google for him: you will mostly find albrecht dürer: and of course there is a connection: as an instant performance and as a contribution to the albrecht dürer jubilee in 1971 dietrich albrecht changed his real name officially to albrecht/d.a/d. was born in 1944,lives in stuttgart/germany since 1958and acts like an artist since 1966.he worked and performed with beuys, throbbing gristle, vostell, paik, saree and many more.he invented permanent instant performance.he saved raoul hausmann from being forgotten.his work includes:mail art: endless music: processed copies: exhibitions: installations: concerts: stamps:art into society: instant life / love / death: kinky beaux arts: abstract energy: violence permanent:in 1979 he was part of the stuttgart punk & art posse:the young common time punks hated him for being an artist:but he inspired a lot of thee art core noise explorers.

cosey fanni tutti, genesis p-orridge & chris carter in 1974/1975 were c.o.u.m. transmutating into throbbing gristle.albrecht/d. lived and performed with them in their death factory in London.

More info at Albrecht D home page


Included into highly acclaimed NWW list

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Abwarts - Beirut, Holiday Inn (1982)

Classic staff form this cult NDW band. More information at Abwarts home page
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Sperm - Shh! (1970)

Sperm was the biggest name of Helsinki underground, having in its line-up among all Mattijuhani Koponen, P.Y. Hiltunen, Antero Helander, J.O. Mallander, Markus Heikkerц and the musical primus motor Pekka Airaksinen. The group arranged happenings, performances and concerts (with appropriate psychedelic light shows); and managed to cause some debate and public outrage at the time in Finland. Sperm created their experimental compositions using only various guitar effects and tape manipulations; the results of which could these days be called "ambient noise". Taken from FinnScene

Included into highly acclaimed NWW list

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Gnags - Pa Vej (1973)

Great album by Danish band

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November - En Ny Tid är Här... (1970) & 2:a November(1971)

Reissue of November's legendary first two albums on one compact disc. These guys are known for serving up top notch killer Swedish heavy progressive blues power rock.

En Ny Tid Ar Har - Classic debut album by this Swedish power blues rock trio from 1970 who later also gave birth to the amazing Saga. Lots of ripping guitar work inspired by Cream, Led Zep, Sabbath etc. Songs are sung in a characteristic Swedish rock style. One of the best Scandinavian heavy progressive rock albums.
2:a - Second album by this Swedish heavy rock band released in 1971. More power filled blues rock produced by Geog Wadenius (Made In Sweden). A greater range of music is on offer compared to their debut release and this is overall a heavier affair but with some softer piano sections and melancholic vocals. Great band.



Freak Emporium

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Franco Battiato - Pollution (1972)

This is probably the most “easy and accessible” album of Franco Battiato’s “prog period”…

The first side of this LP is a kind of “suite” with all the tracks bound to each other… “Il silenzio del rumore” (The silence of the noise) begins with the echoes of a waltz in “Strauss style”, then comes Battiato’s recitative voice “… Ti sei mai chiesto / Quale funzione hai? = … Have you ever been wondering / What is your function?”… Then a “percussive” rhythm guitar and a church organ lead to the sonic explosion of “31 dicembre 1999 – ore 9”… Then the keyboards introduce the theme of “Areknames”, that goes on with strange vocals and “experimental” lyrics (written in “reverse style”: for example Areknames = Se mancherà)… On “Beta” you have sound effects and recitative vocals that lead to a “mystical mood” while a piano play some notes of the previous theme “Areknames”… The conclusion of “Beta” is a philosophical question on an orchestral carpet: “Dentro di me vivono la mia identica vita dei microrganismi che non sanno di appartenere al mio corpo... / Io a quale corpo appartengo? = Inside of me live my identical life some micro organisms that do not know that they belong to my body… / Me, what body do I belong to ?”.

