Albatros - Garden Of Eden 1978 ~ software for linux

Albatros from Hagen, named after the great Fleetwood Mac song from 1968, played polished art rock in the vein of the early Genesis or the early Wallenstein. The band formed in 1974, but didn’t record an album until 1978. Internal conflicts and the pressures of the “real world” lead the band to disintegrate, thus leaving only “Garden Of Eden” as their only recorded document. The album is a pleasure to have around, and at 41-plus minutes, is far too short. There are only three tracks on this album. Each clocking over 10 minutes they were even shortened to fit the format of an LP. Their theatric and complex arrangements are similar to early Genesis and ELP, are great to hear, they have a very distinct sound. Catchy refrains, great licks – whether it’s the keys, guitar, or drums – a voice you can sing along with. Plus all those elements we like in our progressive — extended arrangements, great interplay, intriguing patterns and rhythms. The band was a sextet and consisted of Peter Breitbarth on guitar, Thomas Büscher on drums, Achim Hubricht on bass, Harald Hubricht on keyboards, Christian Köppen on piano, Hansi Köppen on vocals and Jürgen Polzin on congas. It is so imaginative and varied, the performance is so skillful and the recording so accurate that the band needn't shun any comparison. Due to the small edition of 500 copies, it was only in 1999 that the LP turned up in collectors' circles. The band had soon won several prizes in contests in the wider Sauerland region, thus becoming a well-known figure there. Yet they never had a full-time manager actively looking after the business side. And so, unfortunately, they were denied their due recognition.

Line-up / Musicians

Peter Breitbarth/guitar
Thomas Buscher/drums
Achim Hubricht/bass
Harald Hubricht/keyboards
Christian Koppen/piano
Hansi Koppen/vocals
Jurgen Polzin/congas

Discography

Garden Of Eden 1978