Fermáta is a Slovak group that formed in 73, from the association of guitarist Frantisek Griglak (ex-Collegium Musicum and Prudy) and keyboardist Thomas Berka. Apparently their brand of instrumental jazz-rock was at best approved, at worst tolerated by the Communist regime as they released all their albums on the state apparatchik label Opus. Indeed, their music has been compared to Spain's Iceberg or Holland's Finch, but this writer wouldn't hesitate to talk of Mahavishnu Orchestra as well, at least for their first few albums.Both Griglak and Berka would be the mainstays of an otherwise often-changing line-up, even if Karol Olah held the drum stool from their third album until the mid-80's at least. Right from their first album, Fermáta posessed some quality western instruments like Gibson, Fender, Rickenbacker and the full array of keyboards except the Mellotron and the Moog, which might be a bit surprising for a band that was under scrutiny of the closed-borders regime. Line-up / Musicians Tomas Berka/piano,synthesizer Frantisek Griglak/guitar,synthesizer Ladislav Lucenic/bass Karol Olah/drums,percussion Peter Olah/vocals Dezider Pito/cello Discography(Album) Huascaran 1977
1.Huascaran I 2.80 000 3.Solidarity 4.Huascaran II
Formas is a band from Spain releasing one album in 1981 named Largos suenos. The music is very smooth, elegant with progressive arrangements meets flamenco elements, very strong combination, typical for Spanish bands. Some fantastic keyboards interlude very well with guitar arrangements, who are simply fantastic on some pieces like La gitanilla or Surtidores. The music reminds in places of another bands from Spain like Triana , Mezequita or Alameda. The vocal parts are great as well, nice warm and smooth tone of voice. Nice album, unfairly underrated and unknown to larger public, it is not a masterpiece but a very good album for sure. Line-up / Musicians F. J. Muñoz F. Gaona J. Alonso Manuel López A. García Discography(Album) Largos Sueños 1981
1.Solea 2.Surtidores 3.Ahi abajo, la Tierra 4.La gitanilla 5.Primer amor 6.Elegia a mis poetas 7.El viejo artista 8.Aroma sureño
Along with The Matadors, Flamengo were one of the earliest Czech groups that started out in the mid-60's as beat bands and recorded a bunch of singles on legal state apparatchik label. Their then-leader Frantisek Francl was a well regarded fuzzed-up guitarist and wrote most of their track (even if they did a cover of John Mayall's No Reply), but with time, the group changed line-up and with the arrival of the now-legendary vocalist Vladimir Misik and woodwind player Jan Kubik, the group's sound was dramatically affected and started sounding like a brass rock band, with a slightly more jazz twist than the better know US groups. They might be compared best with Colosseum and sometimes Traffic. Their sole album Kuře v Hodinkách is a great bland of hard rock and early jazz rock. Music is more blues based hard rock, with lot's of horn arrangements, with slight soul influence as well - think along the lines of Traffic or the German band Lucifer's Friend, mixed with early Uriah Heep. The album starts with a heavy guitar riff doubled by sax, followed by another heavy song "Rám Prístích Obrazu", with great hammond playing and sax work. After a great climax the track ends in a with Vladimir Misik singing a stunning high F#. The next track opens with a fast sax/guitar unison lick, and follows in a straightforward bluesy fashion. "Já A Dým" is another highlight, with soft acoustic guitars and flute supporting Vladimir Misik. In particular this track evokes some similarities to Traffic. "Par stoleni" is also another great ballad, with a dreamy atmosphere, because of the sustained vibraphone sound and flute. This album was set to be released in 72 on the state label Supraphon, but apparently was quickly banned by the regime. Nothing was heard from the musicians until 76, so most likely, they chose to lay low for a while. Line-up / Musicians Jan Kubik/saxophone,flute,clarinet,vocals Pavel Fort/guitar,vocals Ivan Khunt/organ,vocals Vladimir Guma Kulhanek/bass,vocals Jaroslav Erno Sedivy/drums Vladimir Misik/vocals,guitar Discography(Album) Kuře v Hodinkách 1972
1.Kure V Hodinkach (Introdukce)/Chicken In The Watch (Introduction) 2.Rám Prístích Obrazu/Frames Of Future Pictures 3.Jenom Laska Vi Kam/Only Love Knows Where 4.Já A Dým/Me And The Smoke 5.Chvile Chvil/Moment Of The Moments 6.Pár Století/Some Centuries 7.Doky, Vlaky,Hlad A Boty/Dockyards,Trains,Hunger And Shoes 8.Stále Dál/Further On 9.Kure V Hodinkach/Chicken In The Watch
