Pascal Duffard - "Dieu Est Fou" {France} [1976] (zeuhl)

well i couldnt find english review, here is german one: "Passend zum soeben durchlebten Zeuhl-Spektakel in der Johanniskirche in Würzburg soll heute von einer Scheibe die Rede sein, die zeigt, bis in welche Bereiche der populären französischen Musik der Einfluss von Christian Vanders Kultband Magma Mitte der 70er vorgedrungen war. Ausgehend von den zahlreichen, hauptsächlich dem Jazz entliehenen Instrumentalisten, die nach Ende ihres Gastspiels die arrangementtechnischen und kompositorischen Eigenheiten des Vanderschen Oeuvre in ihre eigenen Projekte einbrachten, grassierte der Zeuhlvirus natürlich hauptsächlich im Jazzrock und allem, was man dafür halten konnte. Aber selbst im Folk und tatsächlich auch in der Vertonung von Poesie, in Frankreich als "Chanson" bekannt und geliebt, kam diese schwer beschreibbare Melange aus bassbetonter Polyrhythmik, flirrenden hypnotisch-repetitiven Klangmustern und neutönerisch gefärbten Melodiefetzen zu Ehren. Eine dieser allerdings nicht sonderlich zahlreichen französischen Scheiben ist Pascal Duffards "Dieu est fou". Er hatte sich zu seinem ersten und einzigen Album, 1976 auf dem Majorlabel CBS erschienen und von Giorgio Gomelsky produziert, einige Magma- bzw. ZAO-Mitstreiter der frühen Jahre geholt, um seine lyrischen Ergüsse mit einem 5stimmigen Chor, diversen Bläsern und dem üblichen Rock-Line Up zu vertonen. Quer durch die gesamte abendländische Musikkultur des 20. Jahrhunderts tobt der Komponist, Pianist, Arrangeur und Sänger mit Unterstützung von 18(!) illustren Gästen wie Francis Moze, Yochk'o Seffer, Claude Engel und anderen Größen der französischen Jazz(Rock)-Szene. 42 Minuten Spielzeit verteilen sich ziemlich gleichmäßig auf 6 Songs, deren Instrumental- und Gesangsanteile sich in etwa die Waage halten. Stravinsky und Zappa lassen grüßen, die Walkürenchöre drohen wagnerianisch und mutieren zwischendurch zu magmaesken Vokalgebilden, Bass und Schlagzeug lassen sperrige Rhythmik entstehen, und trotzdem wirkt das Ganze wie aus einem Guss. Wie fast immer bei solchen Hybriden - man kennt das ja zur Genüge aus dem Progressiverock - war dem Album kein kommerzieller Erfolg beschieden: zu rockig für die elitäre Avantgarde, zu schräg und sperrig selbst noch für Zeuhl-Gewohnte. Die kleine Auflage hat allerdings über die Jahre zu einem solchen Preisanstieg in der Sammlerszene geführt, dass eventuell zum Verkauf bereite Besitzer dieser Scheibe zumindest jetzt eine dreistellige Summe fordern können." (review by Charly Heidenreich)

thanks to my friend Zen :)







Máquina! - "Why? Máquina!" {Spain} [1970] (Psycho Prog) (@320)

Máquina! is maybe the very first underground rock group to have recorded in Franco’s Spain, their first single dating back to early 69, and the following year, their first Lp was out with a striking artwork depicting a clock coming out from a croissant meaning that it was time to wake-up (and have breakfast) in Spain: The album was called Why? Máquina! and it was clearly so rebellious under a dictature that fellow group Tapiman (and Barcelona crosstown rivals/friends) answered them with a track Don’t Ask Why. The five-piece group developed a high-energy Hammond-driven psych/prog rock with two lead guitarists, with many extraordinary musical moments given the context of those years. It is not known if Guitarist Paris is related to Pan & Regaliz’s singer Guillem Paris.
Two years later, the group recorded with a different line-up (both guitarists having left) their next album live with a much different bluesier sound complete with a brass section (and almost all new material) reminiscent of Chicago Transit Authority.
I am at a loss to explain what became of these guys, since Máquina! disbanded, but their legacy remains, with a superb and stunning debut album and a quite pleasant follow-up. http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=2383

