Meduza - Dimé. 1978 USA-New Mexico

Meduza were from Albuquerque, New Mexico and released this one 45, with the same song on both sides. It's a strong example of Santana influenced Latin rock, with perhaps a bit more Hispanic culture thrown in. Excellent guitar and percussion. Complete unknown as I write this. It's been said this might have been recorded in 1978.

2/23/20 (new entry)

Marianus - Magical Man / Prelude to Magical Man. 1980 USA-Boston

It's been many a year since I heard Boston based Marianus' sole album Visions from Out of the Blue. I don't recall much great about it - but clearly I missed the boat on some of it. 'Magical Man' is probably more inline with my memory. It's something of a New Wave / AOR / prog hybrid. Not too bad actually in reflection, and certainly the kind of sounds I would have scoffed at 20 years ago. But the real money here is 'Prelude to Magical Man', which is just slathered in mellotron. As atmospheric as one could possibly hope for. It looks like it's simply known as 'Prelude' on the album proper.

Ownership: SP: 1980 Jupiter Phonodisc. No real reason to seek out this 45 to be honest, as the LP isn't out of reach cost wise. I just happened to pick this one up on the cheap, while getting some other albums online. I'll keep it.

2/23/20 (first listen / review / new entry)

Quorum - April's Song / Dream a Dream. 1975 USA-Detroit

Oh, how do I wish to hear a whole album by these guys (archival tapes anyone?). From Michigan, they completely fit my ideal for the classic "Midwest Progressive rock" band of the mid to late 70s,  that I've cataloged to death here and other places. There are only two short tracks on this 45, and yet in these moments we hear the defining characteristics of the region and era: Commercial and FM ready, yet complex and very much progressive in its execution. We can dream I suppose...

Ownership: SP: 1975 Quorum. Online acquisition (2020).

3/17/14 (first listen); 2/23/20 (review / new entry)

Tinta Blanca - Todo va a Cambiar / Salmo VII / Avándaro / Virginia. 1971-72 Mexico

Well here's something interesting. Ostensibly Mexico's Tinta Blanca belongs to the horn rock genre. All the trademarks are here including the gravelly vocals (in English), electric guitar solos, jamming organ, and of course the horns. But here's the kicker. Those horns aren't Chicago, BS&T styled horns. No, we're talking Mexican brass here. As in Ranchera, cabrón. (what you're hearing at a Mexican restaurant OK?). It's a bit disorienting at first, but I found myself warming up to it. And Salma VII features some wicked extended guitar soloing like Terry Kath. Yea, I think I want more of this.

'Avándaro' (a Woodstock-like festival held in Mexico in 1971 that has quite a history, including Tinta Blanca) is largely a continuation of the previous single, except they're now singing (properly) in Spanish. It's a bit more jazzy, and there's even saxophone, organ, and drum solos this time. But the Mexican brass remains. 'Virginia' finally sees the band slowing things down for an attempt at a ballad, though it's hardly corridos. Still plenty of great instrumental breaks. I find myself fascinated by Tinta Blanca. How about an archival release? Surely there must be some unreleased early 70s recordings hiding somewhere...

2/13/20

TNS - Time's Up / Telling Your Fortune. 1971 USA-Michigan

TNS were a high school band from Wyoming, Michigan (near Grand Rapids) who only released this one fantastic single. Alternately they used the acronym to mean Take No Shit, Tougher'N Shit - or for the wedding receptions - simply The Nichols Sound. 'Time's Up' is just one of those gems of the American underground. Hard rock, or in reality proto metal, with some heavy riffing, screaming vocals, and lethal guitar solos. 'Telling Your Fortune' is a cover of the Chicken Shack song from 1970, and is also amplified considerably. According to their bio, the band recorded this in 1971. No release date was given, though 1972 seems to have taken hold in the internet age. Either way, it's definitely of that era. Supposedly 500 copies were pressed, but good luck in actually finding one of them. 

'Time's Up' is part of the Warfaring Strangers: Acid Nightmares compilation CD that I own. 

