Opus Avantra are an Italian prog band from Venice that was formed in 1973 on the initiative of Donella Del Monaco (vocals, lyrics), Alfredo Tisocco (piano, keyboards and composer), Giorgio Bisotto (philosopher and "ideologist" of the band) and Renato Marengo (producer). The name of this project is an acronym that reflects the main sources of inspiration (Opera, Avant-garde, Tradition). The aim was to break the cultural barriers between classical and popular music blending opera with jazz, contemporary music and traditional melodies. The debut album of the band "Opus Avantra ? Donella Del Monaco" (also known as "Introspezione", from the title of the first track) was released in 1974 for the independent label Trident and was recorded with the help of some guest musicians like Tony Esposito (percussion), Luciano Tavella (flute), Enrico Professione (violin) and Pierdino Tisato (drums). It's a concept album about the sentimental education of a girl, a musical journey through the hidden feelings of a woman led by the magnificent Donella Del Monaco's vocals. Line-up / Musicians Donella Del Monaco/vocals Alfredo Tisocco/keyboards Luciano Tavella/flute Enrico Professione/violin Pieregidio Spiller/violin Riccardo Perraro/cello Pierdino Tisato/drums Tony Esposito/percussion,strumenti Discography(Album) Introspezione - Donella Del Monaco 1974
X-Panda is an interestingly named progressive metal act from Estonia, and Flight of Fancy is their impressive entrance into the scene. This mostly-instrumental debut showcases a talented young band with a unique sound, as well as a strong ability to write memorable and captivating compositions. Flight of Fancy is a truly remarkable musical experience - although many new progressive metal bands tend to derive too much from Dream Theater and the like, X-Panda truly has something unique to offer with this debut effort. All in all, Flight of Fancy is a highly successful mix of progressive rock, jazz, and metal; fans of those genres should definitely give these guys a shot. Line-up / Musicians Kaarel Tamra/keyboards Risto Virkhausen/guitars Tamar Nugis/bass,vocals Karl-Juhan Laanesaar/drums Discography(Album) Flight Of Fancy 2011
1.Intro 2.Black 3.Dickybirds 4.Flight Of Fancy 5.Siren 6.Journey Of A Dream 7.Keyboard Solo 8.Rhythm Department 9.Calm Waters 10.Crystal Gazing 11.Revelation
AMOS KEY is a classically influenced, and keyboard driven band from Germany. The lineup consisted of Thomas Molin (keyboards, vocals), Andreas Gross (bass, guitar, vocals), and Lutz Ludwig (drums). Their debut release was 1973's "First Key". To show their dedication to the masters, the album was dedicated to Bach, Beethoven, and Schumann. The German trio are mostly compared to EKSEPTION, ELP, DEEP PURPLE and THE NICE. There have been comparisons also with ATLANTIC PHILHARMONIC, MARIAN VARGA and COLLEGIUM MUSICUM.Unlike many of their contemporaries, AMOS KEY favored shorter songs over longer epics. Around 1975 AMOS KEY again entered the studio to record another album but unfortunately it was not to be. The album was never finished, but a few demos have come to light. For a long hiatus the band became more obscure with their one and only release. Line-up / Musicians Thomas Molin/keyboards,vocals Andreas Gross/guitar,bass,vocals Lutz Ludwig/drums Discography(Album) First Key 1973
1.Shoebread 2.Ensterknickstimmstamm 3.Knecht Ruprecht 4.Sometimes... 5.Got The Feelin 6.Escape 7.Important Matter 8.Dragon's Walk 9.First Key
British session musicians Jon Mark (vocals, guitar, drums) and John Almond (vocals, woodwinds, vibes, percussion) met while playing together in John Mayall's Bluesbreakers and left in 1970 to form Mark-Almond, sometimes referred to as the Mark-Almond Band. Prior to his career with Mayall, Mark and Mick Jagger co-produced Marianne Faithfull's early albums, with Mark later writing material for her and touring with her. He also toured with folksinger Alun Davies, and the two formed an ill-fated band called Sweet Thursday. Almond, meanwhile, had played in Zoot Money's Big Roll Band, the Alan Price Set, and Johnny Almond's Music Machine. Both joined the Bluesbreakers in 1969 and appeared on the albums Turning Point and Empty Rooms; they left in 1970 and recruited bassist Rodger Sutton and keyboardist Tommy Eyre. Mark-Almond