T2-It'll all work out in boomland (1970-UK powerful heavy psych/proto-progressive rock)

Peter Dunton,Bernard Jinks and Keith Cross formed T2 in 1970 with an aim to play ground-breaking rock music with lots of energy and enthusiasm.Dunton and Jinks were members of the band ''Neon Pearl'',while Jinks met later Cross,as they both played on ''Bulldog Breed''.T2 were signed by Decca Records and released the album with the imaginative title ''It'll all work out in boomland'' in 1970.The album contains four tracks,one of the being the long epic ''Morning'',taking the whole B-side of the LP.The starter ''In circles'' is where the band seems to have given all their energy and lust for good and powerful rock.A guitar-driven track,where Keith Cross shines with his unbelievable performance,characterized by the abstract chords and powerful grooves,with a tight rhythm section covering him as well.''J.L.T.'' is a lot more than a psych ballad with a very emotional Dunton singing and somekind of horn-section with trumpets ending the track with a thrilling melody.Side A closes with ''No more white horses'' ,which continues from where ''J.L.T.'' ended,with a piano-driven opening section with smooth vocals and backing trumpets supporting,when suddenly 17-years old Cross takes over playing his frenetic guitar all the way to the end.The endless energy and complicated breaks of T2 return on side B with ''Morning'',a composition split between acoustic parts with a psych orientation and great vocal sections, and instrumental passages based on Cross' hard/bluesy guitars and Dunton's dynamic drumming. It's the track where I am reminded most of ROBERT FRIPP's guitar style in his mid-70's works with KING CRIMSON...and that says something for Cross' talent.Unfortunately T2 were short-lived and it is really a question what this band could have created a couple of years later,when progressive rock was on the rise.Overall,a very good and powerful heavy proto-prog release from a band with talent and skills.Strongly recommended!

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NEVERNESS-Horizonte de sucesos (2002-Spanish modern psych/symph/hard progressive/art rock)

A new band from Valladolid, Spain,NEVERNESS were formed in 1998 as a four-piece group and experimented in different sounds and styles, trying to create an elaborate sound close to the 70's progressive spirit with a definite modern touch.In their first work ''Horizonte de sucesos'', released in 2002 on Armando Records,the band presents this exact fact.Modern progressive rock mixed with some 70's hints and a blend of hard rock with symphonic and psychedelic flavors.''Horizonte de sucesos'' seems to be rather guitar oriented,but the guitar work is always supported by any kind of keys: light Hammond organ,piano passages,modern symphonic keyboards and even some nostalgic mellotron.Split in two styles,the album offers at one time hard/symph prog,not far from bands like AKACIA or AFTER THE FALL with intense vocals and long instrumentals. On the other hand,some vintage guitar work accompanied by massive vocal lines will remind you of some Argentinian bands of the past like early-INVISIBLE.What is to be concluded is that NEVERNESS seem to try to find their own identity and focused musicianship through this album,blending so many different style in their compositions that even the most experienced prog-head will find it hard to follow it all the way.This is a band with potential and maybe some bright future in this scene.Give them a try.

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NOW-Complaint of the wind (1988-Belgian A.O.R.-ish neo progressive rock)

Important band emerging from the 80's Belgian scene,who blended progressive rock with more commercial sounds.Formed in mid-80's and led by guitarist Vincent Fis,NOW featured also current MACHIAVEL keyboardist Herve Borve in his first steps in the music scene.For their first LP,released in 1988 on Auraphon Label and entitled ''Complaint of the wind'',they were helped by MACHIAVEL singer Mario Guccio.Reportedly the album was recorded in August 87' in a castle and mixed in a studio in Switzerland by Glenn Miller,who had collaborated with ''Talk Talk''.Seemed the band wanted to hit big time,however the album was a typical product of the 80's , in ''progressive'' terms,with all its positives and negatives.At times the keyboards sound a little bit cheesy and the piano parts are somewhat ''plastic'',while the compositions follow a rather simplistic form,sometimes they are closer to 80's hard rock/A.O.R. than prog.On the other hand the band features a very strong vocalist under the presence of Fis,who's voice can be thrilling and dynamic at the same time,reminding of PALLAS' Euan Lowson.Speaking of PALLAS,this album holds a lot of similarities with 80's YES but mainly with PALLAS' ''The sentinel'' from 1984.Compositions are mainly short with some grandiose symphonic keys here and there,some hard rockin' guitar work with a lot of energy,a strong drumming performance by Andre Hercot and plenty of memorable melodies played by Fis.The result is a pleasant work of easy-listening progressive rock with some good and some flat moments.Greatly recommended to fans of neo progressive rock.