9/5/19 (first listen to the a side); 2/10/20 

The Blow Mind - We Won't Go Back to the Past / They're Coming. 1970 France

The only release from this obscure French band. Released in 1970, it's pretty much nonstop guitar solos over mumbling English vocals. Really captures the wasted ethos of the era. Not going to win any awards for composition or skillful playing, but that's part of the allure honestly. This is for us guys who enjoyed playing football in the mud when we were kids.

The second track looks to be on at least one legit comp (on World in Sound) that has another song I quite like.

2/10/20

Dick Rabbit - Love / Trip. 1969 USA-Michigan

Dick Rabbit were a band from Bay City, Michigan (near Saginaw) who played in the Detroit scene with The Amboy Dukes and The Stooges. 'Love' is completely immersed in the zonked out Hendrix zone and is brilliant. 'Trip' is a Donovan cover and is a bit more coherent, but less exciting.

2/10/20

Conjunto Cacique - Cacique / You Don't Need to Lose Her. 1974 Dominican Republic

Conjunto Cacique were an obscure group from the Dominican Republic (colloquially known as DR - at least in the States). To the best of my knowledge all that exists from them is this one 45 released in Colombia. The title track is an instrumental groovy Latin rock number with excellent electric keyboards, some fine lead guitar, a funky rhythm section, and additional percussion. 'You Don't Need to Lose Her' is similar, though recorded live and has English vocals. So... the elephant in the room is shall I address 1969 to 1971 era Santana here? Absolutely. Very much in the spirit of bands like Bwana, Antique, and Sapo. I'm a fan of the style, so this goes straight to the win column. Hopefully there's more where this came from and an archival release appears.

2/8/20

Tac Poum Systeme - Asmodaï / Il fait bon / Josica / Emotion. 1971-72 France

Tac Poum Systeme were a band from Paris and one of the leading lights of the era, but disbanded before releasing a full LP. They left behind 2 singles and a lengthy cut on the Groovy Pop Session compilation. I didn't realize until now that Fernand Pena was one of the key members of the band, as I've owned his album with the group Puzzle (1977) for some years. And it's considerably different to the harder rocking Tac Poum Systeme.

After hearing both singles back to back, the winning song by a good margin is 'Asmodaï'. Sounding like Cream, but with a heavier fuzz attack ala Blue Cheer, it's one of those early 70s European hard psychedelic rock classics. The flip side 'Il Fait Bon' is good but rather nondescript when compared to the A side.

As for Tac Poum Systeme's second single, the band is already looking to chart. 'Josica' is clearly pandering to the masses, and is mostly a swing and a miss. It has some rougher edges regarding the guitar work, so there's some redeemable value. 'Emotion' is Tac Poum Systeme imitating the Rolling Stones - again perhaps a bit heavier - but nothing to get too excited about.

And yet another familiar name is brought to the fore. The producer is none other than Claude Perraudin, who I know from his electronic oriented Mutation 24 album.

The best part of this single is the picture sleeve. That would make a great album cover. Perhaps if they do find some extra material from the band to make a full album, that's the cover they should use.

Speaking of that, something tells me this era of Tac Poum Systeme has more recorded material hiding in a vault somewhere. Time to unleash that.

2/6/20

Mickey & Them - U.F.O. / Hey, Brother Man. 1973 USA-San Antonio

Mickey & Them is a pseudonym for Mickey & The Soul Generation, a funk band from San Antonio (that I'm not familiar with - yet). Now San Antonio is ground zero if you want to immerse yourself into the Hispanic culture of Texas. So I was expecting more of a Latin groove here, but the band represents more of the African American culture of the times. 'U.F.O' is a very interesting single - it's all instrumental, super laid back, with a fascinating electric harpsichord driven melody. It's such a subtle song for a 7 inch - more like a middle album cut. 'Hey, Brother Man' is more typical funk, but features some excellent rhythm guitar. 

2/6/20

Berenice - Alors Dieu Chatia l'Homme / Please Pretty Girl. 1970 France

I have to admit that I'm drawn to psychotic ramblings in French, even if I have little idea of what they're going on about. The language is so perfect for it. Berenice gives me that pleasure on 'Alors Dieu Chatia l'Homme', along with some wicked fuzz soloing at the end. 'Please Pretty Girl' is a slow cooker, but not without merit. Definitely a band that had some innovative ideas. Whether or not they ever explored them beyond this single remains to be heard.