01. I Believe (4:15)
02. Why? (11:51)
03. Why? (continuacio) (12:54)
04. Let Me Be Born (3:06)
Bonus
05. Earth’s Daughter (2:55)
06. Look Away Our Hapiness (7:05)

- JM Paris / guitars
- Luis Cabanach / guitars, bass
- JM Vilaseca / drums
- Enrique Herrera / keyboards
- Jordi Batiste / vocals, flute, bass

01. I Believe ....
02. Why?.....

Link for download "Máquina! Why? Máquina!" in comments ...

Saint Just - "La Casa Del Lago" {Italy} [1974] (Prog Folk)

SAINT JUST was a seventies Italian progressive group but not really reminiscent of the typical Italian sound. Influences from folk, psychedelic and classical can be heard in their music. The most remarkable instrument in their music is the vocals of Jane Sorrenti that float above the music. Her vocal delivery is definitely an acquired taste. The group released only two albums and the line-up is very different in these two albums. In the 1st album there were only three official members of which the saxophonist Robert Fix was not included in the 2nd album. For their 2nd album the remaining members Jane Sorrenti and Antonio Verde (classical guitar, bass) added electric guitarists Tito Rinesi and Andrea Faccenda as well as a drummer Fulvio Maras.
The first self-titled album, released in 1973, is more acoustic than the predecessor “La Casa del Lago”, released in 1974, which is more in the classic Italian tradition and therefore more easily accessible. Both albums are considered very good. http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=987

01. Tristana (6:41)
02. Nella Vita, Un Pianto (11:04)
03. Viaggio Nel Tempo (6:33)
04. La Casa del Lago (6:28)
05. Messicano (5:28)
06. La Terra della Verita (2:44)

- Jenny Sorrenti / vocals
- Antonio Verde / guitar, bass, vocals
- Robert Fix / sax (1973)
- Tito Rinesi / guitar, vocals (1974)
- Andrea Faccenda / guitar, keyboards (1974)
- Fulvio Maras / drums, percussion (1974)

Guests:
- Alan Sorrenti
- Gianni Guarracino
- Tony Esposito


01. Tristana ...
04. La Casa del Lago ...


Link for download "Saint Just - La Casa Del Lago" in comments ...

Jeffery Liberman - "Solitude Within" {USA} [1975]

Solitude Within LP. Rare private press 1975 psychedelic guitar rock from Illinois. He released a few different albums on his own Librah label, but this is often said to be the best of the bunch. http://www.rockadrome.com/superstore/product_info.php?cPath=&products_id=1658

01 - I Can't Change (3:51)
02 - Springtime (2:37)
03 - Rock Or Roll Me (3:42)
04 - Life is Just a Show (2:34)
05 - A Myopic Euphoria (1:44)
06 - Woman (4:40)
07 - Solitude Within (2:43)
08 - Soft and Tasty (2:25)
09 - The Same Old Blues (3:31)
10 - Transition (3:29)

- Jeff Liberman / vocals, lead guitar, rhythm guitar,percussion, bass
- Phillip Uptemple / bass
- Dan Lomas / synthesizers, bass, horns
- Thomas Radlock / drums, percussion

Thanks to ZaXXoN for the rip & info

03 - Rock Or Roll Me ......
07 - Solitude Within ...

Link for download "Jeffery Liberman - Solitude Within" in comments ...

