Out Of Focus - Palermo (2008)

Embarked on a Germanic culture promotion tour in Italy, OOF played some five or six gig in the peninsula, the last one being Palermo (Sicily) and it got recorded, even though some of it had to be thrown away due to an hilarious "cut the power" incident between the concert hall janitor and the band. The great Garden Of Delights released these tapes in 2008, placated a very average colour picture of the band and as usual took great care in giving all of the possible infos surrounding the gigs, hence the incident recounting mentioned above. Unlike many of the Live albums released by the label, the length of the session makes this release particularly worthy.

If you've been reading me for a while, you'll know I jumped on this album as soon as I heard of its release date, because OOF is one of those groups that have yet to find a flaw in their discography, even if out of their six albums, three are posthumous releases. This live album took place well after the release of their second eponymous album, which is about the time of their peak (arguably some will say the FLMA album is their apex), and I was expecting to hear a lot of that sophomore album. Surprisingly, only two of the six tracks are from any other albums of theirs (and both from the OOF disc), the other four being song projects interrupted by jams and extended solos. As usual with GOD releases, the sound is remarkably good, when not simply superb, and this is all the more enjoyable, because the disc allows us to see a side of the band that was not previously documented on disc before: OOF was as wild, energized and improvising on stage as they were in the studio and here, they played their set in continuity, most of the time linking their tracks together.

If the opening Whispering (taken from OOF) appears to be shortened from 13+ to roughly 9 minutes (not counting the first "crowd and adjustments" minute), but an extended Hennes Hering KB solo (this is close to a Moog experiment that Emerson would've done some two years before) links it with the (surprisingly?) Drechsler-credited Café Stilleto and its 13 minutes KB extravaganza. Again taking no time, the group unleashes into a Moran-credited groove (the I Want To See Your Face No More improv) where he pulls a lengthy flute solo, followed Spori's lengthy drum solo, directly leading in the Where Is Your Home Town improv with Moran pulling an excellent sax solo, joined by Hering's great underlining organ. There is a real track that was probably in the works in what I call the "improv", but obviously, it never saw the light of day.

The only time the group actually stops between tracks is at the start of Fly Bird/TV Program (taken from the eponymous album) that if extended, remains fairly faithful to the studio original, even if with OOF and certainly in the light of this release, such notion can be relative. The closing I'm Kissing Right (where the hell do they get their track titles??? ;o)) is probably the best "improv" of the album and might have been the closest to a future track, Moran not only having real lyrics and actually going wild on the scatting, yelling out his pleasure. I will allow just one comment on the attribution of track credits: on the three historic Kuckuck albums, the song-writing credits were all attributed to the full group, but in the three posthumous release, they are mostly credited to guitarist Dreschsler (a bit strange when knowing his guitar parts are not that determinant to the group's overall sound, but he was at the production desk) and sometimes Moran Neumuller.

So Palermo 72 gives us an excellent look at the live side of Out Of Focus, which seems not that much different from their studio facet, if you'll except an understandable looser and jammier mood on stage. While this live album might not be as strong as the three historic ones and Never Too Late, it certainly matches the usefulness of the Rats Road and is no lesss essential for progheads. OUT OF FOCUS Palermo 1972 music reviews and MP3 ( Review from Progarchives.com)


Songs / Tracks Listing 1- Whispering
2- Café Stiletto
3- I want to see your face no more
4- Where is your home town
5- Fly bird fly - Television program
6- I'm kissing right

Line-up / Musicians
Remigius Drechsler / guitar
Hennes Hering / keyboards
Moran / flute, sax, vocals
Stephan Wiesheu / bass
Klaus Spöri / drums

GET THIS ALBUM ON RDIO

Bjorn Jayson Lindh - Sissel (1973)

Superb album from 1973 by the swedish keyboard/ fluteplayer B J Lindh , featuring other luminaries such as Okay Temiz from Turkey on percussion, Lennart Arberg on Sax and Janne Schaffer on lead guitar.

Lindh's raspy Tull like Flute and Schaffers lead guitar are the highlights of this album. Check out below the title track Sissel where Schaffer plays a fantastic guitar solo near the end and Bull Dog whch features excellent flute work.

A very fine album with that typical swedish folksy sound but also with many east/west fusion elements.
 

Sissel

Bulldog

Out Of Focus - Out Of Focus (1971)

First album i heard from these top flight krautrockers and still my favourite.

