genre: psych, zeuhl
country: france
quality: lossless (flac, cue, log, scans)
time: 52'06" size: 352 mb
misc.: 2007
Scented Gardens of the Mind:
This important group, first known as Lemon Pie, was formed by Ledissez and Guerin in 1968. Their innovative blend of rock, jazz and other ingredients characteristically failed to attract French record companies, until Laurent Thibault recognised them as being really impressive in early 1971. At that time he was just about to launch his own label Thйlиme (distributed by Barclay) and offered the band recording time in the legendary Chateau d'Herrouville studio (whose famous clients have ranged from Elton John to Jethro Tull and Pink Floyd). Mexico (because Ledissez had lived there), became Thйlиme's first release, setting high standards from the outset. Ergo Sum had a really refined and tasteful sound with Ledissez's broken voice (reminiscent of Roger Chapman from Family and Alvarro Fella of Jumbo), Meynet's violin (quite similar to Dave Arbus of East Of Eden) and Guerin's chilling electric piano as their main forces. This was not 'progressive' in the sense of 'endless instrumentais', rather more like Traffic's song-based approximation (on their second album), characterised by impeccable musicianship and songwriting. Ergo Sum used English lyrics, which was most common before Ange strengthened bands' confidence in using French. The album Mexico is a classic and still a refreshing experience to hear today.
Regretably the group only just survived into 1972, with Marc Perru (ex-Cruciferius) and Edouard Magnani replacing Leonardi and Touat. This line-up recorded a last single ('Tijuana"). Their last live engagement was performed by a different configuration, including Francois Breant (also ex-Cruciferius), Jean-My Truong (pre-Zao) and Marc Bertaux. Breant and Perru then formed a new group named Nemo.
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 genre: prog country: germany quality: lossless (ape, cue, log, scans) time: 32'26" size: 204 mb
Crack in the Cosmic Egg: A late-1970's obscure progressive, Epidaurus
had their footing firmly in the early-1970's progressive sound of bands like
Pink Floyd, Eloy or Pulsar. Apparently Gьnther Henne ran his own Langendreer
Studio (in Bochum), and thus with all the local talent around it was
inevitable the a band would formulate out of the jam sessions that would
regularly happen there. The record they released was totally self-financed,
and barely distributed, hence its obscurity. In essence Epidaurus' largely
instrumental multi-keyboard fronted blend was closer to Faithful Breath on
their classic FADING BEAUTY, with a dreamy feel given by the haunting
Mellotron and synthesizer textures, "cosmic" to want for a better
term, but with one difference - the opening track has female vocals! Later, Epidaurus resurfaced under the name
Choice, and more recently have reformed,
attempting to cash-in on the interest generated by the CD reissue of EARTHLY
PARADISE. But, be warned, ...ENDANGERED is abysmal pop styled rock, and is to
be avoided at all costs! |
 genre: beat country: australia/uk quality: lossless (ape, cue, log, scans) time: 1:08'36' " size: 416 mb misc.: 2005
01. River Deep, Mountain High 3:59
02. Do You Have a Soul? 2:40
03. Saturday Night 3:26
04. You me, We Love 3:24
05. Pretty Girl 2:18
06. Friday on my Mind 2:43
07. Happy is the Man 2:43
08. Hound Dog 3:19
09. Who'll Be the One? 2:38
10. Made my Bed Gonna Lie in it 2:09
11. Remember Sam 2:35
12. See Line Woman 3:15
13. Women (Make You Feel Alright) 2:36
14. Do You Have a Soul? [long version] 3:00
15. You me, We Love [different mix] 3:25
16. Lisa [different mix] 3:14
17. All Gone Boy [different mix] 2:32
18. Friday on my Mind [mono single mix] 2:43
19. Made my Bed Gonna Lie in it [mono single mix] 2:09
20. Who'll Be the One? [mono single mix] 2:38
21. Saturday Night [mono single mix] 3:26
22. Heaven and Hell [mono single mix] 2:44
23. Pretty Girl [mono single mix] 2:18
24. Heaven and Hell [stereo mix] 2:43
see also:
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 genre: prog, folk country: uk quality: lossless (ape, cue, log, scans) time: 54'14" size: 318 mb misc.: 2002
01. Bradshaw The Bison Hunter 6:10
02. Ain't Gotta Do You No Harm 2:58
03. Get Happy 4:19
04. Don't Be Afraid 4:19
05. Man Said 2:20
06. Song For No One 3:44
07. Joe 3:36
08. Nothin' To Do 3:23
09. Road Song 2:23
10. Home Blues 3:46
2002 bonus:
11. Jig-a-Jig 3:38
12. Boogie Woogie Flu 3:21
13. Last Dance of the Clown 3:51
14. Sin City Girls 3:38
15. All Our Yesterdays 2:48
- Dave Arbus / violin, saxophone, flute
- Jim Roche / guitar
- David Jack / bass
- Dave Weller / saxophone
- Jeff Allen / drums |
 genre: psych country: uk quality: lossless (flac, cue, log, booklet scans) time: 1:09'52" size: 406 mb misc.: 2004
Tapestry Of Delights:
A 'progressive' band formed in Brighton in 1968 by violinist and multi-instrumentalist Dave Arbus. Their novelty hit with the instrumental Jig A Jig was completely untypical of their usual musical style, progressive rock with lots of hard rock guitar and Dave Arbus' wild violin work.
The band were very popular in London's underground clubs. Their debut album came in an outstanding sleeve and was the best example of their Eastern-influenced rock. Guitarist/vocalist Nicholson left after this along with drummer Dufont and bassist York (who joined
Manfred Mann's Chapter 3).
Snafu veered more towards jazz-rock but was their most successful album commercially getting into the Top 30. It was also a big success on the Continent as was their Ramadhan 45.
In 1970 they signed to Harvest but their first album for them was rather mundane having sacrificed their earlier Eastern influence for a country sound. New Leaf was slightly better and certainly the opening cut Bradshaw The Bison Hunter is worth a spin. After this Arbus quit though he later reappeared on
Roger Daltrey's self-titled solo album. The band carried on replacing him with former
Mushroom violinist Joe O'Donnell. This line-up recorded a couple of further albums which only appeared on the Continent before splitting up in 1978.
Geoff Britton later played with
Wings, whilst Joe O'Donnell made several solo albums in the seventies and eighties, many of which feature guest appearances by
Rory Gallagher. |
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