Record Reviews
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  | AMAROK ~ AMAROK
ARS MUNDI 029 ~ POLAND ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 2001 Released: 2002
This is the 1st album by Polish Prog group AmarokFind albums by this artist, which created quite a stir when it first arrived on the scene. The group is in fact multi-instrumentalist / composer Michal WojtasFind albums by this artist and a bunch of guest artists. Strongly influenced by Mike OldfieldFind albums by this artist and Pink FloydFind albums by this artist (among many others), Wojtas manages to compose some great new music, which is very melodic and original in spite of the influences. He also plays many instruments, including all guitars and keyboards on this album, and there are a lot of these. Overall this is typical Prog stuff, which many listeners enjoy immensely and is definitely worth investigating. Recommended!
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  | KEVIN AYERS ~ HYDE PARK FREE CONCERT 1970
REEL RECORDINGS 002 (Barcode: 641444015627) ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene
Recorded: 1970 Released: 2007
After leaving the Soft MachineFind albums by this artist (of which he was a founding member) and recording the debut solo album (Joy Of A ToyFind albums with this title), guitarist / singer / composer Kevin AyersFind albums by this artist formed the Whole WorldFind albums by this artist band to record his second album (Shooting At The MoonFind albums with this title) and support its release by touring. This live recording captures the performance of Ayers and his band at the legendary London’s Hyde Park free concert, which had on the bill the most famous bands of the time performing in front of a 100,000 strong public – a record attendance to a rock venue in UK up to that time. Pink FloydFind albums by this artist performed their Atom Heart MotherFind albums with this title suite for the first time at that concert. Ayers and his cahoots, including David BedfordFind albums by this artist on keyboards, Lol CoxhillFind albums by this artist on saxophones, Mike OldfieldFind albums by this artist on bass and Robert WyattFind albums by this artist on drums, storm through a bunch of Kevin’s song with vengeance, as appropriate for such eclectic gig, and the whole set is captured exactly as it happened – a true piece of rock history. Coxhill’s brilliant contributions were always my favorite part of that particular band. The sonic quality might not be perfect, but considering this was a “field recording” done 37 years ago – who gives a damn? Priceless stuff!
| | | CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | KEVIN AYERS ~ STILL LIFE WITH GUITAR
MARKET SQUARE 112 (Barcode: 806676000289) ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene
Recorded: 1990 - 1991 Released: 2002
Legendary Canterbury hero Kevin AyersFind albums by this artist managed to keep his musical career aflame over the years by releasing splendid albums every now and then but staying away from the limelight. His ability to write well-crafted songs, which sound easy and simple, but are in fact often devilishly clever, earned him admiration and respect among his peers. This album was recorded when Ayers heard the debut album by Fairground AttractionFind albums by this artist, a short-lived UK Folk-Rock group, which blended many different genres into their music, from Folk and Country to Rock and Jazz, very similar to what Ayers used as his modus operandi. Ayers thought that it would be nice to record an album with the group and after pulling some strings his wish was granted. The cooperation obviously worked very well, as the resulting album is a blast from start to finish. Augmented by some of his regular musical collaborators, like guitarists Mike OldfieldFind albums by this artist and Ollie HalsallFind albums by this artist, Ayers presents a great set of his unique songs. A special merit goes to the fantastic Danny ThompsonFind albums by this artist, whose bass playing drives the music and gives it an overall Jazzy feel. It’s great to have this little gem back in circulation and the many Ayers fans will surely rejoice.
| | | CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | KEVIN AYERS ~ THE BBC SESSIONS 1970-1976
HUX 073 ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene
Another splendid release from the BBC vaults presenting the extraordinary work of Canterbury hero Kevin AyersFind albums by this artist, spanning a period from his early Soft MachineFind albums by this artist days and later solo career. The list of musicians playing with Ayers on these sessions looks like a who’s who of early 1970’s Canterbury scene, Prog and Jazz combined: Robert WyattFind albums by this artist, Mike OldfieldFind albums by this artist, Mike RatledgeFind albums by this artist, Andy SummersFind albums by this artist, Hugh HopperFind albums by this artist, Lol CoxhillFind albums by this artist, David BedfordFind albums by this artist, Elton DeanFind albums by this artist, Archie LeggettFind albums by this artist, Ollie HalsallFind albums by this artist & Zoot MoneyFind albums by this artist. The music is as adventurous and quirky as his usual output, with often humorous lyrics and plenty of instrumental passages to spice it all. This material is of immense historical importance and opens many windows to the understanding of the simmering UK musical scene at the time. The sound quality is excellent as usual for all the BBC recorded material. A must to all Canterbury scene fans.