2/6/20 

Nirvana - Duh / Kome da Kažem. 1975 Croatia

Usually when I hear of a 45 single as "progressive rock", I take it with a grain of salt. Yet another dealer trying to pawn off their commercial rock single as "prog". And yes it happens a lot.

Nirvana is definitely progressive rock. Even though they are only a guitar trio here, the band constantly twists and turns through these songs. And it's hard rocking as well, marrying two of my favorite styles together. 'Duh' (Ghost) is slightly better, but I found both tracks easy on the ears. As I was scrambling for comparisons, the first band that came to mind was Argentina's El Reloj of all groups, but with only one guitar. It's the just the way the songs unfold. Nirvana sings in the native tongue, all the better as far as I'm concerned.

Other than this single, Nirvana were on two festival LP comps. If the band is this creative with their singles, then one has to think they could go deep on album. We can only hope that there are recordings lying around in Zagreb somewhere. Anywhere.

2/6/20

Ezra - Pax '72 / Hold On. 1973 USA-New Jersey

From Hackensack. 'Pax '72' is super - the kind of heavy prog rock you find in Germany at this time. It sounds all the world like a typical Krautrock track from 1971. Heavy jamming organ and guitars lead the way, with plenty of ideas to keep it from simply being labeled hard rock. 'Hold On' comes straight out of the Grand Funk Railroad school, particularly evident in the chorus section. It's this track that points to an American heritage.

2/5/20

Virus - Le Temps de Vivre / Mary-Jeanne. 1973 France

'Le temps de vivre' is a silly French pop song (like really silly). 'Mary-Jeanne' is completely different, and shows that Virus were an atmospheric prog band at heart, calling on early Pink Floyd and the neighboring Krautrock scene. Hard to imagine it's the same band. It's like those crazy American 45's that have a fuzz blaster on one side, and then some hillbilly song or something nutty like that on the other. Would be most interesting if Virus recorded more that has yet to surface.

2/4/20

Xebec - Seventy Five / Dissonet + Live. 1975 USA-Michigan

Interesting to note that RYM lists FIVE bands with the name Xebec. To me, on first glance, it looks like the name of an Aztec god... or something. So what is a Xebec anyway? A Mediterranean sailing ship used for trading in the 1700s. Well isn't that exciting. Guessing then, using the age-old trick of looking for a band name in the trusty Webster's, this one stood out.

OK, then, what was I talking about? Yes, a band named Xebec. This particular group with the sailing ship moniker was from the western Michigan town of Grand Rapids, and who managed to eek out this one obscure 45 before completely falling off the face of the Earth - and remains undiscovered as we speak. Tragedy that. Because this is - stop me if you've heard this before from moi - a bullseye for the Midwest progressive rock sound of the 1970s. Just down the road from these guys were three Chicago bands: Yezda Urfa, Pentwater, and Graced Lightning. If you're familiar with any of those, then you know what to expect here. This falls on the complex side of the genre. Awesome.

The single itself features a near four minute instrumental ('Dissonet') as well as a seven minute cover of Touch's pioneering Seventy Five, which would have been an enlightened choice in 1975, long before that album enjoyed a renaissance.

====

I was also a sent a full live recording from The AC that shows the band stretching out. The original material is fantastic, as well as the covers - which include Yes, Genesis, and Gentle Giant. So yea, these guys were hardcore progheads even back then. The recording itself has many dropouts, but still worthy of a greater audience.

Hopefully Xebec is sitting on a full canister of unreleased studio and live tapes. This one is begging for an archival release.

This was from the last batch of discoveries from The AC in early 2015. Here were his notes to us: "Xebec are one of America's many "lost" progressive rock bands of the 1970s. They existed for a few years in the fertile prog underground scene of the upper midwest (Grand Rapids, Michigan in this case), but only managed to release one virtually unknown EP before packing it in and going their separate ways. However, like many such bands, there is more unheard material sitting in the vault, so to speak. The studio tracks consist of one instrumental original and a very intriguing cover of Touch's seminal "Seventy Five", given a mid 70s midwestern prog makeover. The lengthy and fairly well recorded (though a bit rough in spots) live set consists of a few originals and a number of covers, this time including Yes, Genesis, and Gentle Giant, but once again sounding so distinctly midwest prog as to almost become their own unique entities. The originals are a mixture of very Yes-inspired progressive songs and a couple of more experimental instrumental tracks, including an alternately spacey and aggressive 9+ minute number that's pretty amazing. Back in the heyday of US prog reissues/archival releases, I could have seen labels like Syn-Phonic or Shroom putting this material out, but these days I'm not sure it would fly. Regardless, this stuff is pure gold for those interested in this particular time, place and style."