This second album features the same line up as the first and has everything from the driving "What Can a poor Man Do" to the progressive jazz rock jam of the lengthy "Wisperings" and "Television Program"

Utterly superb progressive jazz /rock Krautrock fusion from a band who deserved wider recognition as every member does there thing from subtle flute to wild sax blowing and the searingly melodic guitar of "Dreschler" to the rock solid bass, and special mention to the terrific drumwork throughout. Definite teamwork here!

An essential krautrock masterpiece!

Songs / Tracks Listing 1. What Can a Poor Boy Do (5:52) 

2. It's Your Life (4:31)

3. Whispering (13:34)

4. Blue Sunday Morning (8:20)

5. Fly Bird Fly (5:09)

6. Television Program (11:45)

Total Time: 49:11

Line-up / Musicians

- Remingius Drechsler / guitars, stylophone, tenor saxophone, flutes, voice 

- Hennes Hering / organ, piano

- Moran Neumüller / soprano saxophone, vocals

- Klaus Spöri / drums

- Stephen Wishen / bass

GET THIS ALBUM ON RDIO

Jean Philippe Goude - Drones (1979)

Ex Weidorje keyboardists rare first solo album features a really impressive line up of some of Frances most respected and talented musicians. Like Weidorje the music is similar in style and just as great!. I feel each track is well worthy of a description..... so here goes:

"Saturnales" has great rumbling bass and complex drums which is definitely very much like Weideorje" which also features vocals from "Klaus Blasquiz". A must for "Magma" fans for sure! A classic zeuhl track!

"Sicilienne" is a brief melodic synth and vocal piece.

"Machine" is very dark and features "Richard Pinhas" on rhythmic synth and an ensemble of strings. Rather like "Heldon" meets "Weidorje" A wonderfully inventive systemic classical tinged zeuhl piece.

"Drole D' Ere" begins with reflective and moody piano and synths which is later joined by drums, bass and violin by "David Rose" This recalls some of "Troll" or "Joel Dugrenot". A very beautful melody on this piece.

"Coma" is just Piano & Synth by "J P Goude". A great avant piece with mostly unusual synth tones creating an industrial feel.

"Trepidanse" is lively and again recalls some "Troll" or even some "Minimum Vital" with that Breton rock sound. Excellent!

"Duo" is similar with "J P Gode" just playing synths.

"Dies Irae" is a  super zeuhl fusion track with "J M Kajdan" on guitar ( three other guitar players too) and bass,drums battling it out with a touch "Univers Zero". A fantastic track and probably my favourite piece on the album.

"Tintinnabulum" the longest track here is once again systemic with piano , drums and guitars. Some nice oriental flourishes here with "Klaus Blasquiz" once again on vocals. A great "Magma" "Weidorje" styled piece with some cool electric guitar too. Another outstanding track here!

"Cantilene" is another very interesting Piano Synth piece.

"Trio De Mini Moogs" is played by just moogs and features "Benoit Widemann". Fine musicianship once again here and a delightfully quirky piece for sure.

A classic album and an absolute must for anyone into the zeuhl style.

Songs/Listing

1 Saturnales
2 Sicilienne
3 Machine
4 Drole D' Ere
5 Coma
6 Trepidanse
7 Duo
8 Dies Irae
9 Tintinnabulum
10 Cantilene
11 Trio De Mini Moogs (Bonus Song)

Line Up/Personel

Bernard Paganotti
Patrick Gautier
Klaus Blasquiz
Kurt Rust
David rose
Richard Pinhas
Michel Ettori
etc.....etc......etc

Download mp3

Tantra - Misterios E Maravilhas (1977)

The legendary Portugese progressive rock bands first album is justifiably very highly regarded in many quarters. Excellent compositions and musicianship shine through on every track.

 To make comparisons one could cetainly quote "King Crimson" "Yes" "Gentle Giant" and Italian legends like "PFM" or "Osanna" and on occasion the fieryness of "Mahavishnu Orchestra". The first and last tracks are more dreamy progressive rock styled whereas the bulk of the other tracks are more fusion based.