On the second side you have three more experimental tracks : the interesting “Plancton” with a kind of “space tarantella finale”, the less interesting “Pollution” and the final weak instrumental “Ti sei mai chiesto che funzione hai?”… In the whole I think that this album is an excellent addition to any prog collection! By Andrea Parentin Prog Archives


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Franco Battiato - Fetus (1971)

An internationally known artist, Franco Battiato has been everything in his long career, from beat singer to avantgarde performer, producer, contemporary music composer.
His beginnings lay in the mid 60's, with many singles released with no particular success, the first two under his real name of Francesco. He had left the native Sicily (he was born in Jonia, near Catania in 1945) moving to Milan around 1965.

In 1970 after his collaboration with Osage Tribe (that he quit before their only album Arrowhead) he had a record deal with Bla Bla, releasing his first solo album in 1972.
Fetus, housed in a outrageous cover (reproducing a foetus) was definitely a prog album, but a very original one, with a minimalist sound mainly based on the use of a VCS3 synth, unusual lyrics, complex arrangements. Two tracks, Energia and Una cellula were also released as single. Italian Prog

Franco Battiato is one of Italy's biggest pop stars. From just hearing that you might think he's just the kind of guy to appear on the Eurovision Song Contest. Not at all, not particularly his '70s material, like this one, Fetus, from 1972. This album has one of the more disturbing covers I have seen, this is definately the kind of album cover that would outrage the likes of Operation Rescue, the Army of God, or Neal Horsley. At this point, Battiato was exploring the world of avant garde electronic music on the VCS-3 synthesizer with the prog rock sound of the day. I just notice how much this album resembles Le Orme with an avant garde bent. Battiato's vocals even sound just like Aldo Tagliapietra, and some of the acoustic passages resemble Le Orme's acoustic-oriented material. But of course, while Le Orme's Toni Pagliuca did often include a bunch of bizarre electronic effects off his synths (like on Contrappunti or Felona e Sorona), it's nothing on the scale that Battiato had done on Fetus. The title track simply blows me away, just as Battiato starts really cooking on his synths, it suddenly stops. "Cariocinesi" features some American-style violin work (reminding me of Don "Sugarcane" Harris, of Don & Dewey and Frank Zappa fame), and it's only the Italian vocals that reveal that this is hardly American. "Energia" starts off with the recurring theme of the title track, with the sounds of kids and babies this time, but then the main song gets a bit cheesy, so it's not one of my favorite pieces here. "Meccanica" is another of the album's high points, with reminders of PFM, and perhaps a little of ELP, before you hear Bach (the same melody Procol Harum used for their classic hit "A Whiter Shade of Pale") and an excert of the Apollo 11 moon landing. It's strange how Franco Battiato became quite famous, especially with an album like Fetus (but then you have remember what he was doing in the '80s and '90s was a lot more mainstream and commercial). So if you like prog with an avant garde electronic bent, you're sure to enjoy this. By Proghead72


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Cool places to spent the evening at

Dear Friends!

Let me again recommend you some great blogs:

Spsychedelictrip

Prog Not Frog

Cities On Flame With Rock And Roll

White Noise

Enjoy! Happy Easter!

Good Day,
Lisa

Abus Dangereux - Le Quatrieme Mouvement (1980)

Great French Zeuhl Band


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Ferris - Ferris (1971)

This is a progressive rock trio from Finland, originally released in 1971. Their album comprised bluesy progressive rock with electric guitar and organ to the fore and sung in English. Their sound is typical of the Scandinavian stuff of the time being somewhat influenced by that Nordic folk sound, but also they had a heavy blues base to their music. The main instrument used is the Hammond organ, as there is lot's of manic playing. There is also some nice guitar.

Help with better artwork will be appreciated!

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La Bamboche - Née De La Lune (1980)

La Bamboche was founded by a bagpipe wizard Jean Blanchard in early 70s. As it was pointed out in Wikipedia, La Bamboche was one of the most important bands revitalized the folk tradition of the Central France.

