SCOPE-Scope (1974-Dutch energetic instrumental progressive/jazz rock)

Formed in Zwolle in 1971,SCOPE were a four-member prog/jazz outfit,who was born out of the ashes of the band ''Strange power''.Founding members were drummer Henk Zomer (photo) and keyboardist/flutist Rik Elings.Reportedly the band started as a symphonic rock group,but soon they switched to a more jazzy progressive style.SCOPE played a lot of gigs in their country and Germany and finally they recorded their self-titled debut for ther Negram Lanel on German ground.Their style is a combination of classic progressive rock with Canterbury influences and jazz/rock of the RETURN TO FOREVER school.Guitarist Ren Nieuwland performs fantastically with a variety of tempos,as he was given a lot of space for endless,improvisational and delightful solos,not far from JOHN MCLAUGHLIN's work with the MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA.Elings is also on the top of this performance with his nice electric piano in the vein of CHICK COREA, while he also plays some dominant organ parts in a couple of songs.The funky bass lines belong to talented bassist Erik Raayman,while Zomer is also present with some steady and confident drumming.Parts of the album are characterized by the massive interplays of the members,reminding of their fellows SUPERSISTER and there are also some really dark parts with haunting flutes and slow guitars,where the band comes closer than ever to classic 70's progressive rock.For fans of varied,instrumental, jazzy progressive rock played with inspiration and talent,this is a great musical adventure.Essential for the fans of the afore-mentioned styles.

More infos in comments...

SITHONIA-Spettacolo annullato (1992-Italian traditional symphonic progressive rock)

After releasing the fabulous ''Lungo il sentiero di pietra'' in 1989, which recieved very postive critics,SITHONIA moved on to the rehearsals of new material.Due to work commintments bassist Andrea Guglielmi decided to quit,replaced by guitarist Roberto Magni's friend Valerio Roda.Soon after great singer Paolo Marcheselli left and new vocalist Marco Giovannini enters the picture.Through a common friend SITHONIA came in touch with Mario Moroni from Mellow Records,who agreed to release the new album of the band on his label. ''Spettacolo annullato'' sees the light in autumn of 1992.A few things have changed compared to the band's junior release.SITHONIA insist on playing their beloved symphonic rock style with many references on the great 70's bands.Maybe the biggest difference is the addition of a grand epic (''La recita del silenzio''), which clocks at over 22 minutes.The familiar elements of SITHONIA are always there: tons of melodic guitars,some grandiose piano parts,romantic vocals and a beautiful atmosphere,but some chessy-sounding keys as well, result a very nice track of changing moods.The rest of the tracks continue in a similar style but a bit more keyboard/piano-driven with distinctive yet inspired guitar parts and over-emotional vocals by new member Marco Giovannini,always wrapped up in a haunting symphonic orientation. Additionally the extensive instrumental parts create sensitive and imaginative soundscapes,which is what SITHONIA are best at.Overall this was another strong release for the band in a typical but always loving Italian symphonic prog approach,which only the chessy-keys spoil at some moments.Easily recommended!

More infos in comments...

JONESY-No alternative (1972-UK early-70's mellotron-based complex progressive rock)

JONESY were an important piece of the early stage in UK's progressive rock attack.The band was formed in 1971 by brothers Trevor and John Jones,while the original line-up included also Terry Cutting and Berbie Hugley.However this line-up wouldn't live on.Trevor had arguments with his brother John related to the band's musical direction and now the line-up included new members David Paul (bass/vocals), Jim Payne (drums/percussion) and Jimmy Kaleth (various keys/vocals).With this formation JONESY recorded their first album ''No alternative'' in 1972.The eponymous opener sets you in the general mood of the album with its rockin' riffs,great breaks and intense percussion work,typical of the early-70's UK prog bands.In ''Heaven'' things seem to soften,as this is a good ballad with nice bluesy guitars,smooth vocal lines and calm mellotron throughout.The busy musicianship returns on ''Mind of the century'',a piece in the vein of early-KING CRIMSON with fine mellotron scratching and good interplays between guitars,rhythm section and keys.''1958'' is maybe the most complex track JONESY ever composed.8 minutes of trully busy and complicated rock music with an almost jazzy guitar approach and some frenetic drumming leading the way.''Pollution'' contains also tons of mellotron, but this time its the guitars and bass which take over,delivering alternating tempos and constant battles between them,reminding GRACIOUS at their best.''No alternative'' closes with ''Ricochet'', where the funky side of JONESY is mixed up with the nostalgic sound of the mellotron in a very satiisfying way.Summing up,this is definitely a very decent release of early-70's prog rock,with lovers of mellotron finally finding their paradise.Complicated musicianship, pretty good individual performances and a rockin' atmosphere is what you'll get purchasing this album.Recommended to dedicated fans of 70's rock/prog!

