Luxus - Brown Matter / The Thinker. 1977 USA ~ Cleveland, Ohio

An exciting new find here! Based on very recent data (as in since I purchased this only a few months ago), it appears Luxus were from Cleveland and they recorded this one single (33 RPM) in 1977. It's 12 minutes long, so an EP length really. And what a 12 minutes! This is such a bullseye for the Midwestern progressive rock sound, it practically defines it. Starts off a bit slow on 'Brown Matter' with a proggy AOR ballad like sound. Have no fear, as once the guitar gets to riffing, we never turn back. Brilliant proggy hard rock, with complex meters and great solos. This is only the setup to the sublime 'The Thinker'. No messing around this time, as the guitar gets to blazing right away. Rush seems to be an influence here, which is a little early for that band's influence to begin creeping into the garage. The progressions are more complex though, similar to Yes, Gentle Giant, or even Yezda Urfa. It's hard rock in the same way as Seiche or UHF, that is to say this is thinking person's heavy music for sure (as the title indicates) - but it's also mid 70s progressive rock in spirit. Keyboards play a minor role, mostly what sounds like an ARP string synth. It's the killer guitar breaks and solos that makes this one so special. Would be great if they had more material. It would be considered a top tier archival release for sure.

11/13

Own. Acquired in 2020.

4/23/20; 7/20/20 (review / new entry)

Highway - Special Love / Why Me. 1972 USA

'Special Love' is a fine pop psych track with melodic trumpet, and a superb jazz tone guitar solo. Great singing, and the perfect kind of sunshine pop tune. 'Why Me' is definitely darker in mood, and also features an excellent lightly amplified guitar solo. This track is more psychedelic and less on the horn rock. Superb. These guys must have some jazz school in them. Musically could be compared to the Ides of March, though it doesn't feature a full brass section and there's no fuzz. Considering this last point, Whoa Nelly if it did, from a collector's standpoint. Doesn't matter to me, I'm keeping it!

Best guess is this 33 RPM single (as you can see - at 7:38 minutes for both tracks) is from 1969 or 1970. Absolutely no clue where it's from, though the USA at least is a good bet. 

3/30/26 update: 1972 is the confirmed date.

10/11

Own. Acquired in 2020.

4/19/20; 7/16/20 (review / new entry)