| # | Artist | Song (click to play) | Album | Year | CD label |
| 1 | Edhels | Aries-Belier | Astro Logical | 1991 | Musea |
| Edhels is primarily the project of guitarist Marc Ceccotti. Marc's guitar timbre is often similar to Allan Holdsworth circa I.O.U. and Bill Connors' 80's solo recordings. The band is all-instrumental on the 2 albums that I have by them. There is also a solo album by Marc Ceccotti on the Italian Mellow Records label in which Marc plays all of the instruments. Despite the fusion guitar-hero leaning, the music is very symphonic and sometimes electronic. Edhels is also likened as a more accessible version of Djam Karet. | |||||
| 2 | Archaia | Sur les traces du Vieux Roy | Archaia | 1977 | Soleil Zeuhl |
| This sole release is highly regarded among many seasoned prog-fans. I am a bit befuddled as to why at this point - I just don't get it. I think that it is growing on me a little bit, though. The vocals are more of chant, and very similar to Magma's, especially Kohntarkosz - of which Archaia has even lifted melodic ideas from. There is also a good dose of electronics, and psych/folk elements. Perhaps it is the mixing of all these disparate elements that does not make it click for me. It never ceases to amaze me the diversity of styles represented in progressive music. This is one of those albums that made me say "I have never heard of anything quite like this before. I do not know what to make of it." | |||||
| 3 | Terpandre | Le Temps | Terpandre | 1981 | Musea |
| Terpandre's sole release is prog album with fusion leanings as well as a classical influence of the romantic type. There are two keyboardists, but, they do not take the forefront. The violinist Patrick Tillman, of Zao and Forgas, takes the lead in directing the melodic elements of the music. His playing is not overstated, though. There is a nice balance of all musicians. Hey! - and there is mellotron. But, overall, I think it is just above average on the prog map. | |||||
| 4 | Hellebore | Warme Wasser mit Grass / Umanak - Marquis de Saint Cricq | Il Y A Des Jours | 1984 | AYAA (LP only) |
| Hellebore sounds ALOT like Etron Fou Leloublan. There are some nice melodic moments and there are also crazy avant-garde moments. I could not pick out a single song that represented both aspects, so I recorded 2 short songs to give an idea of the range of styles. This album appears to be on a label that had a handful of other obscrure releases. It is a decent record to pick up, if you can find it. There are half-a-dozen artististic prints that come with the LP, which itself is a very nice textured piece of artwork. | |||||
| 5 | Saino | Atlantide | Saino | 1982 | Private (LP only) |
| Guitar-led instrumental prog. The music is similar to the first 2 Camel albums in sound and composition style. There are 2 guitarist - one is credited with lead-guitar and the other rhythm. They oftentimes double on the melodic lines. The lead guitarist sometimes reminds me of Mike Oldfield's lead guitar style and sound. This is a very solid album with no weak spots. This release is not impossible to find. I believe that New Sonic Architecture may have copies. This album is easily recommended for fans of instrumental guitar-led fusion. | |||||
| 6 | Minimum Vital | Sarabandes n2 | Sarabandes | 1990 | Musea |
| Minimum Vital is a mostly instrumental band. The vocals seem to be influenced somewhat by Peter Gabriel's 80's releases, particularly in the layering and textures, and the way that the music interacts with them. The music is quite original and highly recommended. Every prog fan should have at least one Minimum Vital release. This album is regarded by many as their best. The second choice goes to the first 2 albums which are released by Musea as a 2-on-1 CD: "Envol Triangles/ Les Saisons Marines". Later albums have gone in a more pop/prog direction with more vocals. I have not heard their 1993 "La Source", but, the 1996 "Esprit d'Amor", does not appeal to me very much. | |||||