Anyone like progressive jazz-rock-fusion? Listening to Soft Machine's Third from the year 1970 right now:
The ***Official*** Progressive Rock Thread
- Thread starter Ron Party
- Start date
Ron:
Progressive rock and fusion are my stock in trade. I eat, breathe, and sleep it 24/7/365. (I'll try my best to avoid going into "sell" mode and won't post my company's URL.) Soft Machine's "Third" was a transitional album for the band. Many consider it to be their masterpiece - to me its just the beginning of their evolution from the Canterbury pop sounds to that of a progressive jazz ensemble. My personal tastes actually run towards the guitar driven "Bundles" but I like it all.
Today I received inventory of a great proto-fusion album by the Finnish sax player Eero Koivistoinen. Titled "3rd Version" it features Tasavalan Presidentti guitarist Jukka Tolonen. The album has a definite "Bitches Brew" vibe but Tolonen injects heavy rock guitar. Great interplay between all the musicians and some superb Rhodes from Heikki Sarmanto. About 3 years later, in 1976 Koivistoinen released a balls-to-the-wall fusion album called "The Front Is Breaking" for Love Records. Very much in the vein of Return To Forever.
In a more contemporary direction you might check out the instrumental trio Morglbl, one of the bands that records for our Free Electric Sound label. The band is led by virtuoso guitarist Christophe Godin. Morglbl has been described as a cross between Allan Holdsworth and Primus. You can hear sound samples and watch video clips at www.myspace.com/morglbl. I'd be curious to get your feedback.
Ken Golden
The Laser's Edge
Progressive rock and fusion are my stock in trade. I eat, breathe, and sleep it 24/7/365. (I'll try my best to avoid going into "sell" mode and won't post my company's URL.) Soft Machine's "Third" was a transitional album for the band. Many consider it to be their masterpiece - to me its just the beginning of their evolution from the Canterbury pop sounds to that of a progressive jazz ensemble. My personal tastes actually run towards the guitar driven "Bundles" but I like it all.
Today I received inventory of a great proto-fusion album by the Finnish sax player Eero Koivistoinen. Titled "3rd Version" it features Tasavalan Presidentti guitarist Jukka Tolonen. The album has a definite "Bitches Brew" vibe but Tolonen injects heavy rock guitar. Great interplay between all the musicians and some superb Rhodes from Heikki Sarmanto. About 3 years later, in 1976 Koivistoinen released a balls-to-the-wall fusion album called "The Front Is Breaking" for Love Records. Very much in the vein of Return To Forever.
In a more contemporary direction you might check out the instrumental trio Morglbl, one of the bands that records for our Free Electric Sound label. The band is led by virtuoso guitarist Christophe Godin. Morglbl has been described as a cross between Allan Holdsworth and Primus. You can hear sound samples and watch video clips at www.myspace.com/morglbl. I'd be curious to get your feedback.
Ken Golden
The Laser's Edge
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Ron's incredibly thorough description of the various genres of progressive rock have earned this thread the distinction of being one of the first STICKY threads at WBF.
Thanks for the great work, Ron!
Lee
Thanks for the great work, Ron!
Lee
Rich, I just picked up a copy of Glass Hammer's If. I'm sure you'd like it (if you don't already have it). Very much Yes-ish.
Ron:
The album I've been enjoying the most lately is "Legacy" from a Belgian band called Hypnos 69. Here is my hype from when it arrived at Casa Laser's Edge:
Stunning new album from this interesting Belgian band. Hypnos 69 tend to morph their sound from album to album. Earlier albums have touched on stoner rock, space rock, pure psych...but all have a 70s progressive imprint. The quartet consists of guitar, keys, winds, brass, and percussion (and vocals of course). Legacy is a straight on homage to 70s progressive rock. The flute and sax work of Steven Marx sounds so much like Ian McDonald on ITCOTCK that its scary. Mellotron, Moogs, Hammonds are here in spades and leader Steve Houtmeyers guitar leads will rip your speakers apart. On the track "The Empty Hourglass", Marx' winds follow the melody of Chris Squire's "The Fish" (or perhaps I'm imagining it). Everyone in the band plays keys so I can't pick out who it is but someone has nailed Tony Banks circa ATOTT. Epic length tracks through out. The sounds of the 70s will ooze from your speakers. If you dig early King Crimson and Genesis you need to check this disc out. It blew me away on first listen and may well achieve masterpiece status.
The album I've been enjoying the most lately is "Legacy" from a Belgian band called Hypnos 69. Here is my hype from when it arrived at Casa Laser's Edge:
Stunning new album from this interesting Belgian band. Hypnos 69 tend to morph their sound from album to album. Earlier albums have touched on stoner rock, space rock, pure psych...but all have a 70s progressive imprint. The quartet consists of guitar, keys, winds, brass, and percussion (and vocals of course). Legacy is a straight on homage to 70s progressive rock. The flute and sax work of Steven Marx sounds so much like Ian McDonald on ITCOTCK that its scary. Mellotron, Moogs, Hammonds are here in spades and leader Steve Houtmeyers guitar leads will rip your speakers apart. On the track "The Empty Hourglass", Marx' winds follow the melody of Chris Squire's "The Fish" (or perhaps I'm imagining it). Everyone in the band plays keys so I can't pick out who it is but someone has nailed Tony Banks circa ATOTT. Epic length tracks through out. The sounds of the 70s will ooze from your speakers. If you dig early King Crimson and Genesis you need to check this disc out. It blew me away on first listen and may well achieve masterpiece status.
