Pink Floyd - Wembley [1974]

The interest in collecting and trading Floyd bootlegs all over the world is incredible to say the least. There are hundreds of message boards spread all over dedicated to just this. Of course there are a lot of horrible bootlegs, barely listenable but tolerable to the die hard fanatic. Every once in a while one RoiO will sneak through and sound absolutely amazing, making you wonder why it was never officially released. Such is the case with this, the Wembley Pre-FM master.

If your looking for a dsotm tracklist of great quality than this is the one you want. The quality is just amazing! Most tracks have been extended and they encore Echoes. This is easily my favourite Floyd ROiO. Check it out, you won't be dissapointed this time.

Link P1: http://sharebee.com/da117991
Link P2: http://sharebee.com/3d7a3a6c

Lotus - Lotus [1974]

The style of this little-known Swedish quartet from the mid-70’s is hard to describe as it escapes most comparisons; the closest would be Finnforest, and perhaps Danish fusion band Secret Oyster. This is fusion at its best: energetic instrumental jazz-rock featuring dual guitars, electric piano/Hammond organ, bass and drums, and stunning musicianship all around. After the release of their second album in 1976, the band split up.

Although the tracks on their first album are rather short, each one is chock full of ideas and beautiful catchy melodies based on tight, 70ish-like jazzy grooves, all charmingly and distinctively Swedish

If you’re a fan of early Zappa or like bands such as Kebnekaise, Camel, Finnforest or Trettioariga Kriget, don’t let Lotus pass you by.

Link: http://sharebee.com/e41ed85a

Atlantis Philharmonic - Atlantis Philharmonic [1974]

This USA duo was formed in Cleveland during the early mid 70’s by Royce Gibson on drums and the multi instrumentalist Joe DiFazio on everything else.Their style is mostly the blending of Symphonic influences like Camel, ELP etc. with some fusion and a bit of hard rocky Moody Blues in moments. Their first and only LP is the 1974 self titled album released by the label “Deutsche Harmonia Mundi”.

The eclectic sound of this album has very characteristic features like the excellent vocals close to a blend of Psyche and Pop plus a hard edged guitar that reminds of Early ELP or The Nice. In tracks like "Friends" we can hear some heavy rock influence similar to Uriah Heep or Deep Purple, and "Atlantis" sounding more like the stuff Atomic Rooster was putting out. There is also some atmospheric touches like in the incredible "Woodsman" that also blends some Jazzy leanings.

This super rare, eclectic album with a clear classical orientation (As their name clearly suggests) is considered one of the earliest examples of USA Progressive rock. You won't be dissapointed.

Link: http://sharebee.com/c6ebbcdd

Neil Young - On The Beach [1974]

Released in 1974, 'On The Beach' found Young at his most vituperative. His guitarist Danny Whitten and roadie Bruce Berry had overdosed on heroin, his marriage had disintegrated and his son had been diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Most pointedly, there was a black disillusion with the hippy idealism and rewards of superstardom which had sustained him previously.

It's a nasty piece of work. "Good times are coming, but they're sure coming slow," he growls on 'Vampire Blues', one of a clutch of stunted 12-bars where Young's defeatist mood is matched by the torpid, sloppy brilliance of his playing. On the mighty 'Revolution Blues' he assumes the role of a Manson figure, slaying his fellow stars in their canyons. It's the one time on the record he sounds remotely happy.

Initially fans and critics were shocked with this release, as this was the long-awaited studio follow-up to the commercially and critically successful Harvest. Over time it has become one of his most respected works, and with good reason. The bleakness and crude production make for an amazing listening, one of my favourites!

Link: http://sharebee.com/3d3632ee

Larry Coryell - Introducing The Eleventh House [1974]

Larry Coryell stands on equal footing with John McLaughlin as one of the premier jazz fusion guitarists and this probably represents his finest achievement. Many people consider his earlier work with McLaughlin, 'Spaces' as writing the textbook for fusion style guitarwork, but to me, this is his greatest overall musical achievement. Comparisons to the original Mahavishnu Orchestra may seem to be inevitable considering the power and attack of the band's performance, but stylistically, the band plays much closer to the fusion/funk style of Herbie Hancock's Headhunters.

Their is not as much of an eastern influence as the Mahavishnu Orchestra and there seems to be a wider variety of tempo and stylistic diversity on this recording. The synthesizer runs and Randy Brecker's trumpet keep pace rather well with Coryell's intensity and the compositional framework is elaborate and melodically sophisticated. But the highlight, of course, is the blitzkrieg of notes being pummelled out of Coryell's guitar mostly trading with synthesizer and trumpet, intermingled with more mid tempo improvisations; but the dynamics and interaction feature not just beautifully intricate work, but ingenious melodic and harmonic scales befitting musicians of the highest technical accomplishment.

This is probably one of the most technically perfect fusion recordings out there; a joyous and awesome performance!

Link: http://sharebee.com/b96be80f

Yonin Bayashi - Isshoku Sokuhatsu [1974]

I'm going away for a few nights so i thought i'd leave you with this brilliant, semi-obscure, Japanese prog gem. The dudes were only 20 years old apon recording this and while they would go on to be huge in Japan, they never really seen the light of day elsewhere. Although they had developed their own fantastic sound, you can definitely notice the influence from some of the bigger British bands at the time. It's hard to name similarities but i would probably throw Camel, Nektar and maybe even a little Floyd into the mix. There is also some fantastic hard rock moments ala Captain Beyond, which really sound great.

Highly recommended if you can deal with the Japanese vocals, amazing stuff this!

Link: http://sharebee.com/ee4971e1

Magna Carta - Lord of the Ages [1974]

Ah, now this is a fantastic folk-rock record. Magna Carta’s music is largely inspired and influenced by the folk of Simon & Garfunkel, focussing on soft and gentle acoustic music, often with a traditional feel and great vocal harmonies. They were part of the early progressive wave, but without actually fully stepping into the progressive realm. I'd say people only add that prog folk tag after seeing the totally awesome Roger Dean cover (See the pictures on the right hand side of my blog) as well as the nature of some of the lyrics.

"Two Old Friends" is one of my all time favourite songs, you just have to hear it - great writing and absolutely stunning. The title track "Lord of the Ages" is truly Magna Carta's epic. It starts off as soft acoustic piece as the verses are spoken over a beautiful melody, with a haunting sung refrain. The theme is vaguely theological, being based on the Book of Revelations and the musings of Nostrodamus. Book of Revelations? Nostrodamus? How is this not prog!? As the track develops, the serene atmosphere is suddenly broken by a lead guitar burst. This introduces a much harder, rock based section that actually sounds quite like The Beatles at times.

They have another good record called "Seasons", but other than that they would never really reach the high point they hit with "Lord of the Ages". Any lover of folk will appreciate those tracks i mentioned, check it out!

"GATHERING IN THE HARVEST."

Link: http://sharebee.com/7512f9f0