| # | Artist | Song (click to play) | Album | Year | CD label | My Gnosis Rating |
| 1 | Eloy | Lost?? (The Decision) | Dawn | 1976 | EMI / Si-Wan | 11 |
|
On Eloy's 5th album guitarist/vocalist Frank Bornemann brings in a whole
new band that would remain for the couple of albums which are probably
their most well-known and appreciated. Although I was skeptical at first,
I have grown to really like this album. Eloy are known to draw on the
Pink Floyd sound, but, on this album I think some comparisons could be
made to The Who's Quadrophenia, as well.
Eloy Homepage | ||||||
| 2 | Minotaurus | Lonely Seas | Fly Away | 1977 | Lost Pipe Dreams | 8 |
| A decent but not exceptional progressive. There are some hints of Eloy, Jane, Kyrie Eleison. The songs are somewhat song-oriented and slightly commercial. | ||||||
| 3 | Michael Hoenig | Sun and Moon | Departure From The Northern Wasteland | 1977 | Kuckuck | 12 (Alan's) |
|
"Michael Hoenig began his career as synthesist for the
band Agitation Free. In 1975 he became a temporary
member of Tangerine Dream when Peter Baumann
temporarily left that band. Then he collaborated with
Manual Gottsching on the 'Early Water' album. This is
his 1st solo outing, and is a very good spacy
electronic album firmly in the Berlin school style.
This is a short track that ends the album. Nowadays
he lives in California and composes jingles and
soundtracks." - Alan Mallery
Michael Hoenig | ||||||
| 4 | Jane | Air (Superman) | Fire, Water, Earth & Air | 1976 | Metronome/Brain | 9 |
|
Jane's fifth album playing a guitar oriented hard-rock progressive. Although
I have not heard a lot of them, Jane makes me think of Mott the Hoople with
the long drawn out guitar ballad style. The music on this album is on
the simpler side of progressive, but, very atmospheric, which adds a lot of
charm. The vocal style here reminds me of the first Novalis album.
Jane | ||||||
| 5 | Grobschnitt | Ernie's Reise (excerpt) | Rockpommel's Land | 1977 | Metronome | 11 |
|
Grobschnitt's fourth studio album. Delicate dual lead guitars and
theatrical vocals dominate the music. Very fine. Grobschnitt reminds me a
little of Fruupp, Gentle Giant, and Man at times.
Grobschnitt | ||||||
| 6 | Stern-Combo Meissen | Eine Nacht auf dem Kahlen Berge | Stern-Combo Meissen | 1977 | Hansa Musik Produktion (?) | 10 |
|
Stern-Combo Meissen is from the East German city of Meissen. This, their
first album, was recorded live. They had apparently been together for a
very long time before having the opportunity to release their first album.
All vocals are in German, which is unique, as it seems most German
symphonic progressive bands sing in English. I am reminded mostly of
the Austrian band Eela Craig with the emphasis on all sorts of keyboards
and synths and the classical music nature of the compositions.
The Official Stern Combo Meissen Homepage | ||||||