IL MUCCHIO - Il Mucchio [1970] Italian Symphonic Prog (Italy)

IL MUCCHIO was an Italian group that released one album in the beginning of the seventies. The musicians were: Maurizio Rivoltella, Sandro Zane, Luciano Zanardo, Sergio Piazza and Marino Rebeschini. It is not known which instruments they played in the group, except for Rebeschini, who was the drummer. The music and lyrics in this album are by a non-group member Pino Donaggio. The group disappeared soon after the release of the album but before this they did release a few singles in similar style to the album. These singles are included in the Mellow records CD reissue of the album.
The only album was released already in 1970. It is one of the first Italian progressive albums and therefore important. A few other Italian groups like NEW TROLLS and LE ORME had already released an album but perhaps this album by IL MUCCHIO can be regarded as the first truly progressive Italian album (?). It certainly is musically close to the more famous symphonic groups, which emerged soon after in the beginning of the seventies, and with keyboard work throughout the album. However, it does not contain long instrumental sections that are typical for the later symphonic groups.
IL MUCCHIO is an interesting group from the beginning of the Italian progressive movement.
By Markus Mattsson, FINLAND

Track Listings
1. Per una Liberta (3:41)
2. Qualcuno ha Ucciso (5:21)
3. Una Lacrima Amara (2:47)
4. Il Cammino di chi non Verra (6:13)
5. Misericordia (4:42)
6. Un Angelo Vero (3:38)
7. Ave Maria (5:49)
8. Questi Siamo Noi (2:06)

Bonus Track
9. Un'Estate Senza Caldo (2:53)
10. Quanto vuoto C (3:23)
11. Lei se ne Andra (2:57)
12. Il Giullare (3:36)

Line-up/Musicians
- Maurizio Rivoltella
- Sandro Zane
- Luciano Zanardo
- Sergio Piazza
- Marino Rebeschini

ESPIRITU - En Vivo - 2004 [2005] Symphonic Prog (Argentina)

This top notch Argentinian progrock band was rooted in ’69 when singer Fernando Bergé and guitar player Osvaldo Favrot founded Onda Corta. After many changes in the line-up the band featured Carlos Goler on drums, Claudio Martinez on bass and of course prime movers Fernando and Osvaldo in ‘72. Under their new name ESPIRITU the band gave a serie of gigs in ’73 and released a single entitled “Soy la Noche”. It was received well, ESPIRITU started to rehearse for their debut album and added a keyboard-player, first David Lebon but when he left Gustavo Fedel was willing to replace him. In this line-up ESPIRITU released their first album entitled “Crisalida” in ’75, a fine symphonic rock record with echoes from GENESIS and YES. The band was at their pinnacle: good response from both fans and the press and spectacular live shows. Unfortunately Fedel decided to leave the band, he was replaced by Ciro Fogliatta and these musicians released the second album entitled “Libre y Natural”. Because of lack of support from the record company, musical disputes and a lot of stress ESPIRITU disbanded in ’76.
In ’81 the record company invited Osvaldo and Fernando to make a new album, they had to search for new musicians because the other three original members were not able to join or not to trace. In ’82 ESPIRITU finally released “Espiritu III”, a year later followed by “En Movimiento” and in ’96 the live album “Espiritu Live” in The Obras stadium ‘82” was released (“En Vivo En Obras” was the original title). In 2001 Osvaldo started to search for musicians in order to resurrect ESPIRITU. Despite the terrible circumstances in Argentina to make progrock (the media ignores it totally!) he succeeded, Osvaldo’s son Fredirico was one of them! In 2003 this new line-up released “Fronteras Magicas”. It was presented live in the ND Theatre on December 10th in 2003.
The first album “Crisalida” is their best effort, it contains beautiful and alternating compositions with many changing atmospheres (from mellow with acoustic guitar to up-tempo with heavy electric guitar), lush keyboards and some vocal harmonies. The most obvious hints are GENESIS and YES but the music is also often compared with the early Italian progrock like PFM and SEMIRAMIS, very melodic with lots of captivating musical ideas.
By Erik Neuteboom, The NETHERLANDS