A Japanese group from late-70's, formed in Kyoto and featuring later Gerard's leader Toshio Egawa and Pageant's guitarist Ikkou Nakajima in their early line-up.However the band did not release anything around the time and we would have to wait for 1984 when the Fromage quintet debuted with ''Ondine'' on Belle Antique.By the time female musician Manabu Higashizawa was handling the flute, Yoshie Shimamura was the keyboard man, Yoshihiro Kondo the guitarist, while the rhythm section consisted of Hirozaku Taniguchi on drums and Tomohisa Hayashi on bass.The album opens with ''Extermination''.Interesting flute work,careful use of synths,some great breaks but also a cliche groove and ultra-cheesy vocals complete a fine but rather uneven track.The following ''Inspiration'' is pretty awful.Sort of bluesy Pop Rock mixed with 80's synths and unbearable vocals,a total failure.''Ultimate'' is a winner to say the least,instrumental keyboard-driven Symphonic Rock with a slight commercial edge, headed by the fantastic flute work of Higashizawa,the nice synths of Shimamura and the STEVE HACKETT-influenced guitars of Kondo.The eponymous track is actually a long symphonic ballad with good electric solos and decent synthesizers in a very grandiose mood,not unlike early GERARD.''Color Vision Night'' is the worst track by far,absolutely uninteresting Synth- Pop with distorted guitars and horrible poppy vocals.The band however decided to save the best for last,the 17-min, grand epic ''Tsuki-ni-hoeru'',a composition with a fair amount of diversity.Melodic symphonic Rock with hints of CAMEL on the flute work, pretty nice use of synthesizers in a GENESIS vein and a touch of FOCUS on the guitar lines.And the only track along with the eponymous one,where vocals are pretty bearable. Line-up / Musicians Tomohisa Hayashi/bass Manabu Higashizawa/vocals,flute Yoshihiro Kondo/guitars Yoshie Shimamura/keyboards Hirozaku Taniguchi/drums Discography(Album) Ondine 1984
1.Extermination 2.Inspiration philology 3.Ultimate 4.Ondine 5.Color vision night 6.Tsuki-ni-hoeru 7.Kishibe no nai umi
Franz De Byl's second album, released by Thorofon in 1971, was actually his debut as a solo performer, an eccentric collection of freaky acoustic folk songs with bluesy elements and an extra satirical, political twist (not unlike Floh De Cologne). Weird sounds and compulsive chanting from this master of the acoustic guitar, one of the most curious characters to ever emerge from the Berlin underground. From relaxing and silent short acoustic folk songs to longer freak outs, the album is recommended for folk admirers and krautrock fanatics! Line-up / Musicians Franz De Byl Discography(Album) Und 1972
1.I Got Trouble 2.African Girl 3.I Wish I Could Ride 4.Just A Little Bit Something 5.Birthday (The World's Gates) 6.I Don't Mind 7.Franz Wanz Ran And Fell
FOOD BRAIN was named by Shinki Chen - a charismatic Japanese guitarist - and is known as a novel rock project by Polydor Japan (according to rumor the project was originally to be named Brain Food - but Shinki made a mistake). Ikuzo Orita, a director of Polydor, had pictured some projects of Japanese progressive rock in his mind. To realize one of them, he persuaded Shinki to be the front man, and gathered some renowned Japanese musicians - Hiro Tsunoda (drums & percussion), Hiro Yanagida (keyboard & organ), Masayoshi Kabe (bass) - around him. As this was in the early 70's and the dawn of Japanese rock, a topic that can't be overlooked is the DRUG culture...The group with these four talented men - some serious session musicians and others junkie travelers - might be lacking in unity but they had no problem in dropping a breaking-Japanese-pop-dream bomb. Their only one piece Bansan was the sunrise of Japanese psychedelic rock and paved way for the younger generation. Sadly their remarkable flexibility and technique couldn't prevent the project from breaking up after the short blooming period, in spite of Ikuzo's dream. Line-up / Musicians Hiro Tsunoda/drums,percussion Hiro Yanagida/keyboard,organ Masayoshi Kabe/bass Shinki Che guitar Michihiro Kimura/clarinet Discography Bansan (Social Gathering) 1970
1.That Will Do 2.Naked Mountain 3.Waltz For M.P.B. 4.Live Juice Vending Machine 5.The Conflict Of The Hippo And The Pig 6.Clock 7.One-Sided Love 8.The Hole In A Sausage 9.Dedicated To Bach