built something of a following through touring, with their live shows often featuring lengthy instrumental jams. Their roster grew to seven members by 1973 before they disbanded that year. Mark, despite losing a finger in an accident, recorded the solo album Songs for a Friend in 1975. He and Almond reunited that year and released To the Heart in 1976; they got a deal with A&M in 1978 and released Other People's Rooms, but neither LP was successful and the duo broke up for good. Line-up / Musicians Jon Mark/guitar,bass,percussion,vocals Johnny Almond/saxophone,vibraphone,vocals,percussion,flute Tommy Eyre/keyboards,flute,percussion,guitar,vocals Rodger Sutton/bass,percussion,vocals Discography(Album) Mark-Almond 1970
1.The Ghetto 2.The City 3.The Tramp and the Young Girl 4.Love 5.Song for You
This group from Bologna was known as Frogs, active from the mid 70's and the name Orchestra Njervudarov was only used for their only LP, issued in 1979 but recorded some years earlier. Frogs, with a jazz-rock style inspired by Soft Machine and Weather Report also had a small live activity; some of the musicians had a long collaboration with singer-songwriter Claudio Lolli thought the whole band only appears on his 1980 Extranei LP.Con le orecchie di Eros, the only record release by Orchestra Njervudarov, has an odd story: a rare album, sold in few copies, became well known among the Italian prog fans throughout the world, achieving the cult status. Issued in 1979 by EMI, probably in limited quantities and with no promotion, the album is an unusual mix of Canterbury-inspired instrumental jazz prog (not unlike Picchio Dal Pozzo's albums), Zappa-esque sounds and atmospheres and even a touch of ironical new wave like in the long-titled Rapporto Njervudarov sulla teoria degli opposti estremismi (to be honest, this is the only track to sound totally out of place in the entire album, with crazy lyrics in the same vein as some "demential" Italian punk bands of the late 70's).The LP has some very good and intense moments, though it's not particularly representative of the typical Italian prog sound. Line-up / Musicians Bruno Mariani/guitar,synthesizer,percussion Piero Baldassarri/keyboards Piergiorgio Bonafè/saxophone,clarinet Roberto Costa/bass,synthesizer,trombone Adriano Pedini/drums,vibes,percussion Discography(Album) Con Le Orecchie Di Eros 1979
1.Tot stelle reflex 2.Spleen, codice notturno 3.Una baldoria verticale 4.Tristessa 5.Rapporto Njervudarov sulla teoria degli opposti estremismi 6.Toujours l'amour 7.Il montaggio delle attrazioni/Sinfonia Erotica
XSAVIOR is a Swedish progressive metal band who began when vocalist Göran Edman (YNGWIE J. MALMSTEEN,TIME REQUIEM),drummer Daniel Flores (MIND'S EYE,HUBI MESEIL & TEARS OF ANGER among many others) and guitarist Benny Jansson (TEARS OF ANGER,RIDE THE SKY) got together for the recording of Jansson's third solo album "Save the World" in 2003. The aim was to create music they loved and just have a lot of fun while doing it. But there were still some members missing, which they looked hard for. Matt Norberg, a session keyboard player and Daniel's best friend since childhood, was simply a natural choice. After trying out a bass player that didn't work out Daniel called his old mate from Music School, Mathias Garnås whom had also proved himself being worthy on Benny's solo-album. Right away they entered the studio and after having worked really hard for several months they came up with 13 full songs, and XsavioR could release their debut album, entitled 'Caleidoscope', in May 2005. Line-up / Musicians Göran Edman/vocals Benny Jansson/guitar,vocals Matt Norberg/keyboards Mathias Garnås/bass Daniel Flores/drums,vocals Discography(Album) Caleidoscope 2005
1.April Skies 2.Lex the Fly 3.Mr. Chairman 4.Take Me Home 5.In Memorial Of... 6.By the Golden RIver 7.Waves of the Sea 8.Green Mile 9.Cosmic Virus 10.Material World 11.A Snake in Paradise 12.Xsavior