From dreamy symphonic rock passages to fiery progressive fusion with guitars and wonderfull percussives/ keys, it's all here with many flavors and just a few well placed vocals. Only downside is a rather dullish recording, but the quality of the music certainly makes up for this.
Download

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. A Beira Do Fim (11:01)
2. Aventuras De Um Dragao Num Aquario (2:09)
3. Misterios E Maravilhas (6:19)
4. Maquina Da Felicidade (13:39)
5. Variacoes Sobre Uma Galaxia (1:24)
6. Partir Sempre (9:29)

Total Time: 54:01

Line-up / Musicians

 Armando Gama / keyboards
 Americo Luis / bass
 Manuel Cardoso / guitar
 To Ze Almeida / drums

Fermata - Dunajska Legenda (1980)

Another highly charged album from "Fermata" with more of that superb guitarwork by "Frantislek Griglak".

Check out "wikina" which is very Mahavishnu styled with fiery guitar. Also "Chotemir" with terrific guitar and melodies, and for some really nice vocals and acoustic guitar go to "Witemir". Favourite tracks though are " Unzat" and "Zilic" with it's syncopated rhythms.

You will fnd this album somewhat more varied than there previous ones and does on occasion sound a little cold in places, but this doesn't take away the albums sheer brilliance from this very talented band who are one of the premium jazz rock/ fusion outfits.

FERMÁTA music, discography, MP3, videos and reviews

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Wlkina (4:09)
2. Chotemir (6:13)
3. Witemir (3:17)
4. Unzat (5:48)
5. Trebiz (6:14)
6. Zilic (3:31)
7. Zuemin (4:52)
8. Koceľ (5:19)

Total Time: 39:23

Bonus tracks on Bonton CD re-isssue (1999):
9. Program Začína
10. Tvár
Lyrics

Line-up / Musicians

- Frantisek Griglák / guitars, keyboards, synthesizers, vocals
- Tomás Berka / keyboards, synthesizers, vocals
- Karol Oláh / drums, percussion
- Fedor Freso / bass, vocals

Fermata Opus Remasters Edition

Fermata - Rendez-Vous ( Live )

Ragnarok - Fata Morgana (1981)

The very rare masterpiece from Swedens "Ragnarok" which unlike there lighter previous album ( though a classic ) this is a scorcher with blistering guitar and brass with that unique swedish sound. Take "Fata Morgana" an unbelievebly heavy piece which sounds unlike anything else really in the jazz rock field. Totally unique and innovative while swinging in certain parts as on "Jatora Em Bak". Then there's the excellent "Vild Av Friden" a ballad like instrumental with gritty sax blasting away in a surge of emotive power.

"Leningrad 1 & 2 are probably my favourite tracks, beginning with gentle acoustic guitars and flute, but then becoming disquiting and more intense before returning to the opening theme. Then xylophone and a throbbing bass clash with rolling drums as the piece gets more intense and builds with fuzzed guitar screams and dirty sax colliding in a marching whirlpool of sound . Suddenly a melody breaks in and we reach the climax.

The heaviest is yet to come though in the form of "Elephanten Da Tagat" , another astounding track which pulls together all the elements of the whole album. Finally we go out on a more reflective note with "Eskapage"

This is truly an unbelievable album and one of my very top recommendations, especially if you like your jazz rock more innovative folky progressive and heavy.

"Fata Morgana" is in a style of it's own partly due to the very individual "Peter Bryngellson" guitar sound. Don't miss it!!



Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Midvinterblot I
2. Fata Morgana
3. Jatora em Bak
4. Vild av Friden
5. Leningrad I & II
6. Midvinterblot II
7. Elefanten pa Taget
8. Eskapage

Line-up / Musicians

- Peter Bryngelsson / guitars, keyboards, xylophone, bouzouki, glocken spiel
- Tomas Wiegert / drums, xylophone
- Kjell Karlgren / sax, flute, keyboards
- Per F. Andersson / bass, xylophone, glocken spiel, trumpiano
- Magnus Jarlbo / trumpet, flugel hron, keyboards

Neo - Neo (1980)

An obscure French band whose sole album is a really classic fiery spacey progressive rock instrumental with absolutely scorching guitarwork throughout and theres lots of nice sax work too.

The pace does let up a little on tracks "Joiwind" and "Plage 2" which are excellent full on melodic synth based tracks with some "Klaus Schulze" type sound.

An amazing album for sure and a splendid mix of light and dark space rock fusion elements

1 Osibirsk
2 Scene de Chasse
3 Joiwind
4 Neoplasme
5 Sortie de bain
6 Plage 2


Line Up

Bass Guitar - André Paul
Drums, Percussion -Ric Haven
Guitar -André Pélerin
Keyboards -Schlapp
Saxophone, Flute -Didier Erard