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7 FOR 4-Contact (2001-German instrumental heavy fusion/progressive rock)

Fantastic modern heavy/fusion band led by guitarist Wolfgang Zenk,former member of the prog metal band ''Sieges Even'',with whom he recorded the great albums ''Uneven'' and ''Sophisticated''.7 FOR 4 are a four-piece act,coming from Munich ,and released their debut in 2001,entitled ''Contact''.This is an all instrumental effort very close to the likes of DEREK SHERINIAN solo albums and LIQUID TENSION EXPERIMENT,that means highly-energetic and powerful jazzy/fusion prog with lots of different moods,breaks and time changes.The music is trully inspired with good melodies and a heavy dose of complexity,presenting the tremendous skillful playing by bassist Markus Grutzner and the chaotic drumming of Klaus Engl.Keyboardist Markus Froshmeier prefers a rather backing supporting role with groovy piano lines and distinctive keyboards around...and Zenk is an absolute virtuoso of guitar,delivering memorable themes,including funky rhythms,jazzy parts,an almost metal soloing style,even some Latin-inspired themes.For anyone who doesn't mind his jazz/fusion experience with a harder edge,''Contact'' is absolutely essential.A very tight band with an extremely rich sound!

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FRANCO BATTIATO-Pollution (1972-Experimental/electronic progressive rock)

A very famous singer/songwriter/composer in Italy,FRANCO BATTIATO was born near Catania in Sicily and he moved in Milan at the age of 20 in 1965.After recording a few pop songs he formed ''Osage Tribe'',a psych/heavy prog band, in 1970 with whom he released only a single,before quiting.1971 sees BATTIATO focusing on his personal career and presenting his first solo-effort ''Fetus'',an uneven work of different styles and definitely an experimental sound with questionable result.The same album was released a year later as ''Foetus'' with english titles.1972 was also the year of the sophomore BATTIATO work,''Pollution'',pressed by Bla Bla Label.Maintaining his experimental inspiration but with a more accomplished style this time,BATTIATO presents a great blending of experimental/avant-garde music through good use of electronics with the typical rock instrumentation,featuring also heavy doses of piano and organ.Some tracks also offer female chant-like vocals,doubled by deep bass work and psych guitars,while others are definitely over-the-top experimental and minimalistic with electronics in the background and obscure vocals by BATTIATO.Acoustic guitars are also present with a dark sound in a couple of tracks,accompanied by superb vocals and bizarre synth sounds...and yes,there are is also a good dose of fine instrumental passages with nice electric guitars and great rhythm section parts to please any sick rock-head!Anyone after some weird effects and obscure electronics but also lots of influences and rock musicianship should approach without hesitation.FRANCO BATTIATO belongs among the most daring musicians of the world and ''Pollution'' deserves much of your attention.

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FINNEUS GAUGE-More once more (1997-US complex jazzy progressive rock)

Following the transient disbanding of ECHOLYN,their keyboardist Chris Buzby formed FINNEUS GAUGE in 1996,named after Phineas Gage,a railway construction foreman of 19th century,who survived after a big piece of iron passed through his head during an accident.On FINNEUS GAUGE we also meet Chris' younger brother John on drums (later to form ''Land of chocolate'') and talented fusion guitarist Scott McGill.In 1997 the band recorded and released their debut ''More once more''.Elements,sights and sounds met in ECHOLYN's works are also present here,but ''More once more'' is way more complicated than anything created by ECHOLYN,while the music approaches more the fusion/jazz side of prog than the symphonic one.Without being excessive,this is one of the most complex and craziest albums around!The tracks follow a fast and furious tempo,characterized by the superb guitar work of McGill, recalling ALLAN HOLDSWORTH at his best,and the obscure and challenging keyboard parts of Chris Buzby.Some mellow atmospheric intros with Laura Martin's voice on the front are somewhat needed to lighten things,but soon what is to be heard is complicated interplays between the rhythm section and the guitars or keys,accompanied by endless multi-vocal harmonies in the vein of GENTLE GIANT.All performances, especially McGill's,are excellent but be warned that ''More once more'' won't be everybody's cup of tea,despite its undoubtful high level of musicianship.This is the definition of an album,that needs a good number of spins to be appreciated.Personally,I found it very attractive, demanding and professional and an easy choice for a day,when I need something trully intricate to listen to...

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TRIUMVIRAT-Mediterrenean tales (1972-German keyboard-driven classical progressive rock)