| | | CD 2 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | KEVIN AYERS ~ WHAT MORE CAN I SAY…
REEL RECORDINGS 009 (Barcode: 641444032228) ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene
Recorded: 1970 - 1971 Released: 2008
Canterbury scene founder (or at least one of the founders) Kevin AyersFind albums by this artist reveals here a bunch of his private recordings (demos, outtakes, etc.) from the early days of his solo career (after leaving Soft MachineFind albums by this artist), recorded mostly by himself (vocals, guitar, piano) and all written by himself. A few regular cohorts (David BedfordFind albums by this artist – organ, Mike OldfieldFind albums by this artist – bass, Robert WyattFind albums by this artist – drums) give a helping hand on occasion, but mostly this is Ayers by himself, demonstrating his amazing songwriting abilities and a unique delivery. This is a superb document of the early 1970s music, but also of the social climate and the care-free approach to life that characterized the bohemian scene Ayers was so much a part of. "Portrait of an Artist as a young man" is a very suitable description and this is not only a historical document but also a delightful trip down the memory lane, back to times long gone and much missed. The dedicated Ayers fans will of course be delighted to listen to this material, and considering the fact that none of it was ever heard before this is a Canterbury Holy Grail in many respects. Wholeheartedly recommended!
| | | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | PEKKA POHJOLA ~ PIHKASILMA KAARNAKORVA (RESINEYE BARKEAR)
LOVE 071 (Barcode: 6417732010711) ~ FINLAND ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1972 Released: 2002
1st solo album by the brilliant Finnish Prog musician / composer Pekka PohjolaFind albums by this artist, presenting the first of his extended suites, to be followed by many more. Brilliant compositions and superb playing all over by the band, which includes the best Finnish Prog musicians. Pohjola`s extraordinary talent as player and composer were soon to be recognized outside of his home country, when he joined the Mike OldfieldFind albums by this artist´s group.
| | | CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | PEKKA POHJOLA ~ THE MATHEMATICIAN`S AIR DISPLAY
ESOTERIC 2177 (Barcode: 5013929727724) ~ FINLAND ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1976 Released: 2010
3rd album by Finnish bassist / composer Pekka PohjolaFind albums by this artist, one of the greatest Prog musicians of all times, who was a founding member of the legendary Finnish Prog band WigwamFind albums by this artist. Accompanied by the top European Jazz and Prog players of the time: Swedish guitarist Georg WadeniusFind albums by this artist, Polish keyboardist Wlodek GulkowskiFind albums by this artist, French drummer Pierre MoerlenFind albums by this artist, Finnish drummer Vesa AaltonenFind albums by this artist and of course British guitarist Mike OldfieldFind albums by this artist and his sister singer Sally OldfieldFind albums by this artist, the band performs music composed by Pohjola, which stylistically moves between Prog and Jazz-Rock Fusion. Pohjola´s extraordinary talent, both as a bassist and especially as a composer, were already magnificent at the time and would accompany him throughout his entire life, resulting in magnificent achievements, cut short only by his premature and tragic death in 2008. In retrospect this early effort is a milestone for European Prog and firmly establishes the superb Finnish contribution to the genre. This album was one of the very few Finnish albums to be released also in UK (on the VirginFind albums on this label label), shortly after it was released in his home country on the legendary LoveFind albums on this label label. Absolutely essential!
| | | CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | SCARLET THREAD ~ PSYKEDEELISIA LOUTSENIAULUJA
MELLOW 448 ~ FINLAND ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 2002 Released: 2003
1st album by Finnish Prog band Scarlet ThreadFind albums by this artist, which continues the splendid tradition of Prog in that country. Rather that providing yet another senseless copy of typical 1970s Prog, the band builds its music around folk elements, mixing them with Psychedelic and Prog influences. In fact the album is as much Prog as it is modern instrumental Folk-Rock. The unusual instrumentation: guitar and bass - Jani TimoniemiFind albums by this artist, violin – Eini PesalaFind albums by this artist, flute – Anni PesalaFind albums by this artist and drums – Panu KoskelaFind albums by this artist, creates a unique sound of the band, which is rarely encountered these days. The compositions are all lyrical and calm, but allow for plenty of interesting instrumental work, especially by the guitar, somewhat in the mold of early Mike OldfieldFind albums by this artist. This is definitely an impressive debut, which deserves to be listened to with attention. Recommended!
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