Here's the review in French:"Après 3 années de tournée avec la formation dite « électrique » La Bamboche enregistre son deuxième album. Le groupe a changé, Pierre « Tiboum » Guignon remplace Bernard « Beps » Chauchat. Cet enregistrement comprend essentiellement les compositions des membres du groupe. « La Bourrée infernale » reste le morceau emblématique de La Bamboche à cette époque. Plus tard, Michel Poncet (contrebasse) remplacera Jacques Boisset et Michel Di Napoli rejoindra le groupe. La vielle à roue présente sur la pochette est celle d’Évelyne Girardon (luthier Jean-Luc Bleton)Épuisé" Taken from Compagnie Beline


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La Bamboche - La Saison Des Amours (1978)

Although their earlier and mostly acoustic earlier album on Hexagone (not on CD) are their best, this 1978 album recorded for Ballon Noir and produced by Gabriel Yacoub (Malicorne) is a fine collection of traditional songs and tunes. Most of the songs are performed by Evelyne Beline Girardon - a decent, if not particularly compelling, vocalist. Instrumentals and arrangements feature violin, accordion, bagpipes, dulcimer, acoustic & electric guitars, bass, drums, hurdy gurdy and more. (FS) Folk Music Of The British Isles & Europe


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Frenchies - Lola-Cola (1974)

What we have here is basically a French version of The Stooges, but also with a touch of NY Dolls, Silverhead, Pandora and KISS. The English lyrics are quite weird, and sometimes don't even make any sense! And some of the arrangements are a little plodding. But when the band gets down to it, they rock - they rock HARD! Glenn Baxter

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The Captain Has Arrived!!!

My Friends!

Let me introduce you new player in the blogging world - The Captain's Trip Music For The Nations! Incredibly cool start - please visit him & thank him.

Take care,
Lisa

Flamen Dialis - Symptome - Dei (1978-79)

After releasing a 45 in England in 1971 as the Yecta Plus Band (a trio, with guitars, vocals, and keyboards) Didier Le Gallic (keyboards, drums) formed Flamen Dialis (a designation, from ancient Roman times, of the highest priest of Jupiter) in 1976. Flamen Dialis recorded a 7" that was released in 1978 (in their first formation, Flamen Dialis were T. Tanguy: pianos & vocals; D. Le Gallic: guitars and percussion; L. Le Clech: vocals, and B.B. L'Helgouach, chants). The basic components for their following masterpiece are evident on this short release.
For their 1979 LP Symptome Dei, Flamen Dialis added a number of players, vocalists, and instruments, and the band's sound became much richer and dense. The music developed an otherworldly atmosphere. The combination of child-like melodies composed around sequences of unearthly themes and solemn chanting, whispers, and injections of flute, bombarde (an ancient twin-reed instrument, precursor of the oboe) and vibraphone weave a sound that is both disquieting and dreamy.
Yet with the next breath, the atmosphere can turn both heavy and strangely familiar. Layers of Mellotron and airy keyboard sonorities further underscore the music's dramatic tensions. Elements of this recording call to mind Franco Battiato's Fetus and Pollution and the vocal exercises share similarities with the French group Magma, although Flamen Dialis are certainly unique for their impressionist cosmic music and a powerful dramatic intensity.
The group's first 45 is included as the bonus tracks on our CD reissue. These two releases represent the group's entire body of work. MIO Records

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Madrigal - School Of Time (1977)

French band playing pop progressive rock in the vein of 10cc & Barclay James Harvest.

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Fusion Orchestra - Skeleton In Armour (1973)

A short-lived progressive hard rock outfit. The album is now quite sought-after. Except When My Momma's Not At Home, which is essentially a mainstream rock 'n' rollin' piece with a brass arrangement, the remaining tracks, Sonata In Z, Have I Left The Gas On?, A Skeleton In Armour and Talk To The Man In The Sky are superb, especially the first two. Sophisticated compositions with astonishing and strong female vocals, superb manic guitar leads, powerful drumming, electric piano, flute and harmonica solos make this recommended listening. Tapestry Of Delights

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Asgard - In The Realm Of Asgard (1972)

