8,232 Reviews
3,178 Visits Today
16,044,674 Visits So Far
This site uses
HTML5 & CSS3
We support
Mozilla Firefox
 

Record Reviews

Search

9 Reviews Found. Use search to find more reviews or follow the links in the review text.

CAMEL ~ THE SINGLE FACTOR (EXPANDED EDITION)
ESOTERIC 2156 (Barcode: 5013929725621) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock

Recorded: 1982 Released: 2009

10th album by British Prog legends CamelFind albums by this artist, which marks a transition period in the band´s history, which followed a five years of personnel stability and incredibly productive output, as documented by their albums released during that period. Following the departure of founding member / keyboardist Peter BardensFind albums by this artist soon after recording the album "BreathlessFind albums with this title", the remaining two founding members: guitarist Andy LatimerFind albums by this artist and drummer Andy WardFind albums by this artist (who could not participate in the recording of this album due to injury) recruited various session musicians like bassist David PattonFind albums by this artist and drummer Graham JarvisFind albums by this artist. Several guest musicians also participated, like guitarist Anthony PhillipsFind albums by this artist, drummer Simon PhillipsFind albums by this artist, former Camel member keyboardist Peter Bardens and keyboardist Francis MonkmanFind albums by this artist. As to the music included on the album; at the time of its release it was considered both by the band´s fans and critics as disappointing and way too "commercial" in comparison to the band´s earlier efforts. In retrospect, although different indeed, it still preserves an incredibly high musical standard and integrity, both on the compositional and performance level, and suggests that it was rather the fans, who disliked change, then the band, which propagated change, which caused the fracture. There is no doubt that this album belongs to the proud heritage of music left to us by one of the best British Prog bands in the genre´s history. Recommended!
 CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

CURVED AIR ~ AIR CONDITIONING
WARNER BROS. 26433 (Barcode: 075992643320) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock

Recorded: 1970 Released: 2000

1st album by one of the most remarkable UK Prog bands Curved AirFind albums by this artist. Formed by violinist Darryl WayFind albums by this artist, a graduate of the Royal College of Music, they would be one the first ensembles to incorporate classical music directly into their superb compositions. Way`s considerable instrumental skills were well supported by similar talent of the keyboards player Francis MonkmanFind albums by this artist and they both composed all of the band`s material. The addition of vocalist Sonja KristinaFind albums by this artist, a remarkable singer with a unique voice, turned Curved Air into an outstanding creative musical unit. This album is considered to this very day one of the strongest debut Prog releases ever and the instrumental "Vivaldi With Cannons" turned into a Prog anthem. The original album was the first ever vinyl picture disk. A true Prog classic.
Updated: 18/07/2019Posted: CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

CURVED AIR ~ AIR CONDITIONING (EXPANDED EDITION)
ESOTERIC 2616 (Barcode: 5013929471641) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock

Recorded: 1970 - 1971 Released: 2018

This is a reissue of the debut album by the British Progressive Rock group Curved AirFind albums by this artist, one of the most unique and ambitious representatives of the genre. The band was fronted by the charismatic and idiosyncratic female vocalist Sonja KristinaFind albums by this artist and included two classically trained musicians: violinist Darryl WayFind albums by this artist and keyboardist / guitarist Francis MonkmanFind albums by this artist. Bassist Robert MartinFind albums by this artist and drummer Florian Pilkington-MiksaFind albums by this artist completed the lineup. The album presented ten original songs written or co-written by Way, Monkman and Martin, which offered a unique amalgamation of British Folk, Classical Music, Electronic Music, Rock and Jazz influences, unmatched by any of their contemporaries. This remastered and expanded edition adds one outtake from the original recording sessions and an entire second CD of alternate takes, singles and BBC radio recordings. The somewhat muddy sound quality of the original album was significantly improved on this reissue.

When originally released in 1970, the album (and the group) achieved both commercial success and critical acclaim, despite its unconventional sound and complexity, which of course was a sign of the times. Curved Air were one the first British acts to use the violin in their lineup (see also High TideFind albums by this artist and East Of EdenFind albums by this artist) and the first to feature violin to such an extent.

Sonja Kristina remains to this very day one of the most distinctive Rock vocalists. She managed to maintain a steady, although less glamorous career over the years, producing a substantial volume of excellent music. She also fronts the reformed edition of Curved Air.