FLIED EGG / STRAWBERRY PATH was a series of Japanese progressive rock projects in early seventies carried out by two key players Shigeru NARUMO (guitars, keyboards) and Hiro TSUNODA (drums). In the late sixties, Shigeru has already been famous and charismatic on Japanese underground rock scene. Woodstock Festival could notify him of a need to hold Japanese rock festivals and let him give some reasonable concerts (called '10 yen concert') in Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall with great players ... Shinki Chen (ex-Food Brain, Speed Glue and Shinki), George Yanagi (ex-Power House), Hiro Yanagida (ex-Apryl Fool, Food Brain), or Hiro Tsunoda (ex-Sadao Watanabe Quartet, Food Brain). This experience might be the basis of a project named STRAWBERRY PATH.STRAWBERRY PATH shot only one album - 'When The Raven Has Come To The Earth' (1971). In this work, Shigeru could play multi-instruments at the same time (a keyboard by his left hand, a guitar by his right hand, a bass pedal by his feet!). Influenced of Jimi Hendrix or lots of British progressive artists, he tried to shoot the psychedelic and progressive style with Hiro's jazzy and freaky drumming. At an opening performance of the Pink Floyd Japan tour, Shigeru and Hiro persuaded Masayoshi TAKANAKA (bass) to join them...after a month, these three talented players changed their outfit name from STRAWBERRY PATH to FLIED EGG.FLIED EGG produced two album - 'Dr. Siegel's Fried Egg Shooting Machine' (1972) and 'Good Bye Flied Egg' (1972). (Anyway, Dr. Siegel is of course Shigeru NARUMO himself.) They turned up the colours and influences of British rock. Masayoshi, an only 17 year-old bassist, could evolve and dignify the works with his heavy and steady bass plays. The novel project could impress strongly Japanese rock fans and broke up in 1973. Line-up / Musicians Shigeru Narumo/guitar,organ,piano,harpsicord,vocals,sound effects Hiro Tsunoda/drums,percussion,vocals,vocal,harmony,toy instruments,jokes,noise Masayoshi Takanaka/bass,guitar,vocals,harmony, Discography(Album) Good Bye Flied Egg 1972
1.Leave Me Woman 2.Rolling Down The Broadway 3.Rock Me Baby 4.Five More Pennies 5.Before You Descend 6.Out To The Sea 7.Goodbye My Friends 8.521 Seconds Schizophrenic Symphony
This early 70's psychedelic Japanese quartet were more or less the precursors of The FAR EAST FAMILY BAND, guitarist/vocalist Fumio Miyashita being the only link between the two. Miyashita would later join other musicians on FEFB which included among their ranks Masanori Takahashi, better known as "Kitaro". Under the name FAR OUT, they released one album in 1973.Although « Nihonjin » is definitely a spacey album, the keyboards are only prominent on the opening notes and the synths are used sparingly throughout, for the occasional sound effect. The psychedelic atmosphere comes mostly from the guitars, electric sitar and drums, resulting in a sound somewhat reminiscent of PINK FLOYD's "A Saucerful of Secrets". The original LP, replete with weird sound effects, consisted of two epic tracks clocking in at 18 and 20 minutes respectively. The 7 bonus tracks of the CD edition are actually taken from The FAR EAST FAMILY BAND's first album "The Cave Down to the Earth" and feature some Japanese vocals that turn out in English on "The Cave" album. Line-up / Musicians Fumio Miyashita/vocal,guitar,harmonica,moog Eiichi Sayu/guitar,organ, chorus Kei Ishikawa/vocal,bass,sitar Manami Arai/drums Discography Nihonjin 1973
1.Too Many People 2.Nihonjin 3.Birds Flying To The Cave 4.Saying To The Land 5.Moving, Looking, Trying, Jumping 6.Wa Wa 7.The Cave Down To The Earth 8.Four Minds 9.Transmigration
Regarded by many as the first Japanese progressive rock group, the Far East Family Band featured the keyboardist and future new age composer, Kitaro. A keyboard-dominated space rock band, the Far East Family Band played extended compositions that brought comparisons to Tangerine Dream and early Pink Floyd. The group's first album was released under the band name of Far Out. After changing their name, the band released The Cave Down to Earth in 1975. Their first European release, Nipponjin -- Join Our Mental Phase Sound (1975), featured re-recorded versions of material from the previous record and the album attributed to Far Out. The group's next record, Parallel Worlds (1976), was profoundly influenced by Klaus Schulze who Kitaro met on a trip through Europe. With the first track over 30 minutes long, the album bears similarities to Krautrock legends Ash Ra Tempel. Tenkujin (1977) followed and was the band's first and only American release. By this point, the band consisted of Miyashta (vocals, synths, guitars, bamboo flute), Hirohito Fukushima (guitar, vocals, koto), and Yujin Harada (drums, percussion). It would be the band's last record. Line-up / Musicians Fumio Miyashita/guitar,keyboards,vocals Hirohito Fukushima/guitar Masanori Takahashi/keyboards Akira Ito/keyboards Akira Fukakusa/bass Shizuo Takasaki/drums Discography(Album) Parallel World 1976
