RARE BIRD – BEAUTIFUL SCARLET: THE RECORDINGS (1969-1975) EPIC FOREST (Esoteric Recordings) (CD boxset) (the third album) This is one of my favourite albums, period. While there is no more keyboard dualling (Graham Field has left to form Fields. Mark Ashton has also gone to be replaced by Fred Kelly on drums), there is plenty of guitar interplay to make up for it. It’s hard for me to spot a weakness on Rare Bird’s first of three albums for Polydor and the single, an EP really

‘What You Want to Know’ is a strong opening ballad. The mono single is also included. The replica gatefold sleeve is also much appreciated and, of course, the informative booklet and poster. The four part ‘Flight’ takes up the whole of side and this signals the more progressive approach taken. The keyboard palette has changed with what sounds like a harpsichord on ‘Down on the Floor’. ‘Hammerhead’ could have been a Van Der Graaf Generator song and was released as a mono singl

Rare Bird existed for just six years but what a six years! Each album provided something unique, labelled under progressive rock but not so easily pigeonholed. The bittersweet ‘You Went Away; finishes with a short drum solo (Mark Ashton), for heaven’s sake. It is 1969 and Rare Bird would enjoy success with ‘Sympathy’, later covered by Marillion. They also had two keyboard players: David Kafinetti (piano. Synth) and Graham Field (organ). Steve Gould was the bassist/ vocalist,

FROM THE ARCHIVE I have been reviewing the prolific improvisational space rocker Øresund Space Collective . Going back to “Ode to A Black Hole ” (2016), also by is very different. The synths take centre stage to a backdrop of heavy toms recalling the feel of Pink Floyd ’s early space explorations, guitar making an appearance later on in the second (long) piece, in a kind of Tangerine Dream  way. Mind you, it’s more of a tranquil, trippy experience than a being ripped apart as

THE MUSIC: Caravaggio is an Art Prog band with a Mediterranean flavour. A classic rock lineup – INSTRUMENTS:  electric guitar, bass and drums – meets traditional Mediterranean instruments such as accordion, bouzouki, mandolin, percussion, jigsaw WHAT’S IN IT FOR PROG LOVERS?: A distinctive sound that explores the boundaries between art rock, hard rock, world music, and progressive rock COMPOSITION:  Unconventional chords, ethnic melodies and jazz harmonies are frequently used

The prolific Santtu Laakso AKA Astral Magic along with Jonathan Sigel on guitar and violin and Shane Beck’s spoken word/ poetry is back once again asking the question – are we being watched by alien beings? A big question and a legitimate one. The musical groove starts on ‘Wormhole’ with some nice guitar fills. ‘Vector Equilibrium’ is a swirl of synthesiser as Shane continues the narrative. ‘It’s all Just a Simulation’ is like a mirror image of ‘Wormhole’, and similarly intox

‘ Running in the Gutter’ is BABAL’S 13th album, as we enter an “immersive world of intense lyricism and musical ideas” in “a beautifully crafted selection of hypnotic and rhythmic pieces, each delving deeply into the world we think we know.” The lyrics and strident vocals are in the DNA of the music with room for improvisation. “Could it be argued that Crass are joining forces with Cardiacs to deliver a Beefheart take on Byrne?” the press release asks. Kevin Rowland says the

The Swedish-based duo Us and Them’s stock in trade is vocal harmonies and strong melodies with elements of folk, psychedelia and baroque pop. Their “Introduction To” (also on Fruits de Mer) was a sell-out. Britt and Anders of the band explain the intention behind this somewhat introspective release: "While working on it, the songs were pulling in two directions, partly towards the pastoral and idyllic - a kind of escape from reality and a denial of the world that is going on

Featuring Paul "Sandy" Davis (lead vocals, 12-string guitar), Alan Cowderoy (lead guitar, vocals), Martin Kitcat (Mellotron, organ, piano, vocals), Tim Wheatley (bass, vocals) and Robert Lipson (drums), the band first came to prominence in 1968 when they supported The Who on tour. They recorded a single for Polydor Records before a support slot for King Crimson in 1969 led to them purchasing a mellotron and changing style. In 1970 their debut self-titled album appeared on the

