| # | Artist | Song (click to play) | Album | Year | CD label |
| 1 | Dr. Folamour | India Song | Dr. Folamour | 1996 | Musea |
| Here is a new instrumental progressive music that is sometimes generally hard-rock with ethnic touches ala Kingston Wall. I find the most obvious comparison to be Steve Vai, especially his _Passion and Warfare_ album. The guitar player also exhibits many Satrianisms throughout the album. This is modern progressive rock that does not rehash old 70's ideas, but, is more intune with current sounds. | |||||
| 2 | Jean Michel Jarre | Oxygene (part 4) | Oxygene | 1976 | Polydor |
| I almost forgot how great this album is until I played it this past weekend. It is a truly ground-breaking album that foisted electronic music into the popular culture. Many snippets of music from this album have been used in commercials and TV programs, especially in the late 70's and early 80's. The music is oftentimes spacey and eerie, and always introspective. | |||||
| 3 | Joel Dugrenot | Cycles | Boomerang | 1982 | SFPP (LP) |
| This solo album by ex-Zao bassist is a top-notch prog/fusion album reminiscent of Pekka Pohjola's work. The song here reminds me of the song "Giant Bohemoth" on Joe Walsh's _Barnstorm_ album. Lots of great violin playing by David Rose. There is something that is appealing to a well done solo album by a bass player. The bass takes more of a melodic role. This album was released on CD, but, it very rare. If you find it, buy it, and then sell it to me :-) | |||||
| 4 | Philharmonie | Philharmonie | Philharmonie | 1993 | Cuneiform |
| I have heard this band compared to Fripp's Legaue of Crafty Guitarist, of whom I have not heard, so I cannot vouch for that comparison. On this album , their first, the group is simply an electric guitar trio. On subsequent albums, Chapman stick was added, as well as some percussion. The notable musician in the band is Frederic L'Epee of Shylock. Although I am fairly knew to the group, this one is my favorite of theirs that I have listened to over the past few weeks. The interplay between the musicians is virtuosic and very interesting. | |||||
| 5 | Kadwaladyr | Dragon Gwenn, Dragon Ruz | The Last Hero | 1995 | Musea |
| This is definately a "major chord" group. That is, they tend toward the happy/uplifting compositions. It is prog with a marked celtic touch both in instrumentation and melodies. I am reminded alot of Wishbone Ash's instrumental _Nouveau Calls_ album. The band has shortened their name to Kad and released an album called _18.61_ . Anyone heard that one? | |||||
| 6 | Richard Pinhas | Variations IV Sur le Theme de Bene Gesserit | Chronolyse | 1976 | Cuneiform |
| Although recorded in 1976, this was released in 1978 as Richard's second solo album. The first half, is sequenced keyboard electronics, of which this song is a taste. The second half is a 30+ minute intense guitar/bass/drum/keyboard jam not unlike the best Heldon work. | |||||
| 7 | Sotos | Tango | Sotos | 1999 | Gazul (Musea) |
| Wow, this is great stuff here. This is the debut of a new group that is already extremely accomplished. I hear alot of Etron Fou, Present, Univers Zero and Red-era King Crimson. There are 4 songs on this CD which average about 17 minutes. In addition to the usual instrumentaion of guitar, bass, drums, there is also cello, flute, and violin. Unlike the aforementioned RIO groups, this band leaves lots of room for improvisation and intricate jamming, which is where the Crimson comes in. Highly recommended. | |||||
| 8 | Forgas Band Phenomena | Declic | Roue Libre | 1997 | Cosmos Music |
| This is a nice Canterbury influenced prog/fusion album, that leans more towards the jazz side of things. The band includes Mireille Bauer , ex-Gong, on Marimba and Vibraphone. Even though this album just came out in 1997, I believe that it may already be OOP! Wayside's mail-order service has it though. This is a nice choice for Canterbury fusion fans. | |||||