1.Metempsychosis 2.Entering / Times 3.Kokoro 4.Parallel World
Forever More are one of the great neglected treasures of the 70s. They recorded two albums, Yours - Forever More and Words on Black Plastic, the latter featuring future AWB tenor sax player Molly Duncan. The core of the band went on to fame as the Average White Band - Onnie Mair is Onnie Maclntyre of AWB, and the horns went with him and Alan. Mick Travis was briefly in Glencoe, split before they recorded, and has not been heard from since. Forever More were in a Lindsay Shonteff film, a dreadful sexploitation flick that does feature their music and some live, though murky, footage. For completists only. The roots of the band lie in various Scottish aggregations that recorded a few singles in the 60s. Alan Gorrie, the main singer and songwriter as well as fabulous bass player, also recorded a few folkish sole tunes. Alan also did quite a few sessions in the 60s and early 70s.The horn section on their records, also later to feature in AWB, is mostly guys from Mogul Thrash, one of John Wetton's earliest bands. Mogul Thrash made one LP. Somewhere someone compared Forever More to the Beatles circa Abbey Road. Believe it or not, this is an apt comparison. The songs are consistently tuneful, go through some unexpected turns without seeming contrived, and build to emotional highs in a very convincing fashion. Line-up / Musicians Alan Gorrie/Piano,Bass,Teapot Mick Travis/Guitar Onnie Mair/Guitar,Bass,Vocals Stuart Francis/Drums,Vocals Molly Duncan/Sax Discography(Album) Words On Black Plastic 1971
1.Promises Of Spring 2.The Wrong Person 3.Last Breakfast 4.Get Behind Me Satan 5.Put Your Money On A Pony 6.Lookin' Through The Water 7.O'brien's Last Stand 8.Angel Of The Lord 9.What A Lovely Day
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. Line-up / Musicians Dave Lindholm/guitar,vocals Heikki Hiekkala/organ,guitar,vocals Matti Saxelin/drums,percussion Jaakko Itävaara/bass Discography Ferris 1971
1.Mama 2.Vagabond 3.You Could Tell Me 4.Chrystal Angel 5.Mr. America 6.Basically Pure 7.Stirling 8.Black Friday 9.Shugga Pog 10.Women Are Allright
Another of those mystery groups that were so common in Italy at the end of the 60's, Fourth Sensation only appeared on an album released on the Ricordi International label, as if they were a foreign group. No names are mentioned on the cover though there are four musicians pictured on the back, but two of the band members may have been Vince Tempera (later with The Pleasure Machine and Il Volo) and Ares Tavolazzi (Area).All the tracks are composed by Massimo Catalano (that was one of The Flippers, a very popular beat band of the early 60's).Musically speaking the album has the same style as The Underground Set or Blue Phantom, a totallly instrumental psych-influenced acid-jazz sound, with the Hammond organ in evidence. The ten tracks have all women names. Line-up / Musicians Vince Tempera/organ Ares Tavolazzi/guitar Angelo Vaggi/bass Ellade Bandini/drums Discography Fourth Sensation 1970
A heavy rock group which formed in 1972. The first Flax album sold poorly at the time of release in 1976 and has become something of a collector's item. It contained theatrical heavy rock (vocalist Hermod Falch was occasionally dressed in a skeleton costume when the group performed live), strongly influenced by Deep Purple (at the time of Machine Head) and, to a lesser degree, Uriah Heep and Queen. Their music also had some symphonic elements.Flax disbanded in 1975 some months before their debut album was released but a new line-up appeared in 1978. Line-up / Musicians Hermod Falch/vocals John Hesla/guitar,flute Bruce C. Rasmussen/drums Arve Sakariassen/bass Lars Hesla/keyboards Discography One 1976
1.Demon in Your Heart 2.The Way Here 3.Have You Seen My Friend 4.Hell on Earth 5.Wanna Rock You 6.Pain in the Ass 7.Clever Man 8.Crusaders 9.Leaving Home 10.Mirrors