I am sorry to keep harpjng on about this but I thought it might be helpful if I listed the music it will take me some time to listen and review it. This is on my To Do list. Help! If you haven't reviewed before I will give you 25 years of experience. I have no problem with sharing reviews with other sites either, not at moment anyway, Labels requiring review MOON JUNE CUNEIFORM MARACASH MYLODON GREYDISC JAZZ LABELS previously reviewed on DISS and some new ones perhaps, Also w

Advance orders are being taken for this popular band. Its driving rock reminded me of The Bevis Frond and there's not many lyricists mention the National Geographic nor fridge magnets as it happens. 'STP' (Space time deception) is far out psychedelia taking me back to the Syd Barretts or and Kevin Ayres of this world - with a touch of Hendrix- loved the heavy bass. and phased drumming btw.

Due to the backlog of reviewing because of a lengthy stay in hospital I am not only looking for other reviewers to help out but also must prioritise physical product i.e. CDs, vinyl or tape. Well done FRUITS DE MER! If you need my postage details please do not hesitate. There must be potential or established reviewers out there to join me in keeping this 10,000 plus visitors in 18 months going.

Listening to this album at the moment. I am sorry I don't have time for my usual detailed reviews. Followers of FdM will be familiar with Jacqueline and The Honey Pot, and members of Tir Na Nog and Icarus Peel also lend a hand (there are 19 songs). "Smoke Road" is acid folk and psych of the highest order. If this is your scene this ambitious project ranks as essential.

Fans of the band's proto-metal-prog will find much to appreciate in this music with a dark, modern edge, Notwithstanding that the 'sole survivor; Steve Bolton is joined by a band of keen apprentices, the new Atomic Rooster are undertaking a UK and Europe wide tour to promote the album, in the true spirit of the Rooster.

BEHIND THE SUN COLLECTIVE (Fruits de Mer 7", 2025) Impressing at the FdM 2024 summer festival, this genre defying band has produced a faithful rendition of Marc Bolan's 'Children of the Revolution' b/w a cover of Funkadelic's 'Maggot Brain', Check them out!

Phil is back home after a prolonged stay in hospital. New reviews are being added again to the site again. We thank you for your patience. If you would like to join what is essentially a one man reviewing show, your help would be much appreciated to clear the backlog of reviews. Simply e-mail me at phil7jackson@madasafish.com (Having trouble with Outlook at the moment).

How this for a list? King Crimson, U.K., Asia, Roxy Music, Family, Uriah Hepp, Wishbone Ash. The box set had been curated by the Wetton estate culled from live performances. To name just a few of the highlights 1) Heat of the Moment 2) Easy Money 3) In the Dead of Night 4) Starless and Bible Black 5) The Night Watch 6) Book of Saturday 7) Sole Survivor Need I go on? There is quite a bit of repetition in set lists spanning Tokyo (1997/1999) and quite a few surprises such as gu

Gary: 'Composed by Alexander Shulgin the mainstay of material was for solo and double tracked acoustic piano. A special request came from Alexander to involve a special guest performer of my choice for composition number 13! Since I had a vaguely Indian flavour to my arrangment of this piece (in a count of 7 beats) I decided acoustic guitar would be pretty 'nice'. The response from Bandcamp has been striking as another little gem emerges. Credits: Gary Husband - Piano, Arrang

A classic no doubt but why another version? Simply put this mono edition has a more equitable division of labour in rectifying the predominance of Mulligan in the stereo mix. The choice of material is ace, ably assisted by an emphatic rhythm section of Wilbur Ware and Shadow Wilson. The duo is equally at home on swing and blues modes with Mulligan's 'Decidedly' and Monk's jazz standards. 'Straight No Chaser' and 'Round Midnight' illustrating the timeless strength of the album