AMON DÜÜL II was born of an artistic and political community called AMON DÜÜL (which recorded during the late sixties a long live session made around collective and free musical improvisations). The band emerged from the underground German rock scene with a very original and eccentric album called "Phallus Dei" (1969). The musicians who participated to this delirious and psychedelic experience were (among others) Peter Leopold (ex AMON DÜÜL), the front woman and singer Renate Knaup, John Weinzierl on the guitars... with guests as Holger Trützsch who plays tribal percussions (original member of Popol Vuh). Then almost with the same musicians the band recorded the seminal "Yeti" (1970). An album in a similar vein than the previous but more accomplished (with a few structured songs and numerous pieces of epic improvisations). "Yeti" will launch AMON DÜÜL II career outside Germany. The same year the bass guitarist Dave Anderson leaves the band to join HAWKWIND. "Tanz Der Lemminge" which follows directly "Yeti" is an impressive work with a great diversity of powerful, emotional songs with some folk accents next to long free space jamming. Recorded in 1972, "Carnival in Babylon" announces a slight new musical direction taken by the band. This album is dominated by shorter songs with the omnipresent and beautiful Renate Knaup's vocals. A more conventional work with a few memorable prog-folk ballads. The classical period of the band will end with "Wolf City" (1972) and "Viva La Trance" (1973). After the departure of Renate Knaup who joins Popol Vuh in 1974 and the release of a few albums, AMON DÜÜL II split up. In 1981, with the album "Vortex" Chris Karrer tried without success to reform the band. Line-up / Musicians Renate Knaup/vocals,tambourine Chris Karrer/violin,guitars,vocals John Weinzierl/guitars,vocals Falk Rogner/organ Peter Leopold/drums Dave Anderson/bass Shrat/bongos,vocals Discography(Album) Yeti 1970
1.Soap Shop Rock 2.She Came through the Chimney 3.Archangels Thunderbird 4.Cerberus 5.The Return of Ruebezahl 6.Eye-Shaking King 7.Pale Gallery 8.Yeti (Improvisation) 9.Yeti Talks to Yogi (Improvisation) 10.Sandoz in the Rain (Improvisation)
Led by female/male vocals and rich harmonies…The Chicago hippie crew “String Cheese” could have been the next “It’s A Beautiful Day” with proper backing and encouragement. Like that San Francisco band, String Cheese’s sound was steeped in sparkling hippie subject matter, strongly delivered by chanteuse Sally Smaller and aided by electric violin & acidy guitar leads.Unfortunately, their debut album was also their last. Lead, 12-string guitarist and co-vocalist Lawrence Wendelken wrote most of the songs on String Cheese, and there are some truly tasteful arrangements contained within. “Soul Of Man”, for example, benefits from lush, live arrangements with folksy acoustic guitar picking and sparse drums, while a Larry and Sally voice trade offs and harmonies shine on the winding road that is the human experience. Line-up / Musicians John Maggi/Drums Gregory Bloch/Violin Louis Constantino/Bass William Dalton/Organ,Piano,Celeste,Guitar Sally Smaller/Vocals Larry Wendelken/Guitar,Vocals Discography(Album) String Cheese 1971
1.For Now 2.Crystal 3.We Share 4.Here Am I 5.Empty Streets 6.Forage 7.Soul of Man 8.Certain Kind of Day 9.Woke Up This Morning/Coming 10.Coming
Excellent early-70's Italian progressive trio (still around today) with classical stylings, featuring keyboards to the fore and a unique dreamy/powerful style. Le ORME was one of the three major Italian groups, the other two being PFM and BANCO. This band is usually considered as the Italian EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER and even BANCO DEL MUTUO SOCCORSO by the Italian singing. Its music is based upon organ developments and soli reminding Seventies groups which works are essentially built upon keyboards parts. The band's truly classic period begins with their third next releases. "Uomo Di Pezza" (1972) is one of Le Orme's definitive Italian progressive rock albums. Although there is definitely an significant EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER influence here, as in the bombastic Moog and Hammond workouts countered by mellow balladry. It's not quite as integrated a feel as would characterize their next two albums, "Felona E Sonora" and "Contrappunti", though its fantastic nonetheless, and one of Le ORME's three essential albums. "Collage" and especially "Florian" offer a music tinged with classical music. "Felona E Sonora" (1973) is probably one of my top favorite Italian progressive rock albums. "Contrappunti" (1974) is another fantastic Le ORME