Ownership: SP: 1975 Ultra Promo. Recent online acquisition (2020). Interesting to note that even though this is a 7 inch, it's still at 33 RPM. They probably figured most prog guys didn't have a turntable that played 45's....

11/5/15 (first listen / review); 1/28/20 (update / new entry)

Balthazar - La Marche des Travailleurs / C'est Bon. 1968 France

The A side is punk psych with French vocals, hyperactive drums, and fuzzy guitar. The B side predicts the French Theatrical movement as brought forth by Ange and the likes. But much more psychedelic of course given the year. A pioneering work. 

Confusingly there is another French band with the name Balthazar that are apparently pure pop. 

10/22/19

Adam's Recital - There's No Place For Lonely People / New York City. 1967 Belgium

'There's No Place for Lonely People' is a killer track with great energy, fuzz guitar, and a good tune to boot. Haven't heard the flip, but this will get 4 stars no matter what.  This appears to be the total output from this fine Belgian group. This title does exist on a couple of legal comps, but not 'New York City'.

9/8/19

Douglas Idaho - Prince Of Darkness / Taming the Snake. USA

When I see a name like Douglas Idaho planted on a 45 single, I'm thinking country music all the way. But wait a minute 'Prince of Darkness' isn't any old 'Down in Abilene' is it? Turns out Douglas Idaho is (are) from Minneapolis*. Is it a group or an individual, I haven't the slightest (though group seems likely given that a one Dave Moltzen is the author, not Douglas Idaho). Obscure as they come. I've only heard the aforementioned track which is a kind of long form folk psychedelia with excellent electric guitar solos. Sounds more like an LP cut than a single, and begs us to hear more. Of which I would like to. To the best of my knowledge, this 45 does not exist on any comps. I have not heard 'Taming the Snake' to date.

*Wait - now that I think about it, Sound 80 was a custom pressing plant in Minneapolis. I have one 45 here on the label from a country band actually. So I have no idea where they are from, truth be told. And there's no date on the 45 either, so not sure the corroborating data for it being from 1974 (as some sites report).

9/8/19

Tribal Sinfonia - Do You Want Me / Something Has You Turned Around. 1970 USA-Detroit

Tribal Sinfonia were a band from Detroit, but their sound was a bit removed from the usual heavy funk / soul /acid groups of the locale. Here one picks up hints of Latin rock era Santana, and there's some wonderful fuzz, flute, horns, and harmony. Also I can hear some of New York state's finest - Micah - in these grooves. 

9/8/19 

Harlequin - Trees / What's Your Pleasure. 1974 USA-New York

Harlequin is that rare breed - a progressive rock band that released only a 45 single. As I stated on the Christian Friday (Indiana) review: "Progressive rock and the 45 single are somewhat mutually exclusive anyway." Prog rock is the ultimate long form rock music and 45s are... not. Long form that is.

In any case, this Long Island based Harlequin is often confused with another New York based Harlequin that once featured Eric Adams on vocals (yea, the Manowar guy). 

The two tracks here are excellent. 'Trees' recalls early King Crimson and Genesis, whereas 'What's Your Pleasure' brings to mind - yet another Long Island band - Cathedral. Bucket loads of mellotron on both songs here for fans of the instrument.

9/8/19 

These two tracks are not on any comps that I'm aware of. It would be great to have an all-American non-LP, non-reissued comp of progressive rock 45s or unreleased tracks released on CD (or LP is you insist). I can think of a few off the top: Xebec, Christian Friday, PBX, Graced Lightning (it's only half an album so why not?), Vesuvius, Traum, Apocalypse, Quorum, Guardian, and now Harlequin. Shoot, maybe even throw in the proggy tracks from otherwise not-very-good obscure albums like Luna Sea and Skyeros. OK, I had my fun.