Recorded with a help of 'soon-to-be-famous' producer Eddie Kramer and released in early 1969 (in an attractive, gatefold gimmick cover) on ABC Records label, the only LP of that US trio was a solid and quite original mix of early hard rock, white blues and psychedelia. The complex and catchy songs were full of interesting ideas and based on guitar sound characterized by nicely fuzzed sound, some awesome flanger and plenty of wah-wah - sometimes similar to the work of The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Cream, Frost, Lincoln St. Exit and Savage Resurrection. In contrast, the last two songs were kept in more folk-psych vein, which added some flavor to that underrated and in many ways an amazing album.

CD debut of one of the least known and most underrated folk-progressive albums from Britain. Fronted by noted folk guitarist Andy Roberts (ex-Liverpool Scene) and organist Bob Sargeant (ex-Junco Partners) the band released this eponymous album in January 1971 on B&C label - home of Atomic Rooster, Steeleye Span, Ginhouse and Hannibal. This quite varied, nicely arranged and very often simply stunning album contained plenty of interesting folk (or even country rock) ideas mixed with classic, progressive sounds - with changing moods, atmospheric instrumental piano/organ/mellotron passages, fine guitar leads and very complex and slightly jazzy rhythm section.

The second album of this great Spanish progressive band was released on local Chapa Discos in 1979 although it sounded more like it came out 5 years earlier! Bloque’s powerful and very melodic record (sung in Spanish) was mostly inspired by awesome Italian progressive bands like P.F.M., Banco, Museo Rosenbach and Biglietto Per l'lnFerno, albeit mid-70’s Genesis, early Camel and even Black Sabbath influences were also evident. Sextet offered varied, imaginative and beautifully-arranged, short, but often connected songs characterized by excellent production, solid and quite heavy guitar parts, memorable and inventive keyboards phrases, fine drumming and strong, Italian-like vocals. This fantastic, but still relatively unknown record will delight most fans of creative, progressive music.

Originally issued in Canada in summer 1972 (on short-lived Axe label) that debut LP is best described as very energetic hard rock (with some pop-rock influences] full of massive guitar riffs, frantic guitar solos, great melodies and well done vocal harmonies. Thundermug’s music has been inspired not only by Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and Grand Funk, but also by The Beatles and The Kinks. lt’s worth noting that the record was engineered by Terry Brown - later known for his work with Rush. This is the original, Canadian version - in opposite to the more common, US edition (released on Epic Records in 1973) which was actually a compilation of tracks from the first two albums. This CD has been carefully remastered from the original, analogue source and sounds really great!

ln contrast to their later mainstream works, the band’s 2nd LP (released on Capitol Records in 1970] was a musical continuation of its predecessor. This hard to describe, but very fascinating, progressive and quite melodic album contained an eclectic and very British mix of styles, not far away from late 60’s The Beatles combined with Procol Harum, Lee Michaels’ debut album, The Moody Blues and even early Led Zeppelin works. Unfortunately, soon after Eclipse LP release guitarist Danny Marks left the band and the ‘progressive era’ was over. After that the group softened, but also gained much popularity. Edward Bear was at least for a moment a favourite of Quentin Tarantino, who once said “the band should be regarded as The Beatles of Canada"!

The name of this hugely underrated Canadian band was derived from A.A.Milne‘s ‘Winnie the Pooh’, whose ‘proper’ name is Edward Bear. In contrast to their later, mainstream works, the band's eclectic debut album (released on Capitol Records in 1969) without a doubt it's one of very best Canadian rock albums ever! Full-blown ‘late psych/early prog’ music based on doomy Hammond organ sounds, intense and heavy guitar parts, very solid drumming and hugely attractive vocal parts merged with memorable hooks, catchy, Beatles-like melodies and blues elements. lt’s quite similar to early Traffic, Procol Harurn and even Andwella's Dream! The band had it's biggest hit in 1972, when ‘Last Song’ charted at #1 in Canada and peaked at #3 in the Billboard’s list!

This original soundtrack (from the cult movie) was released in late 1970 by French Motors label. The fabulous music was created by then unknown French-Canadian-British rock band Clinic (which was chosen after the Pink Floyd weren't available), pop singer Christophe (present on just two tracks) and Bernard Gerard Orchestra (responsible for two classical interludes). All the songs were sung in English, although most of an album was filled with instrumental and truly amazing, early Pink Floyd-like psychedelic sounds (with Hammond organ, mellotron, flute, hypnotic bass notes, whispering voices) combined with late 60’s French/British pop tunes. With the exception of 'More' it's really hard to imagine a better movie soundtrack from late 60's/early 70's rock era!

This quite rare and totally forgotten album was released in 1973 by Transatlantic Records - the label known mainly from Folk Progressive rock releases but it certainly wasn't a good place for the heavy music. The sole Renia LP should be described as a solid, energetic and rather straightforward hard rock album with strong vocals, fine melodies and some progressive influences (almost omnipresent Hammond organ and the mighty mellotron on amazing & truly beautiful 'Shelter' track) similar to Stray, Strider and early Nutz. Unfortunately, this badly promoted tide went completely unnoticed and the band broke up. In 1975 vocalist Kenny Stewart formed Dirty Tricks which released three fine hard rock records.