Overall this is one of the essential British Classic Rock / Prog albums, which lost absolutely nothing of its strength over time and still sounds fresh and moving today. This reissue is a splendid opportunity for the new generation of music listeners to discover this everlasting classic. Essential piece of music history!
Updated: 18/07/2019Posted: 18/07/2019CD 2 Digipak Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend

CURVED AIR ~ AIR CUT
ESOTERIC 2617 (Barcode: 5013929471740) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock

Recorded: 1973 Released: 2018

This is a reissue of the fourth album by the British Progressive Rock group Curved AirFind albums by this artist, one of the most unique and ambitious representatives of the genre. The band was fronted by the charismatic and idiosyncratic female vocalist Sonja KristinaFind albums by this artist. Following the departure of the three founding members of the group: Darryl WayFind albums by this artist, Francis MonkmanFind albums by this artist and Florian Pilkington-MiksaFind albums by this artist, Kristina and bassist Mike WedgwoodFind albums by this artist carried the group´s name into the future, enlisting the violinist / keyboardist Eddie JobsonFind albums by this artist, guitarist Kirby GregoryFind albums by this artist and drummer Jim RussellFind albums by this artist to complete the new lineup, which recorded this album. It presents eight original songs, written by Gregory, Jobson, Wedgwood and also Kristina, who wrote the lyrics to two songs written by others. This remastered reissue offers improved sound quality but no bonus material.

The music offered a unique amalgamation of British Folk, Classical Music, Electronic Music, Rock and Jazz influences, unmatched by any of their contemporaries and despite the departure of the two songwriters responsible for the majority of the material present on the first three classic albums, the material this album offers is on a par with its predecessors. Sadly this lineup proved to be short lived and disbanded shortly after the album was released in the summer of 1973.

In 1974 Curved Air reunited and recorded one live album called simply "LiveFind albums with this title", which featured the original lineup except for the bassist and a year later Kristina and Way managed to put another lineup together and recorded two more albums: "Midnight WireFind albums with this title" (1975) and "AirborneFind albums with this title" (1976) before disbanding for many years to come.

Sonja Kristina remains to this very day one of the most distinctive Rock vocalists. She managed to maintain a steady, although less glamorous career over the years, producing a substantial volume of excellent music. She also fronts the reformed edition of Curved Air.

Overall this is one of the essential British Classic Rock / Prog albums, which lost absolutely nothing of its strength over time and still sounds fresh and moving today. This reissue is a splendid opportunity for the new generation of music listeners to discover this everlasting classic. Essential piece of music history!
Updated: 25/07/2019Posted: 25/07/2019CD 1 Digipak Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend

CURVED AIR ~ LIVE
ESOTERIC 2067 (Barcode: 5013929716728) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock

Recorded: 1974 Released: 2008

5th album by the excellent British Prog band Curved AirFind albums by this artist and the first live recording done by the group after it re-formed following the hiatus of the two preceding years when founding members Darryl WayFind albums by this artist (violin) and Francis MonkmanFind albums by this artist (guitar and keyboards) left to follow solo careers. The re-united group was fronted (as always) by the divine singer Sonja KristinaFind albums by this artist and included also the fourth founding member drummer Florian Pilkington-MiksaFind albums by this artist, with just one new member bassist Phil KohnFind albums by this artist. The material includes songs from the first three seminal albums the band recorded, but the energetic and virtuoso performances on these live dates make it even stronger that the original recordings. Kristina is particularly brilliant with her strongest and most expressive voice ever recorded and with energies equal to those of Janis JoplinFind albums by this artist and Grace SlickFind albums by this artist. In retrospect this is certainly one of the strongest live Prog albums ever recorded and certainly the best British female vocalist in that genre recorded live. Not to be missed!
 CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

CURVED AIR ~ PHANTASMAGORIA
WARNER BROS. 26194 (Barcode: 075992619424) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock

Recorded: 1972 Released: 2000

3rd album by the legendary UK Prog band Curved AirFind albums by this artist and unfortunately the final one by the original incarnation of the band, which included the founding members Darryl WayFind albums by this artist on violin, Francis MonkmanFind albums by this artist on keyboards, Mike WedgwoodFind albums by this artist on bass, Florian Pilkington-MiksaFind albums by this artist on drums and of course the divine Sonja KristinaFind albums by this artist as the lead vocalist. Additional guest musicians are also present, playing mostly brass and percussion instruments. Although the two previous albums (Air ConditioningFind albums with this title and Second AlbumFind albums with this title) are both masterpieces, this one surpasses them both and is considered the strongest of the three. Way and Monkman (as usual) composed the music and it includes some truly visionary effects, like tape loops of Sonja’s voice and inventive use of synthesizers. Definitely a classic of the genre and one can certainly say that they went with a bang! Future incarnations of the band would be nowhere near the original even though the band tried to re-form several times.
Updated: 19/07/2019Posted: CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

CURVED AIR ~ PHANTASMAGORIA (EXPANDED EDITION)
ESOTERIC 2638 (Barcode: 5013929473843) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock

Recorded: 1972 Released: 2018

This is a reissue of the third album by the British Progressive Rock group Curved AirFind albums by this artist, one of the most unique and ambitious representatives of the genre. The band was fronted by the charismatic and idiosyncratic female vocalist Sonja KristinaFind albums by this artist and included two classically trained musicians: violinist Darryl WayFind albums by this artist and keyboardist / guitarist Francis MonkmanFind albums by this artist. Bassist Mike WedgwoodFind albums by this artist and drummer Florian Pilkington-MiksaFind albums by this artist completed the lineup. A brass section was also used on this album and the Jazz vibraphonist / percussionist Frank RicottiFind albums by this artist played on selected tracks. The album presented nine original songs written by Way and Monkman, with lyrics by Kristina, which offered a unique amalgamation of British Folk, Classical Music, Electronic Music, Rock and Jazz influences, unmatched by any of their contemporaries. This remastered and expanded edition adds three bonus tracks (A-side of a single and two previously unreleased studio tracks) and entire DVD of TV appearances by the band. The somewhat muddy sound quality of the original album was significantly improved on this reissue.