album, and really the close of their classic trilogy. This album would effectively close out the band's streak of success."In Concerto" is an excellent live album from 1974 with many unreleased tracks. "Piccola Rapsodia Dell' Ape" is more recent, an excellent mixing of Progressive and Italian baroque music. "Collage" and especially "Florian" offer a music tinged with classical music. In 1993 the Japanese progrock label Crime Records released the 2-CD "Live Orme" with live-material from '75-'77. A far more captivating document than "In Concerto" from '74.Their story goes on. After "Piccola Rapsodia Dell' Ape" (1980), in 1982 the band decides to break up. In 1986 they rejoin only for concerts but in 1990 a further work is issued ("Orme"). In 1992 Tony Pagliuca leaves the band, replaced by Michele Bon. That year they obtain the title of best Live-Act band seen in Italy. They never give up symphonic prog and their further works show it clearly. In spite of the success obtained by their live performances, in 1996 they publish a suite ("Il fiume"). After obtaining a great success at the Los Angeles PROG FEST and at the PROG EAST in Quebec, they commit themselves to the new work which will be finished in 2001 ("Elementi"). This latter, together with "Il fiume", will be part of a trilogy completed, in 2004, by "L'infinito". The trilogy, a mix of songs and instrumental pieces, tells about the mankind through the 4 elements of the universe. In 2005 they are invited at the NEARFEST concert in Pennsylvania. Their music may well be considered as a continuous commitment in PROG ROCK: over the last 42 years they never gave up their passion. They also tried to convey PROG Rock to the people by participating to song contests such as Festival di Sanremo, a very popular TV music happening in Italy. LE ORME is one of the few foreign bands who have been produced by a British label. The Famous Charisma Label issued "Felona e Sorona" in English, lyrics by Peter Hammil, after their tour in England in 1973. Line-up / Musicians Aldo Tagliapietra/vocals,bass,guitar Toni Pagliuca/keyboards Michi Dei Rossi/drums Discography(Album) Felona E Sorona 1973
1.Sospesi Nell'Incredibile 2.Felona 3.La Solitudine Di Chi Protegge Il Mondo 4.L'Equilbrio 5.Sorona 6.Attesa Inerte 7.Ritratto Di Un Mattino 8.All'infuori Del Tempo 9.Ritorno Al Nulla
Xteria were another rising star on the Italian scene. They formed in 1996 and released one album in 2000.These guys offer us a tasteful music, which is based on proven components - progressive metal and classic heavy. Clearly shows the influence of such compositions as Dream Theater, Queensryche, Vanden Plas, Winger, TNT, Lynch Mob.Xteria’s musicians had already previously participate in other groups. The main strength of steel guitarist and drummer, who began playing together more in 1988. Line-up / Musicians Francesco Cataldo/Guitar Davide Baraldi/Bass Alessandro Cattani/Drums Massimo Ordine/Vocals Discography(Album) Outshine 2000
1.On the Edge 2.Soldiers of Fortune 3.Digital Conscience 4.Fire 5.Eyes on the World 6.All I Need 7.Points of View
Amon Düül were a huge musical collective that had a spectacular appearance in a tv-show in 1968. Before they put out their first album they split though, and one half set off to form Amon Düül 2. The others kept the name Amon Düül and in 1969 published the first Krautrock album ever, "Psychedelic Underground". Obscure upon release and obscure even now, for all the cult appeal, Underground is music at its most experimental and relentlessly uncommercial, using late-'60s inspirations as a launching ground for what came to be described as Krautrock. Psych-folk was another common term, one which applies just fine to much of the music here, feeling like an enthusiastic medieval festival gone just out of control enough, and with electricity to boot. Taken from a jam session from the previous year, but treated with many studio effects that enhance the strangeness of the collection, Underground rocks to its own weird beat. Opening track "Ein Wunderhubsches Madchen Traumt von Sandosa" captures what sounds like a great experience for everyone involved, a 17-minute composition heavy on the drums and percussion, with a basic, chugging guitar riff in one channel and chanting, call-and-response vocals located