"Zontanoi Sto Kyttaro"{GREECE} [1971] (greek rock)


zontanoi sto kyttaro is one of the best records in the history of greek rock,recorded live in the club "Kyttaro" in athens,this compilation includes the best names from greek rock scene of the '70s.
tracklist :
1. Despoina Glezou - Aposmitika
2. Despoina Glezou - Ta Epikaira
3. Damon kai Fidias - Apogoiteusi
4. Exadaktylos - To Ksexasmeno Pigadi
5. Stella Gadedi & Bourboulia of Savopoulos - Mauri Thalasa
6. Socrates Drank The Conium - Ilektrikos Socrates
7. Damon kai Fidias - O Gero Mathios
8. Exadaktylos - O Aneprokopos
enjoy.....
link in comments

Morka - "There Was A Time..." {GREECE} [1973] (psy - rock)


Probably the best psychedelic band that ever came from Greece. With members coming from Greece, USA and Canada and with a british female vocalist, "There was a time…" is here to blow your mind away!!! The band begun in 1970 as STONE DEEP and is responsible for the production of the rarest greek private single nowadays. Followed by many line-up changes, MORKA presented 2 more singles for Greek POLYDOR in 1972 and the next year they made their 7-track magnus-opus demo. This album contains all their 3 singles plus the 7 tracks of the unreleased back in 1973 demo. All the elements that make an album to be a treasure for the psychoheads are present. Excellent male-female vocals (all but one sung in english), lots of harmonies and melodies, tons of fuzzy guitars and bombastic drum breaks. The late 60's american psychedelic and the early 70's british acid-folk influences are obvious in this album but MORKA play their own music.
enjoy......
link in comments

Orexis - "Inspiration & Reflection" {Germany} ['78 - '79] (jazz fusion)

Somewhere it says, "Six cuts are exquisite jazz-rock, top-notch in this area. Two cuts are stunning sitar-rock pieces with strong oriental leanings and they are worth the price ten times over!" One of the musician in these albums is Trilok Gurtu. Good work.

(Inspiration)LP SideA..

47 times it's own weight - "Cumulo Nimbus " {USA} [1976] (jazz fusion)

Well i couldnt find a good review to copy/paste. Nice fusion from Austin Texas. Informations for the band welcome.

March of the Gooper Hoppers..

Catherine Ribeiro + Alpes - "Paix" {France} [1972] (avant)(kindly submitted by Jeff)

"Here is the translation of the first song;

I would like to love you one year, two years, ten years
To love you up to the point that I miss the energy to love you
That the happiness to love you disappears
And then I could love
Someone else than you
Something else than you
Love again without end
Love as I love you now
In spite of the frustration of your presence
In spite of the absence.
Unnecessary painful sorrow
Nevertheless, how necessary
Vital to our spirits of fools
What a mess that this so love poured to others than you
But perhaps ... what a superb resurrection of the life

I also have "La déboussole" and "Libertés" - Post a comment if interested"

Enjoy !

Our thanks goes to Jeff :)

Il Giro Strano - "Divina Commedia" {Italy} [1973] (prog rock) (kindly submitted by Jeff)


"IL GIRO STRANO explore the heavy depths of 70's progressive rock getting into some pretty heavy moments. They improvised symphonic progressive songs with nice driven and sometimes experimental and a nice mixture of hammond organ, heavy and emotional (almost hard rock) vocals, drums, electric guitar, electric bass, some sax and heavy flute."La Divina Commedia" is another one of those prog gems. For the adventurous ears of people who dig 70's prog, lovers open to hammond organ experimenting, heavy flute prog,...A great GEM from Italy !"

Enjoy!

Our thanks goes to Jeff :)

Urubamba - "En Vivo" {Peru} [197X] (psych folk) (as requested)

"You've heard this wonderful instrumental South American group if you've heard "El Condor Pasa" by Simon & Garfunkel or "Duncan" by Paul Simon. Known as los Incas when Simon first encountered them in 1965 while appearing on the same bill in Paris, the renamed quartet produced an appealing debut. "Kacharpari" was recorded during Simon's Live Rhymin' tour in 1973. Using traditional Andean instruments that can sound otherworldly to North American ears, Urubamba covers a wide emotional range, following the eerie "Death in Santa Cruz" with the joyous "Good News Pan Pipes." The group is named for the river that winds at the foot of Machu Picchu, the final fortified city of the Incas. (Mark Allan, All Music Guide)"

Para Pelusa..

related post: http://prognotfrog.blogspot.com/2006/09/urubamba-urubamba-peru-1974-192.html

well sorry, i couldnt find a coverart, also sound quality is not so good. Enjoy!