Released in February 1970 on small Lizard label, the sole album of that forgotten US band contained a brilliant, heavy rock music with some blues influences dominated by loud guitars, dirty vocals and pounding rhythm section. Of the eleven tracks that make up the album, eight were originals and three were great covers, including a brutal rendition of Tobacco Road and very heavy version of Jumpin' Jack Flash. This exceptionally well-produced record has much to recommend it, particularly to fans of Frantic, Steppenwolf, Euclid and Yesterday's Children. In late 1971 reformed line-up recorded the second album, which remains unreleased. This CD has been carefully remastered from the original, analogue source.

An eponymous LP of this very fine, but completely ignored British band was released in non-attractive, but expensive (gatefold & textured) cover in November 1971 by DJM Records - label familiar with the early Elton John titles, but absolutely not with the underground music. This professionally produced album contained an eclectic mix of styles (inc. two ballads and classic ‘Lucille’ clone in heavy blues rock style), but most of the time it was beautifully-arranged, progressive sounds similar to early Genesis, Yes, Procol Harum & Beggars Opera (like lengthy and simply stunning compositions like ‘Welcome To The Soldier’, ‘Classical Gas’ and ‘Guillotine’) with excellent & quite heavy guitar parts, inventive keyboard work & complex vocal harmonies.

Formula 3 were one of first and most popular Italian rock bands of the late 60's/early 70's era and their debut LP (released in February 1970 by Numero Uno label) without a doubt is one of the best psychedelic album ever recorded in Italy! Musically this trio was similar to early Deep Purple, Procol Harum and Vanilla Fudge - with heavy emphasis on Hendrix-like guitar (by Alberto Radius - one of the best Italian guitarists ever), tasteful Hammond organ passages and really fine vocals. The 7-minutes long title track is an amazing piece of dark, intensive and heavy psychedelic rock and must be heard to be believed! Other songs were divided for ambitious pop-psychedelia and heavy, intense pieces including fine rendition of classic Walk Away Renee.

Released in March 1971 (by independent Silence label) the Fläsket Brinner's debut is considered as one of the very best Swedish records of early 70's progressive era. A large part of the album was recorded live in concert (in December 1970 - when the band opened for The Mothers Of Invention), while some shorter tracks were done live in studio. This completely instrumental record was dominated by long, hypnotic jams full of raw guitars, very fluid saxophone/flute parts and tasty Hammond sounds - backed by solid and very busy rhythm section. The music was shifted very easily from folk or jazz to heavy progressive - with Zappa's complexity, King Crimson's eclecticism and Deep Purple-like intensity. This first ever CD edition has been carefully remastered from original, analogue source.

This fantastic album has been released in early 1970 on French BYG Actuel label (home of Gong, Alan Jack Civilisation and Freedom) and at the time it was one of the earliest French rock albums! Catalyse LP consisted a powerful collection of largely instrumental and improvised progressive music with strong psychedelic and jazz infuences, where electric guitars and flute parts were backed by very busy rhythm section and David Allen-like vocals. The music of Ame Son often sounded like a combination of early Gong, late 60 ‘s Pink Floyd, Group 1850 and even Jethro Tull. In addition 5 rare tracks (from 1969 to 1971) have been added - including rare, non-LP single.

This Israeli band (with British vocalist & guitarist) started as The Churchills and released the mind-blowing, psychedelic 1968 LP and some fine singles. In 1971 they moved to England, changed their name to Jericho Jones and recorded guitar-dominated and truly great heavy rock LP Junkies, Monkeys & Donkeys. In 1972 they has shortened their name to Jericho and released fantastic, eponymous album - the real gem of the heavy progressive era! Two shorter songs and three extended tracks make up the album. It was high-octane rock with plenty of heavy riffing and extended, driving guitar solos, screaming vocals & thunderous drumming, but also with numerous tempo changes and typical, progressive arrangements. Unfortunately, shortly after the last single (released in November 1972) the band split up.

Brainbox is usually remembered as Dutch heavy progressive band with guitarist Jan Akkerman and drummer Pierre van der Linden - just before they have founded fame in Focus. Many fans still even remember the vocalist Kaz Lux, but nobody ever mentions ‘Parts’ - an official 2nd album recorded by completely revamped line-up (with the exception of drummer Frank Smit) and released by EMI Harvest in 1972. This unjustly forgotten, but great record (now on CD for the first time!) was completely ignored at the time of release, which surely was a big mistake! LP featured very eclectic, mostly progressive and sometimes truly experimental tracks characterized by changing moods and clever arrangements - in many ways similar in style to Wishbone Ash, Livin’ Blues, Fleetwood Mac and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.