throughout the mix. At one point the jam is faded out in favor of piano parts, train noises, and the like, only to be brought back in again just as strongly, before finally fading into the gentler "Kaskados Minnelied," a mix of acoustic and electric guitars, along with a stringed instrument of some sort, that favors drones as much as it does soft riffs. The tracks on the second side have the same understandable vibe, but some are sparer in comparison, as with the keening strummed guitar/vocal combination "Im Garten Sandosa" and "Mama Duul und Ihre Sauerkrautband spielt auf," which is mostly clattering percussion in one stereo channel! You could say the sound quality isn't the best, but given the year of recording and the prevalence of lo-fi production approaches in more recent years, it doesn't sound that bad at all. Line-up / Musicians Angelica Filanda/vocals,percussion Helge Filanda/congas,anvil Ella Bauer/vocals,percussion Rainer Bauer/guitar,vocals Ullrich Leopold/bass Peter Leopold/drums Uschi Obermaier/percussion Wolfgang Krischke/piano,percussion Discography(Album) Psychedelic Underground 1969
1.Ein Wunderhübsches Mädchen Träumt von Sandosa 2.Kaskados Minnelied 3.Mama Düül und Ihre Sauerkrautband Spielt Auf 4.Im Garten Sandosa 5.Der Garten Sandosa im Morgentau 6.Bitterlings Verwandlung
from 1970 by Brute Force contains elements of funk, soul, avante-garde jazz, and even traces of African music and will appeal to those who enjoy early P-Funk, Sly and the Family Stone, the Ohio Players, and contemporaneous material by Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock. Unfortunately, very little is known about the band members, who included electric pianist, primary composer, and probable vocalist Richard Daniel, saxophonist-flautist Stanley Strickland, trumpeters Teddy Daniel, Jr. (Richard's brother?) and Arthur Ray Brooks, bassists (two bassists?) Russel I. Ingles and Thomas Lee Williams, drummer Sidney Smart, and conga player Robert A. Jones. The liner notes reveal that the group came into existence in 1968 while its personnel were students at Central State University (formerly College), a historically black institution of higher learning close to Dayton, Ohio. According to one source, the band members had been childhood friends of free jazz guitarist Sonny Sharrock, which explains his unmistakable presence on the proceedings. Indeed, his contributions help make what would have been a very good album a great one as his trademark feedback-laden guitar eruptions often emerge when the listener least expects them. Although Sharrock is credited on only three tracks, my ears tell me that he plays on all but one of them. That misinformation on the album sleeve could have been a typo or - perhaps for contractual reasons - intentional. At any rate, most of Sharrock's other recordings are just a little too free for my tastes, so it's nice to hear him play within the confines of an instrumentally advanced funk band, a setting in which I can better appreciate his formidable talents. Line-up / Musicians Stanley Strickland/saxophone,flute Arthur Ray Brooks/trumpet Teddy Daniel, Jr./trumpet Richard Daniel/piano Thomas Lee Williams/bass Russell I. Ingles/bass Sidney Smart/drums Robert A. Jones/drums Discography(Album) Brute Force 1970
1.Do It Right Now 2.Some Kind of Approval 3.The Deacon 4.Right Direction A5.Monster 6.Ye-Le-Wa 7.Doubt
Osage Tribe were formed in 1971 by Franco Battiato, then working as pop singer, with his loyal drummer Cucciolo, guitarist Marco Zoccheddu who had just left Nuova Idea and bass guitarist Bob Callero. Battiato found a recording deal with the newly born Bla Bla label, but soon left the band, just singing on their first single Un falco nel cielo, before starting his solo career; the single is rather commercial and was also used for a popular TV quiz show at the time.The remaining trio, based in Genova, a prolific city for many great bands, veered towards a more aggressive sound and released their masterpiece, Arrow head, in 1972, a five tracks album that's still regarded as one of the finest in its genre. Mainly hard rock based, but with strong progressive influences rather than dull solo parts, the album has in the long Soffici bianchi veli and the softer Cerchio di luce with some jazzy influences are the