Irish guitarist, singer and writer Vince McCusker had spent some months in London to find musicians for his musical ideas. Disappointed he returned to Belfast and recruted musicians to play his material: Miles McKee (lead vocals), Stephen Houston (keyboards/oboe), Peter Farrelly (bass/vocals) and Martin Foye (drums). They called themselves FRUUPP, the name is dreived from an Electroset Page, the band added an U and a P. FRUUPP signed a contract with Dawn Records and in '71 they released the debut album titled "Future Legends", in '74 followed by the "Seven Secrets" and "The Prince of Heaven's Eyes". The band was making real progress (good sales, succesfull gigs) but Stephen Houston left for religious reasons the band and was replaced by John Mason. In this line-up FRUUPP made their last but acclaimed LP "Modern Masquerades" ('74).The best introduction to the very distinctive sound of FRUUPP is the compilation CD "Songs for a Thought (Sequel Records, '92) featuring 14 tracks from their four albums. FRUUPP showcases a great maturity in writing, combining several styles and showing lots of instruments and changing atmospheres: classic with oboe, folky with acoustic guitars and symphonic with propulsive interplay between electric guitar and organ. This CD also includes the previously unreleased track On a clear day: an alternating piece with powerful electric guitarplay, tasteful keyboards and strong vocals. The best comparison to the unique FRUUPP sound is YES-rooted band like Druid and England but FRUUPP sounds more sophisticated and more colourful. Line-up / Musicians Peter Farrelly/bass,flute,vocals Martin Foye/drums,percussion Stephen Houston/keyboards,oboe,vocals Vincent McCusker/guitars,vocals Discography(Album) Future Legends 1973
1.Future legends 2.Decision 3.As day breaks with dawn 4.Graveyard epistle 5.Lord of the Incubus 6.Olde tyme future 7.Song for a thought 8.Future legends
Seven piece group from Turkmenistan with guitar, sax, flute, keys, violin, bass, drums and percussion. This is a fascinating fusion, one that reflects the unique culture of the Turkmens. It was surprised that Boheme Music of Russian didn't reissue this with all the other great ex-Soviet albums formerly on Melodia. The album was released in 1979. Four long tracks adorn this one of a kind album. Cool cover featuring the band, with instruments in hand, proudly wearing their traditional telpeks (tall fur hats) Line-up / Musicians Дмитрий Саблин(Dmitry Sablin) Дмитрий Манукян(Dmitriy Manukyan) Discography Фирюза (Firyuza) 1979
1.Ашхабад 2.Край Родной 3.Чапыксуар 4.Диалог В Ауле
From Boston, this was a heavy psychedelic outfit with free jazz influences.Tthis seven piece outfit featured the talents of bassist Sean Hutchinson, guitarist Paul Lenart, keyboard player Larry Luddecke, sax player Dick Martin, drummer Victor McGill, guitarist David Perry and singer Jere Whitting. Except for the classic blues track, Sweet Little Angel, all the songs on their album were penned by the group and sung in a very rasping voice by Jere Whiting. The album was produced by Danny Weiss (Everything Is Everything) and recorded in New York. It's one of the few records issued on Vanguard Apostolic, the label managed by John Townley. Largely original, the album featured a strange blend of jazz, fusion and psychedelic rock moves. While it may not have sounded particularly promising, the combination of styles was actually intriguing. Line-up / Musicians Jere Whiting/vocals, harmonica Paul Lenart/guitar Dick Martin/tenor sax,conga drum David Perry/guitar,vocals Larry Luddecke/organ,piano Sean Hutchinson/bass Victor McGill/drums,vibes Discography The Far Cry 1968
1.Shapes 2.Midnight Juice 3.Dream 4.Hellhound 5.Earthlight 6.Sweet Little Angel 7.Listen To The Walls
Fredy Guye is an obscure swiss keyboardist whose music is specialised in vertiginous spacey synthesised pieces. It includes a taste for concrete-neurotic sounds and church-like organs. The music delivers some astonishing lysergic moments, playing with ambiguous-liminal states created by multi textural dronescapes. It can easily be compared to Cyborg (Klaus Schulze) and to Sternzeit (Adelbert Von Deyen) with much more emphasis on religiously classical music themes. He published his first album "Journey into a dream" in 1974. One piece will be re-worked and used for the movie "Coma" (1976)directed by M. Lenherr. In 1980 is published his second and last LP. In 1993 his first album is re-issued on CD by the German label Thors Hammer. Line-up / Musicians Frédy Guye/All electronics Discography Journey Into a Dream 1975