Track Listings
1. Nada que decirte (3:57)
2. Frío (7:26)
3. Libre y Natural (8:14)
4. Imágenes ténues y transparentes (7:29)
5. Deselectriza tu mente (10:14)
6. Caleidoscopios (3:33)
7. Psicosis 2002 (4:31)
8. Una palabra (4:46)
9. Ciudad de locos (5:04)
10. Guardianes en pie ( 5:14)
11. Sueños blancos ideas negras (7:38)
12. Sabios de vida (8:56)

Line-up/Musicians
- Osvaldo Favrot / electric & acoustic guitars, backing vocal
- Ernesto Romeo / keyboards
- Horacio Ardiles / drums & percussion
- Federico Favrot / bass, backing vocal
- Pablo Guglielmino / vocal
- Angel Mahler / keyboards (10)

SYMPHONIC SLAM - Symphonic Slam [1976] Prog Related (Canada)

Symphonic Slam was mainly about Timo Laine (born in Finland, and moved to America as a child), and his polyphonic guitar synthesizer. The rest of the band was filled out by drummer John Lowery, and keyboardist David Stone.Timo had been playing the club circuit for a while, but it wasn't until he relocated to Canada that things began to happen. It was there that Symphonic Slam was discovered by A&M Records. What set them apart was the $10,000 360 systems guitar synthesizer prototype. This led to the release of their 1976 self-titled album.They toured, and played gigs with some of the big names of the time (Rush, The Rolling Stones, and the Village People). Soon they were asked to go to L.A. to work on a new album. Not being interested in this tack, Stone took the opportunity to defect to Rainbow.After the album was completed, A&M wasn't pleased (they wanted disco). Timo took it to Canada, and created his own label on which to release it. It had some modest success, but Laine wasn't interested in going back to L.A. to fight disco once again.Musea's 2001 re-release of the first album inspired Timo to get back on the horse. Apparently he had been working on another album for many years. "Her Fire" is supposed to be released some time in the future. He is also working on an instrumental solo project.You can hear some influences of Styx, Kansas, Wakeman, Emerson, a bit of E.L.O., and even some funk. However, this is not like most of what we consider to be the classic '70s progressive sound. Some of those qualities are woven in, and there are some lovely moments. But make no mistake, this is mid 70's rock and roll at the core. The main point of interest here is really the fact that Laine basically pioneered the synth guitar. It was a very new thing at the time.

H.T. Riekels (bhikkhu)

Track Listings
1. Universe (6:37)
2. Everytime (4:21)
3. Fold Back (2:50)
4. I Won't Cry (2:55)
5. Let It Grow (3:56)
6. Modane Train (4:19)
7. Times Run Short (2:48)
8. Days (instrumental) (5:00)
9. Summer Rain (3:53)
10. How Do You Stand (before The Lord) (4:56)

Line-up/Musicians
- Timo Laine / guitar synthesizers, guitar, vocals
- John Lowery / drums, backing vocals
- David Stone / keyboards, backing vocals

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TRILOGY - Here It Is [1979] Symphonic Prog (Germany)

Fans of complex German space progressive rock fans will groove with this release. "Here It Is" combines the keyboard workout of ELP with the atmosphere of GROBSCHNITT and GENESIS. This is a purely instrumental album featuring a five-piece lineup of dual keyboards, electric and acoustic guitars, bass and drums. The music has intricate layers combined with sharp soloing. Lovers of analog keyboards will drool in your sleep over this release.....

Track Listings
1. Venice (4:31)
2. Breakthrough (6:04)
3. Changing Scene (9:17)
4. Andy (6:10)
5. Crowed (12:42)
6. Encore (0:33)
7. Treibsand (5:50)

Line-up/Musicians
- Jochen Kirsten / keyboards
- Guido Harding / keyboards
- Detlef Deeken / guitars
- Ludger Samson / bass
- Martin Breuer / drums

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WIGWAM - Some Several Moons [2005] Jazz Rock/Fusion (Finland)