Most of the devoted prog rock fans are familiar with the name TRIUMVIRAT,a German band formed in 1969 in Cologne by keyboardist Hans-Jurgen Fritz,bassist Werner Frangenberg (soon to be replaced by long-time member Hans Pape) and drummer Hans Bathelt.From their early life the band focused on playing keyboard-driven rock with classical tendencies in the vein of THE NICE,BEGGAR'S OPERA and ,of course, E.L.P.,who had been their major influence.After playing several lives in local clubs in Cologne,they won a contract with EMI,to release their debut ''Mediterrenean tales'' in 1972.Undoubtfully TRIUMVIRAT were not only great musicians and performers,but they had strong compositional skills as well.The band's hero is definitely Hans Fritz and his virtuosic Hammond organ work with tons of classical-inspired parts,tremendous solos and atmospheric slow-tempo passages.Surrounded by the strong drumming of Bathelt and the deep bass lines of Pape,Fritz created four original compositions with baroque influences and ,besides the dominant organ,there is plenty of delicate grand piano and haunting synths in here for all lovers of keyboard-driven rock symphonies.However,where vocals are added,the album seems to lose its orientation, being sometimes out of the whole atmosphere,as Pape's singing,though not really accented,its kind of amateurish to my ears.These parts are fortunately very limited and instrumentally speaking TRIUMVIRAT certainly belong to the top league of classical-inspired progressive rock bands.A great debut and, of course,a strongly recommended one!

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RIVENDEL-Manifesto (1991-Spanish electronic/neo progressive rock)

Another band in the line,who fell into obscurity as the time passed by. RIVENDEL came from the town of San Sebastian and were formed around mid-80's, featuring Oscar Belio on keys and vocals,Tono Cruz on guitars and vocals,Jose Mari Aguirrezabala on bass,wind instruments and vocals and Juan Carlos Perez on drums.Their debut ''Manifesto'' was released in 1991 on Lednevir Records,propably a label,behind which were members of RIVENDEL. Despite having received mediocre critics around the web,''Manifesto'' sound to my ears as a quite original effort,definitely in the neo prog vein,but having a rich sound coming from the mix of melodic distorted guitars and the interesting use of synths and electronic sequencers.It's not far from reality to say that there is sometimes an ambient/electronic feeling throughout the compositions,created by the atmospheric use of synths and the slow-tempo of the music,however the use of drum machines in the album will not satisfy everybody's ear.I can notice as a plus for the band the nice guitar work with influences from MARILLION and even STEVE HACKETT with a touch of ROBERT FRIPP here and there.Vocals are in English with an obvious foreign accent and often they come out with a strong theatrical leaning,not always succesful.All in all,I really can't find a horrible track in here.''Manifesto'' sounds very interesting to my ears despite it's low recording quality and the mistakes a new band makes.Recommended to fans of neo progressive rock with a touch of electronics (but I think it can please a lot more ears than only these)!

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NAPOLI CENTRALE-Napoli centrale (1975-Italian groovy jazz/fusion rock)

NAPOLI CENTRALE were born after a melodic soft prog/beat group named ''Showmen'' split with founder members James Senese (saxes,flutes,vocals) and Franco Del Prete (drums,percussion) carrying on to form this very good jazz/fusion act.Joined by American keyboardist Mark Harris and English bassist Tony Walmsley NAPOLI CENTRALE released firstly a single (''Campagna/Vico promo parise n.8'') and soon after their eponymous debut on Ricordi Label.Not far from the sound established by RETURN TO FOREVER and WEATHER REPORT and followed by their compatriots NOVA,the band created a nice jazz rock album sung entirely by Senese in the neapolitan dialect with the typical elements met in good jazz musicians.A very complex rhythm section supports the alternating smooth/heavy playing of Senese mainly on saxes with a slight dose of flutes here and there.Mark Harris prooves to be excellent keyboard player with his Fender electric piano dominating the compositions with rich and well-arranged passages,often accompanied by Senese's saxes.There are also some AREA-related parts with very improvisational vocal performance and intense musicianship to close the band's trully strong profile.Dealing with social issues,a famous subject of discussion in mid-70's Italy,NAPOLI CENTRALE were both talented musicians and sceptic citizens and their debut is good introduction to their skillful sound. Recommended,especially for jazz/fusion lovers!

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CONQUEROR-Istinto (2003-Italian atmospheric female-fronted symphonic progressive rock)

Coming from the small city of Santa Teresa di Riva near the ancient town of Taormina on the island of Sicily,CONQUEROR began their prog journey in 1994 recording songs and performing live until 1999,when the group made a small pause.A new challenge for the band started in 2002 with CONQUEROR's fresh line-up creating new material for their debut album.''Istinto'' came out the following year,suprising prog fans with its inner power and rising grandiosity.With a remarkable personal sound,CONQUEROR deliver heavy and atmospheric symphonic rock with fantastic keyboard work,changing rhythms,strong melodies and most of all an inspiring mood of growing emotions.One of the band's aces is Simona Rigano's vocals...a voice with an untold innocence and an almost childish harmony,which is one of the best female singers I have ever had the chance to listen to!Apart from the excellent vocals,the compositions feature trully memorable guitar riffs and melodies,nice symphonic-oriented keyboards and a mood for sensitive orchestrations,which work extremely well and result an effort deeped into melody,intensity and atmosphere.Definitely a highlight of modern Italian prog,''Istinto'' will please every fan of melodic yet adventuruous progressive rock and comes as an absolutely essential release in my books!

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