| # | Artist | Song (click to play) | Album | Year | CD label |
| 1 | Sahara | Sunrise (excerpt) | Sunrise | 1973 | Ohrwaschl |
| Sahara grew out of the band Subject Esq, but, with the addition of ex-Out of Focus keyboardist Hennes Hering! Sahara's style is more of a 70's British/American prog style with some strong Yes affinities. The excellent vocals are in English and remind me of the American band Gypsy or of Barclay James Harvest. The 2nd side of the album is an amazing 27 minute track that covers a lot of ground, of which you are hearing a sample. The overall sound of the band is very accessible, but still experimental. An excellent album that should appeal to a wide range of progressive music fans. The last part of this excerpt reminds me of Gentle Giant circa _Three Friends_. | |||||
| 2 | Bayon | Synthetic Waltz | First Recordings | 1973 | Wydawnictwo |
| A very unique band from East Germany. At times the music is an all acoustic folk psychedelic akin to Third Ear Band or Algarnas Trädgård. The unusual folk and ethnic elements are always present, though, even on this tremendous Mahavishnu-esque electric jam on the song featured here. The _First Recordings_ CD is the only thing by the band that is available on CD at this time. The recordings on this CD are from 1971-1973. Their first full-length album was not released until 1978. I would love to hear more of their material, but, I cannot seem to get my grubby little hands on any. | |||||
| 3 | Embryo | A Place to Go | Rocksession | 1973 | Repertoire/Brain |
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Cosidered to be one of Embryo's top albums. The music is a fusion of
jazz and space rock. Some top musicians with dazzling interplay while
no one musician attempts to take center stage. In addition to guitar,
bass, drums, and keys you get marimba, vibes, violin, and a healthy
dose of assorted percussive embellishments. A very cool album.
Embryo's Homepage Embryo History & Discography | |||||
| 4 | Ash Ra Tempel | Schingungen (excerpt) | Schwingungen | 1972 | Spalax |
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The second album by Ash Ra Tempel, adds a couple of new and returning
musicians. The music is a little more elaborate with some un-intrusive
saxophone, and lots more percussive enhancements. I find the vocalist
to be a bit annoying, though. The music features Manuel Gottsching's
trademark distorted space guitar sound, which reminds of Steve Hillage.
AshraTom says "Completely brain fried Krautrock from the depths of madness.
Acid guitar, electronics, hand percussion , a maniacal singer."
Manuel Göttsching - Ashra | |||||
| 5 | Tomorrow's Gift | Der Geier fliegt vorbei | Goodbye Future | 1973 | LP only (& boot CDR available) |
| This is the 2nd of only 2 Tomorrow's Gift releases. This album is completely different from the first, though, with only the bassist and keyboardist remaining from the first album. There is a definate Canterbury flair to the music, ala Soft Machine Volume 2. On this track, you would swear there is a guitar, but, it is apparently all keyboards. This is a tremendous instrumental classic. The band would later morph into the more fusiony band Release Music Orchestra. | |||||