Very little is known of English band ASGARD except that they were one of the first bands to be signed by MOODY BLUES label Threshold. The name 'Asgard', taken from ancient North European mythology, means 'castle of the gods'. Perhaps because of its Tolkien-esque resonance, it seems to be a popular one among progsters as it is shared by two other bands, one a 70's French folk outfit and the other a '90's Italian neo-prog group. English ASGARD consist of guitarist/vocalist Rod Harrison (ex-PLEASE and psych-pop band BULLDOG BREED), vocalist James Smith and drummer Ian Snow (who both later went on to join STONEHOUSE CREEK), vocalist Ted Bartlett, bassist Dave Cook and violinist Peter Orgil.
They released a 45 in 1972 containing 4 tracks, and then a year later Threshold produced their one and only LP, entitled "In the Realm of Asgard". Rather mainstream, the album is made up of 8 relatively short tracks and could be described as a cross between early 70's MOODY BLUES and the warm, flowing symphonic prog of FANTASY, with vocals faintly reminiscent of Dennis deYoung (STYX). The LP has lately been remastered and issued in cd format in Japan.
Of some interest to those who enjoy early 70's MOODY BLUES, circa "Every Good Boy Deserve Favour". Lise (HIBOU), CANADA ProgArchives

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Weekends at EZHEVIKA

Hello My Friends!

Had to be off-blogging for several days. Need to work & search the globe for more rarities for you ;)

During my travels I've met Mr. Matty Groves - great folk/prog specialist (he agreed to share some of his albums - great news!)

According to Mr. Pow recommendations I'll present to your attention one of the most unique bands from the Eastern Block.

If you'd like to participate in Ezhevika Archives send me your thoughts to ezhevika.secrets@yahoo.com

Due to work reasons most of new albums will appear here around weekends - with few on working days sometimes - so stay tuned!

Now is the time for new discoveries! Enjoy!

Good day,
Lisa

The Rationals - Temptation 'Bout To Get Me (1968)

The Rationals emerged in the mid-'60s out of Ann Arbor, in matching uniforms, to score with a succession of 45 singles for A-Square. On this album they are captured live in the Fall of 1968 at the Grande Ballroom, during their post-mod period.
"Holy fuckin' MOLY! An absolutely SMOKING live set from Detroit's Rationals, recorded at the Grande Ballroom in October, 1968, while opening for the MC5. The first time I heard this CD, it had me up against the opposite wall, clutching my chest in gasping, wide-eyed, Fred Sanford-ish disbelief; 'Elizabeth... I'm comin to see you!' This is an absolutely fantastic portrait of the best band ever to come outta Detroit forging their own very unique blend of firey white-boy soul and urban psychedelia. Scott Morgan's unbelievably soulful, larynx-shredding lead vocals and Steve Correll's genius punky-funk guitar duke it out for the spotlight throughout the disc, creating an almost angry tension on some tracks, and putting a very unique high-energy spin on chestnuts like Screamin Jay Hawkins' "I Put a Spell on You," and Willie Dixon's "Wang Dang Doodle." The level of freneticism is taken down a bit on "Ha-Ha," a gorgeous piece of acoustic folk-soul featuring Morgan on flute (not at all dissimilar to Autumn Stone-period Small Faces), and a cover of the Knight Brothers1965 soul hit "Temptation "Bout to Get Me," both tracks to surface the following year on the bands self-titled LP for Crewe. My favorite track, though, has got to be "The Instrumental," an absolutely MANIC jam piece that sounds like one of those boring Grateful Dead jams on about 20 pounds of amyl nitrate. The band sustains an absolutely amazing intensity level throughout the performance -- great stuff, great great stuff. To paraphrase John Lennon, 'we shoulda been there.' "- Gary Pig Gold / Dead Flowers
Only digital snobs will turn their noses up at the raw sound 'cos the gig is fiery and loose and tautly-wound and lysergically freeform, all at the same time. - Goldmine
If you like the MC5 live, or The Stooges, you'll dig this! - Bad Trip

Total Energy Records
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