| # | Artist | Song (click to play) | Album | Year | CD label | My Gnosis Rating |
| 1 | Ashra | Sunrain | New Age of Earth | 1976 | Caroline | - |
|
"After the dissolution of Ash Ra Temple, Manuel
Gottsching started putting out solo electronic works
under the moniker Ashra. This is his first such
outing, and is one of my top favorite electronic
albums. He handles all keyboards and guitars, and
creates a mesmorizing and very atmospheric layer of
sound. A great album to relax and drift off to late
at night." - Alan Mallery
Manuel Göttsching - Ashra | ||||||
| 2 | Lake | On the Run | Lake | 1976 | Renaissance Records | 10 |
|
Lake is not really a progressive rock band. They are probably best
described as art-rock. The band primarily draws its sound from English
and American bands like Supertramp. The music is undeniably pop oriented,
with somewhat simple song structures, but, has a certain edge to it
that I find appealing. It's not an album that I can listen to for
days on end, because there is not enough variety or depth to the music,
but, it is a very nice guilty pleasure to listen to every once in a
while.
Lake Tribute Page | ||||||
| 3 | Yatha Sidhra | A Meditation Mass - Part 1 (excerpt) | A Meditation Mass | 1974 | Laser's Edge | 10 |
| A spacey mellow krautrock jam with flute, bongos, piano... Comparable to Popul Vuh, with elements of the mellower side of Aphrodite's Child's _666_ or Vangelis' earliest solo albums. The music is generally repetitive and improvisational. | ||||||
| 4 | Kraan | Jerk of Life | Live | 1975 | Intecord | 13 |
|
This double-album represent the peak of Kraan's recorded output. It is largely
instrumental and contains nothing but great material from their earlier albums.
The music is upbeat progressive with a little funk and eastern influences.
The CD release is impossible to find, but, should be coming out this year
from EMI as all Kraan releases are being re-issued.
Official Kraan Website Kraan | ||||||
| 5 | Popol Vuh | Oh Wie Nah Ist Der Weg Hinab | Letzte Tage Letzte Nachte | 1976 | High Tide | 11 |
|
Yet another very fine album by Popol Vuh with the trademark atmospheric
guitar and piano. This particular song stands out for me because it seems
to represent a certain weariness, a long march, yet, continuing on.
Then the second half of the song is like having reached the promised land,
so to speak. Amon Duul II's vocalist Renate Knaup is featured on this album.
Popol Vuh | ||||||
| 6 | Hoelderlin | Streaming | Clowns and Clouds | 1976 | WMMS | 12 |
| Accessable and pleasant progressive, with some similarities to Caravan. In addition to the usual keys, guitar, bass, & drums lineup, violin and flute are featured. I have heard all of the Hoelderlin album up to Rare Birds & Live Traumstadt and they are all excellent. Unfortunately, the CD releases are all OOP now, so if you see one, don't hesitate to pick it up! This particular song reminds me somewhat of the Frech band Carpe Diem. | ||||||