Just finished my n-th listen to the 24/96 Court of the Crimson King - looking for something else to listen to, I stumbled on this dusty old CD in my collection:
Swedish band with their roots in psychedelic - so I'm not sure if they qualify to be on this thread.... if not, I'll remove it.
Swedish band with their roots in psychedelic - so I'm not sure if they qualify to be on this thread.... if not, I'll remove it.
Kebnekaise are as progressive as they come. I love Kenny Hakansson's guitarwork. They actually had a very solid reunion album in 2009.
Ken Golden
Ken Golden
Ron's prog knowledge is awesome. While I owned some of the more obscure stuff on LP, I must admit the only prog that has made the transition to digital for me is Yes, KC and Tull. Maybe I need to begin exploring this genre again...
Tim
Great thread indeed! 
I'll try to read the whole thread for sure!
I remember I was on my way to jazz and classical music and I had to stop in the prog genre. At that time I was very fond of Pink Floyd, ELO and Yes, but I had not discovered many other fantastic groups.
When I first listened to King Crimson, I was shocked. I couln't believe they were so good! Since then, I've explored progressive with great pleasure.
For the time being, my 10 all time favourites are:
1.- King Crimson. In the court of the Crimson King
2.- Pink Floyd. DSOTM
2.- Yes. Fragil
3.- Camel. Camel.
4.- Camel. Rajaz
5.- ELO. Brain Salad Surgery
6.- Premiata Forniera Marconi. Per un amico
7.- Genesis. Foxtrot
8.- King Crimson. In the wake of Poseidon
9.- Jethro Tull.- Aqualung
10.- Gentle Giant. Three friends
I'll try to read the whole thread for sure!
I remember I was on my way to jazz and classical music and I had to stop in the prog genre. At that time I was very fond of Pink Floyd, ELO and Yes, but I had not discovered many other fantastic groups.
When I first listened to King Crimson, I was shocked. I couln't believe they were so good! Since then, I've explored progressive with great pleasure.
For the time being, my 10 all time favourites are:
1.- King Crimson. In the court of the Crimson King
2.- Pink Floyd. DSOTM
2.- Yes. Fragil
3.- Camel. Camel.
4.- Camel. Rajaz
5.- ELO. Brain Salad Surgery
6.- Premiata Forniera Marconi. Per un amico
7.- Genesis. Foxtrot
8.- King Crimson. In the wake of Poseidon
9.- Jethro Tull.- Aqualung
10.- Gentle Giant. Three friends
Hi Ron,
My copy was finally shipped from Amazon today:
I hope to have the CD in a few days. I will let you know my impressions from the CD rather than the computer playing the files shortly.
Rich
Hi Ron,
I still have to order the Glass Hammer CD. Possibly when I next make an Amazon order.
Rich
Ron, On A'gon I started a thread about Uriah Heep and their recordings. It was unceremoniously deleted for no known reason by the moderators over there
Anyhow, if you can pick up some of the UK Bronze label originals of Demons & Wizards, The Magician's Birthday and IMO one of the best live albums ever...Uriah Heep 'Live', then i think you would be in for a treat. BTW, Badger is also one to try and find...the UK LP " One Live Badger" is again IMO, AWESOME
Anyhow, if you can pick up some of the UK Bronze label originals of Demons & Wizards, The Magician's Birthday and IMO one of the best live albums ever...Uriah Heep 'Live', then i think you would be in for a treat. BTW, Badger is also one to try and find...the UK LP " One Live Badger" is again IMO, AWESOME
Ron, another question...do you consider Black Sabbath as Prog rock?
BTW, Listening to some of the older Budgie now and I must say, very enjoyable. Their 1st album and 'Squawk' are probably the two highlights, IMO. But all good stuff. The original MCA Brit pressing of the 1st album has some subterranean bottom end.
BTW, Listening to some of the older Budgie now and I must say, very enjoyable. Their 1st album and 'Squawk' are probably the two highlights, IMO. But all good stuff. The original MCA Brit pressing of the 1st album has some subterranean bottom end.
As another major prog-rock fan, I'd like to hear about well done recordings, remasters or covers.
For the Genesis, Yes and ELP fans, this album "The Road Home" by Jordan Rudess is a must have, not only for the great playing, but the amazing sound quality. On a good system this is an amazing experience.
The rendition of Dance on a Volcano (Genesis) is the best I've ever heard.
For the Genesis, Yes and ELP fans, this album "The Road Home" by Jordan Rudess is a must have, not only for the great playing, but the amazing sound quality. On a good system this is an amazing experience.
The rendition of Dance on a Volcano (Genesis) is the best I've ever heard.
Ron was kind enough to provide an ex-lax moment playing Rudess' "Piece of the Pi" through oneobgyn's Gotham subs s while ago for the BAAS members.
I got the "Deep Purple" disc essentially free, since the lady at Goodwill felt sorry for me because the two record set only had the I-IV disc and was missing the II-III disc.
Got the vinyl of ELP "Pictures at an Exhibition" in the same batch, played it this morning through my revamped bass setup and got some shuddering, rumbling wonderfullness.
I got the "Deep Purple" disc essentially free, since the lady at Goodwill felt sorry for me because the two record set only had the I-IV disc and was missing the II-III disc.
Got the vinyl of ELP "Pictures at an Exhibition" in the same batch, played it this morning through my revamped bass setup and got some shuddering, rumbling wonderfullness.
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