More infos in comments...

ANIMA (DOMINUM)-Tempus stetisse (1992-Brazilian melodic symphonic progressive/art rock)

Unfortunately ANIMA deserved much more attention that they enjoyed throughout their career.The band was formed in Rio De Janeiro by bassist/singer Little David, guitarist Ze Lima and drummer Fred Castro in 1991. Numerous auditions for the keyboardist spot would follow with Flavio Araujo being the chosen one.The band recorded a two-track demo,catching the attention of collector Jorge Alegrio,who financed their first full-length release.This would come out in 1992 under the title ''Tempus Stetisse'' on Jade Records.Trying to capture the real essence of music,ANIMA recommend you a sweet approach to symphonic/art rock saturrated in melody and extensive instrumental passages. With influences coming from CAMEL and mid-70's GENESIS as well as some hints from the neo prog territory,''Tempus Stetisse'' is a work where melodic HACKETT-ish guitars meet groovy bass lines,acoustic guitars are mixed with symphonic keys,while the dramatic interplays and atmospheric synth-filled passages are also present and strong.Though not that complicated,the album is trully inspired and well-performed with catchy arrangements without losing a single minute its progressive approach.Vocals are in English and they are also nicely performed without evident traces of a Brazilian accent.ANIMA were playing and performing long before famous Brazilian acts like TEMPUS FUGIT or AETHER even appeared in the horizon and their style could have been a big influence for the later Brazilian symphonic/art rock scene.Highly recommended

and definitely essential!

More infos in comments...

CLIVE NOLAN AND OLIVER WAKEMAN-Jabberwocky (1999-UK keyboard-based epic symphonic progressive rock)

CLIVE NOLAN's colaboration with -Rick Wakeman's eldest son- OLIVER WAKEMAN begun through their meeting on a radio show of Mike Portnoy. WAKEMAN sent NOLAN some of his ideas on tapes and after a few meetings,they decided to join forces on an ambitious project.The two keyboardists worked on a cinematic and epic style of progressive rock,which was to be entitled ''Jabberwocky'' after the eponymous poem of Lewis Carroll.The work was released in 1999 on Arena's Label,Verglas.Featuring a number of important guests both on vocals and the instrumental section, such as Peter Gee, Peter Banks, Ian Salmon and Tracy Hitchings, ''Jabberwocky'' ended up to be a grandiose keyboard-led album, borrowing elements from symphonic music, soundtrack music and neo progressive rock.A modern version of RICK WAKEMAN's early epic symphonic prog style is also a good comparison.The album is filled with the beautiful keyboard work of the two musicians,who change their approach all the time.Classical piano and new agey atmospheric synthesizers are combined with the guests' voices to create deep emotions of a tale-atmosphere to the listener.Some times a medieval/renaissance nostalgic color will come to surface,even some harpsichord is used for that aim.For thos who can't get a minute off the progressive rock board, don't hesitate:There is much of our beloved music in here with fiery solos and nice grooves by the guitar players,a very good bass work and some dynamic drumming.Finally I think NOLAN and WAKEMAN came very to close to achieve the project's purpose: ''Jabberwocky'' is an epic, story-telling tale of progressive rock with a good balance between keyboard-driven music and progressive rock.Both an interesting musical experience and addition in your collection!

More infos in comments...