When originally released in 1972, the album established Curved Air as one of the most important and innovative British Prog groups at the time and proved that the band was constantly evolving and exploring new territory. This album used some of the most advanced and complex electronic music elements thanks to Monkman´s interest in the subject. Of the triptych created by the first three albums this one is by far the most coherent and perfectly put together one.

Sadly, just a few months after this album was released the three founding members of the group: Way, Monkman and Pilkington-Miksa decided to leave the group and go their separate ways. Kristina and Wedgwood carried the group´s name into the future, and the band would go into several reunion project in the years that followed.

Sonja Kristina remains to this very day one of the most distinctive Rock vocalists. She managed to maintain a steady, although less glamorous career over the years, producing a substantial volume of excellent music. She also fronts the reformed edition of Curved Air.

Overall this is one of the essential British Classic Rock / Prog albums, which lost absolutely nothing of its strength over time and still sounds fresh and moving today. This reissue is a splendid opportunity for the new generation of music listeners to discover this everlasting classic. Essential piece of music history!
Updated: 21/07/2019Posted: 21/07/2019CD+DVD 2 Digipak Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend

CURVED AIR ~ SECOND ALBUM
WARNER BROS. 26434 (Barcode: 075992643429) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock

Recorded: 1971 Released: 2000

2nd album by Curved AirFind albums by this artist and a remarkable follow up to their superb debut. The band follows a similar pattern, with Darryl WayFind albums by this artist and Francis MonkmanFind albums by this artist sharing the compositional duties (this time each got a whole side of the original LP), with a clear difference between them - Way producing a more Rock oriented pieces while Monkman tendencies are more classically / Prog oriented. Sonja KristinaFind albums by this artist is excellent all the way, establishing a firm position in the lead of UK female Prog singers. Another classic.
 CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

CURVED AIR ~ SECOND ALBUM (EXPANDED EDITION)
ESOTERIC 2637 (Barcode: 5013929473744) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock

Recorded: 1971 Released: 2018

This is a reissue of the second album by the British Progressive Rock group Curved AirFind albums by this artist, one of the most unique and ambitious representatives of the genre. The band was fronted by the charismatic and idiosyncratic female vocalist Sonja KristinaFind albums by this artist and included two classically trained musicians: violinist Darryl WayFind albums by this artist and keyboardist / guitarist Francis MonkmanFind albums by this artist. Bassist Ian EyreFind albums by this artist and drummer Florian Pilkington-MiksaFind albums by this artist completed the lineup. A string section was also used on this album. The album presented eight original songs written by Way and Monkman, which offered a unique amalgamation of British Folk, Classical Music, Electronic Music, Rock and Jazz influences, unmatched by any of their contemporaries. This remastered and expanded edition adds five BBC radio recordings and entire DVD of TV clips of the other video material by the band. The somewhat muddy sound quality of the original album was significantly improved on this reissue.

When originally released in 1971, the album (and the group) achieved both commercial success and critical acclaim, despite its unconventional sound and complexity, which of course was a sign of the times. Curved Air were one the first British acts to use the violin in their lineup (see also High Tide and East Of Eden) and the first to feature violin to such an extent. One of the songs on this album ("Back Street Luv") charted successfully and introduced the group to much wider audience beyond the strict Prog circle.

The two sides of the original LP album were quite different; the first side with the songs written by Way and lyrics by Kristina is more Rock oriented whereas the second side with songs by Monkman is much more complex and experimental and includes an almost thirteen minutes long epic track which closes the album.

Sonja Kristina remains to this very day one of the most distinctive Rock vocalists. She managed to maintain a steady, although less glamorous career over the years, producing a substantial volume of excellent music. She also fronts the reformed edition of Curved Air.

Overall this is one of the essential British Classic Rock / Prog albums, which lost absolutely nothing of its strength over time and still sounds fresh and moving today. This reissue is a splendid opportunity for the new generation of music listeners to discover this everlasting classic. Essential piece of music history!
Updated: 21/07/2019Posted: 19/07/2019CD+DVD 2 Digipak Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend

This site was designed and developed by Adam Baruch. All content (texts, photographs, graphics, sound files, etc.) on this web site © 2001-2025 Adam Baruch / Jazzis Ltd.