best cuts.The band had a good live activity but a short life, and Zoccheddu and Callero formed Duello Madre at the end of 1972, leaving Cucciolo with the name Osage Tribe and a new line-up with ex-Capsicum Red singer/guitarist Red Canzian and bassist Giampiero Marchiani coming from Forlì. This line-up lasted for a short time, Cucciolo was called up in the army, replaced by Enzo Vallicelli (from Hellza Poppin and later with Uno), then Canzian was recruited by Pooh, causing the definitive split of Osage Tribe.The drummer Cucciolo later played with The Trip after their fourth album (but this line up never recorded) and then Dik Dik. Bob Callero has had a very active career, with Il Volo and many collaborations as sessionman. Line-up / Musicians Marco Zoccheddu/guitar,keyboards,harmonica,vocals Bob Callero/bass,vocals Ninzio "Cucciolo" Fava/drums,vocals Discography(Album) Arrow Head 1972
1.Hajenhanhowa 2.Arrow Head 3.Cerchio di Luce 4.Soffici Bianchi Veli 5.Orizzonti Senza Fine
Dutch metal project Xystus surpasses typical rock opera expectations on the troupe’s latest grandiose expose entitled EQUILIBRIO. This brazen theatrical affair boasts a cast and crew over 130 members strong, including a massive choir reserved for religious celebrations and a show-stealing full scale orchestra to properly carry mainman’s Bas Dolmans’ epic vision to life. Highlighted by the immense vocal talents of Simone Simons (Epica) and George Oosthock (Orphan) as major characters, this sweepingly majestic presentation’s ace in the hole can be found via the symphonic might and bold pomp the orchestra doles out, cutting through the competent power metal backdrop at just the right times to stir up drama, create tension, and enrich the entire production with its captivating sparkle and shine. Line-up / Musicians Bas Dolmans/vocals,guitar Ivo van Dijk/drums Bob Wijtsma/guitar Mark Brekelmans/bass Joris van de Kerkhof/keyboards Discography(Album) Equilibrio 2008
1.Ouverture 2.My Song Of Creation 3.Traveller's Theme 4.Last Breath-Death Enters 5.We Stand Divide 6.The Conlict 7.Questions Answered 8.My Time Of Need 9.Forever Bound 10.The Message 11.The Balance Restored 12.God Of Symmetry
Amenophis was founded in 1978 by Michael Roessman, Wolfgang Vollmuth, and Stefan Roessmann. The name was taken from an Egyptian Pharoah, and was meant to have international appeal. They recorded their first album in their own apartment / studio in the summer of 1983. Lack of sales forced them to sell all of the equipment, thus breaking up the band. In 1987 fate smiled with an offer to record a second album. This lineup would include Kurt Poppe on keyboards, René Kius on drums and Elke Moehle on vocals. Stephan was replaced (with his blessing) due to health problems. The tour for "You and I" lasted until the summer of 1989. Line-up / Musicians Stefan Rößmann/drums,keyboards,guitar Michael Rößmann/guitars,keyboards Wolfgang Vollmuth/bass,guitar,keyboards,vocals Discography(Album) Amenophis 1983
1.Suntower 2.The flower 3.Venus 4.The last requiem
Emma Myldenberger have a unique sound, essentially acoustic, mixing various elements from authentic pagan folk to medieval and psych-progressive rock. The exact history behind this band is vague, admitting only a few indications. Their first album was probably released in 1978. Musical themes are closed to ancient music, ritualistic in nature. The instrumentation essentially refers to a nice orchestration made of guitars, oboe, ocarina, mandolin, crumhorn, hand percussions, with addition of a fragile female voice and an almost eastern-like exoticism. Their second album called "Tour de trance" is considered to be one of the most achieved psych-folk listening. A very ambitious effort made of high quality kraut-folk improvisations. After two releases the band formed the Radio Noisz Ensemble (Third Ear Band, Between similar musical experiences). Line-up / Musicians Biber Gullatz/winds,guitars,glockenspiel Gaby Kinscherf/vocals,glockenspiel,percusssion Reines Pauker/guitars,vocals Michel Meyer/Guitars,Sitar, vocals Anne Gosslau/banjo,vocals,flute Topsi Tkacz/bass,guitar,vocals Discography(Album) Emma Myldenberger 1978
1.Narrentanz 2.Oboenstuck 3.Emmarokkoko 4.Unter der linden 5.Fraw emma Myldenberger 6.Opus IV 7.Eines morgens 8.In meines vaters garten