UZVA-Tammikuinen Tammela (2000-Finnish jazzy/chamber progressive/folk rock)

One of the most unique-sounding bands of current progressive rock,UZVA were found in Helsinki in 1994 by guitarists Heikki Puska and Lauri Kajander, bassist Pekko Sams and drummer Olli Kari.At the very beggining the band played some cover songs at several gigs,but soon they added new instruments and sounds in their music.The material of their first release was almost completely written by Puska at a cottage in the small village of Tammella during a month of ''creative loneliness'' (January 1999).With the help of former-Tasavallan Presidentti and Wigwam bassist Mans Groundstroem, UZVA recorded their debut and released it on Ylosmatka Label in 2000. ''Tammikuinen Tammela'' is an all instrumental work, which comes like an attractive combination of progressive rock with ethnic/folk orientations, chamber music and jazzy improvisations.It sounds really weird,but the truth is that UZVA have an obscure sound of their own.Most parts of the album are dominated by the strong bass lines,the lovely acoustic guitars and the intense change and use of non-rock instrumentation,including french horns, cellos, violins, harmonicas and trombones.It is when Hungarian AFTER CRYING or even ANGELO BRANDUARDI come to mind during this experience.At the other hand the album doesn't lack in some really complex and jazzy progressive rock with good interplays,close to the likes of GENTLE GIANT and MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA.Important advice: this album needs a specufic relaxing mood and several careful listenings to be fully appreciated.I did so and I loved it,so to my mind UZVA's debut is one of the most clever and challenging modern albums around.

More infos in comments...

EDGAR ALLAN POE-Generazioni (1974-Italian traditional symphonic/classic progressive rock)

E.A.POE is another band from the mass of those 70's Italian bands, who recorded just one album in their career and disappeared soon after due to the lack of promotion.They started in 1967 from the town of Ornago under the name ''Angelo e gli spacemen'',but soon Angelo would quit and the rest of the members adapted E.A.POE as their name.The good live activity of the band around the area led them to a release of an album called ''Generazioni'' in 1974 on Kansas Label (in 1991 re-issued by Vinyl Magic on CD).The album contains elements both of symphonic rock and classic progressive rock,making their style quite abstract and undefienable.Some cuts in ''Generazioni'' are very well-crafted, dominated by the dark organ sounds,light classical piano,soft vocals and pastoral acoustic guitars (and even some mandolin), resembling to a symphonic rock band,close to the sound of PREMIATA FORNERIA MARCONI.In some others it's the star of guitarist Beppe Ronco,who really signs.Leaving his pastoral mood apart,he fills the musicianship with fast guitar chords and jazzy passages, which battle with Giorgio Foti's organ all the time.Speaking of Foti,this album contains some of the most obscure keyboard works I've ever heard,being trully memorable yet haunting and complicated at the same time!E.A.POE would soon disband,releasing just a couple of singles after ''Generiazioni'',however this album can be regarded as one of the respectable and solid efforts of 70's Italian progressive rock.Strongly recommended!

More infos in comments...

ALBATROS-Quien colgo a los lobos? (2002-Spanish guitar-oriented heavy psych/progressive/art rock)

A new entry into the prog rock community,ALBATROS are a modern band influenced by different kinds of music,formed in the town of Iguadala,near Barcelona, in 2000.Their first release was actually a lengthy demo called ''Quien colgo a los lobos'' in 2002.Mainly sung in Spanish (though a few cuts contain English lyrics), this is a guitar-based album, where the style and musical approach changes from one track to another.By that time all three main members were responsible for the guitar work,which ranges from sharp riffs and hard grooves to smooth psychedelic parts and s few soft solos in the vein of ANDY LATIMER.However,the overall atmosphere evokes to some modern acts like the Italians MEN OF LAKE or AREKNAMES.The music is mostly centered on the deep atmosphere and the slow-tempo flows and less to the complexity of the arrangements, though ALBATROS' style is much more guitar-driven than the aforementioned bands.Some dark organ sounds and obscure synths add an extra color to the band's ideas,while the rhythm section plays really strong with a dynamic sound.What seems a little out of the climate are the distorted vocals,which remind more to artists like MOBY than to some prog rock outfits. In ''Quien colgo a los lobos?'' ALBATROS seem like a band who tries to develop their sound and ideas than a band with a certain fully-oriented style.However some good material in this effort will be easily accepted by fans of heavy yet atmospheric art rock.Worths a spin.

More infos in comments...