| # | Artist | Song (click to play) | Album | Year | CD label |
| 1 | Embryo | Call (excerpt) | Steig Aus | 1972 | Repertoire |
|
Embryo first formed in 1969 by ex-Amon Duul II percussionist Christian
Burchard and is still carrying on releasing albums under the Embryo name.
I have only heard 2 of their most respected prog albums, _Steig Aus_ and
_Rocksession_, but, reportedly all of their output up to the present is
respectable. Their style has always explored realms of ethnic musics and
jazz fusion, but, moved further in that direction in the late 70's and
through the 80's and 90's. The music on this album is an exploratory
psychedelic tinged improvisational jazzy progressive. Highly recommended.
Embryo's Homepage Klaus Unland's Embryo Seite | |||||
| 2 | Brave New World | Malpais Corn Dance | Impressions on Reading Aldous Huxley | 1972 | LP only |
| A truly great classic that has yet to be released on CD. The music is entirely instrumental save some atmospheric, almost Gregorian, choir like vocals. The album has a fantastical other-worldly mood that kind of reminds me of the Brazilian _ Lula Cortes y Ze Ramalho_ album. Lots of interesting and unusual percussion and wind-instruments. A very captivating album. | |||||
| 3 | Emtidi | Saat | Saat | 1972 | Spalax |
| Considered a classic of psychedelic progressive folk. I would say it is comparable somewhat to Catherine Ribeiro & Alpes or Hoelderlin's Traum. Loads of mellotron, vibes, and flute for an interesting sound. | |||||
| 4 | Subject Esq. | Alone | Subject Esq. | 1972 | Ohrwaschl |
|
Subject Esq. are an early version of the band Sahara. This album is pretty
much in the same vein as Sahara, but, not as well-developed or complex.
The band has an identifiable Yes-influence which is even more pronounced on
the Sahara albums. The vocals are a high point with Subject Esq/Sahara for
me, sometimes resembling Barclay James Harvest or the American band Gypsy.
The 2 Sahara albums are much better.
Ohrwaschl Records | |||||
| 5 | Passport | Mandragora | Doldinger (aka Second Passport) | 1972 | Atlantic/WEA |
| Passport is more or less Klaus Doldinger and whatever musicians he has assembled at the time. The early years of the band are quite interesting and perhaps groundbreaking in a somewhat accessible jazz/fusion. Later the band put out a long string of pedestrian jazz/fusion records. Many notable musicians passed through Passport, including people from Embryo, Amon Duul II, Tetragon, Triumvirat... Klaus Doldinger also went on to write some movie soundtracks including "Das Boot" and "The Neverending Story". I find the early Passport albums comparable to the English fusion bands Nucleus and Isotope. | |||||
| 6 | Pell Mell | The Clown and the Queen | Marburg | 1972 | Bellaphon/Baclilus Records |
| Great anthemic hard-rock progressive. Reminds me a little of Wallenstein's first album. I find the vocal style works well (sometimes) on this lead track, but, gets a little irritating further into the album. Great instrumental development with classical influences. Later albums become more symphonic and less harder-edged, but, still very good, IMO. The guitar on this album sounds a lot like Luther Grosvenor of Spooky Tooth to me. | |||||