Track Listings
1. (Intro) (0:12)
2. Chord Squad (4:52)
3. Sandpainting (4:04)
4. Bow Lane (5:42)
5. Kabul Grill (6:03)
6. Cloudy Dream (9:33)
7. Deep Pop (Before The Only One Comes) (6:07)
8. Squaw Valley Non-Event (9:22)
9. Tokyo Joe (One Roll From Paradise) (5:45)
10. Banging On The Ceiling (3:54)
11. Cacobe Bar Two-Step (5:06)

Line-up/Musicians
- Jim Pembroke / vocals, piano, backing vocals
- Pekka Rechardt / guitars
- Esa Kotilainen / keyboards
- Jari Kettunen / drums and percussion
- Mats Huldén / bass, backing vocals

Guest musicians:
- Michael Monroe / harmonica, tenor saxophone
- Olli Kari / marimba
- Ari Pitkänen / tuba

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JONESY - Growing [1973] Heavy Prog (United Kingdom)

JONESY were an early 70's band in the style of KING CRIMSON but with the unusual element of electric trumpet from Alan Bown. Other band members were John Evan-Jones - guitar & backing vocals, Jamie Kaleth - lead vocals & keyboards (including some excellent Mellotron), Gypsy Jones - lead vocals, bass guitar & recorders and Plug Thomas - percussion and backing vocals.They recorded three albums on the Dawn Label "No Alternative", "Keeping Up" and "Growing". All are strong with the aforementioned KING CRIMSON influences. All can be approached with a degree of assurity but "Keeping Up" is probably the strongest of the three. All were reissued on CD by Korean label S-Wan. Strongly recommended..!

By Dave Preston, ENGLAND

Track Listings
1. Can You Get That Together (8:28)
2. Waltz for Yesterday (4:11)
3. Know Who Your Friends Are (6:14)
4. Growing (5:04)
5. Hard Road (3:56)
6. Jonesy [instrumental] (11:40)

Line-up/Musicians
- Alan Bown / trumpet, percussion
- Ken Elliot / synthesizers
- Bernie Hagley / saxophone
- Gypsy Jones / guitar, vocals
- John Evans Jones / guitar, vocals
- Jamie Kaleth / keyboards, Mellotron, vocals
- Morris Pert / percussion
- Plug Thomas / drums, vocals

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DULL KNIFE - Electric Indian [1971] Krautrock (Germany)

Track Listing
1 Plastic People
2 Go Down to the River
3 Lonely is the Man Kind
4 Walk Along the Muddy Road
5 Tumberlin Down
6 Song of a Slave
7 Feeling Like a Queen
8 Day of Wrath

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MAN – Do You Like It Here Now, Are You Settling In Alright [1971] Psychedelic/Space Rock (United Kingdom)

Track Listings
1. Angel Easy (4:57)
2. All Good Clean Fun (4:31)
3. We're Only Children (8:18)
4. Many Are Called But Few Get Up (7:22)
5. Manillo (5:26)
6. Love Your Life (8:37)

Line-up/Musicians
- Micky Jones/ guitars, vocals
- Deke Leonard/ guitars, piano, vocals
- Terry Williams/ drums, percussion
- Clive John/ organ, piano, vocals
- Martin Ace/ bass, acoustic guitar, vocals

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CABARET DU CIEL – Blue Form [2006] (France)

TRACK LISTING
1. Under Scan
2. Suspendu En L'air
3. Shedoling
4. Sirens
5. Sentimental Act
6. Nimue
7. Sin
8. Borderline
9. Capitivity
10. Blue Return
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BLACK WIDOW - Black Widow [1998] Heavy Prog (United Kingdom)

Track Listings
1. In ancient days (9:28)
2. Way to power (4:08)
3. Come to the sabbat (4:11)
4. Conjuration (5:53)
5. Seduction (4:41)
6. Attack of the demon (3:57)
7. Sacrifice (10:48)

Line-up/Musicians
- Jim Gannon / lead guitar, vibes, spanish guitar
- Zoot Taylor / organ, piano
- Kip Trevor / lead vocals
- Kay Garret / lead vocals
- Clive Jones / flute, saxophone, clarinet
- Bob Bond / bass guitar
- Clive Box / drums & percussion

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