OK I'm back!

Necronomicon - Tips zum Selbstmord (1972)

I first posted this almost exactly two years ago! Well I finally broke down and bought the CD, this is a fresh rip with complete scans. Anyway this thing is great - complex, powerful and sinister - surely one of the best albums from early 70's Germany.

Bitrate 320 w/scans Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

Popol Vuh - Aguirre, The Wrath Of God (1976)

"Aguirre is an absolute masterpiece in the electronic-space genre and in all kind of meditative, celestial music. None other records in popular music can equalize this classic in term of implication in beauty. The choir played on the Moog we can hear on the title track is incredible. It's definitely transcending music, the ascending music to heaven. With the next tracks we come back to the unique and special psych-folk compositions which represents the mark of the band. Very floating and dreamy." (Philippe Blache, progarchives)

Bitrate 320 w/scans Part 1 Part 2

Stonewall - Stoner (1974)

Amazing stoner rock from this New York City band - little seems to be known about them, one source says the music was recorded in 1971 and 1972, not released until 1976. Whatever, this thing rocks from beginning to end - great songs, only one clocks in at over five minutes, and that's one of the two bonus tracks. All killer no filler as they say. This one needs to be played LOUD!!

Bitrate 320 w/artwork Download

Touch - Touch (1969)

"TOUCH may have possibly been the first American progressive rock band, although there are counterclaims from supporters of equally neglected/forgotten United States Of America and now the hindsighted claims for ZAPPA & The MOTHERS OF INVENTION. However, (unlike USA and ZAPPA) on hearing much of TOUCH’s small catalogue of progressive music one might be forgiven for saying it was influenced by the early British prog bands, but for the facts they were formed in the mid 60’s and released their only complete album 'Touch' in early 1969 in the USA/mid 1969 in the UK. In other words their music, their ideas and their special album, predates CRIMSON’s « In The Court » and the first RENAISSANCE album.

Lead by the former garage pop/rocker Don Gallucci, (inventor of the timeless Louie Louie keyboard riff in 1963 when 15, then with the Kingsmen), he brought together guitarist Joey Newman and vocalist Jeff Hawks into Don & The Goodtimes. With TV appearances, they had a pop hit « I Could Be So Good To You ». But exposed to more ambitious bands, such as JEFFERSON AIRPLANES and the BEATLES expanding the language of rock, and The GOODTIMES themselves increasing in their music maturity, Gallucci and Newman felt compelled to move away from the limitations of 3 minute pop songs. As a result the innovative, seminal and specifically, archetypal prog song, 75, was written in early 1967. Musically and name-wise Don & The Goodtimes metamorphosed into TOUCH, while their fans thought they looked and had gone weird. John Bordorano and Bruce Hauser were added on drums and bass respectively. By late 1967, (to quote the band) "they had freed themselves of musical suppression and had a release of pent up creativity resulted in a flood of new musical ideas, while hallucinogenic experiences and metaphysical philosophy had given those ideas shape". And also during the end of 1967/early 1968 they had recorded their eponymously titled album.

Praise for TOUCH’s music came from many well known rock artists, e.g. Hendrix (who part bank rolled studio costs of the recording), and Mick Jagger. Glowing endorsements as to the influence of TOUCH have been made subsequently by Jon Anderson and Kerry Livgren – see the liner notes of the Renaissance Records reissue on CD. And the album as an import, was played heavily by the DJs in the London underground clubs – where future British prog stars relaxed in the early hours of the morning, after a hard days night gigging." (Dick Heath progarchives)

Bitrate 320 w/artwork Part 1 Part 2

Ultimate Spinach - Behold And See (1968)

Terrific album of late 60's psychedelic rock - weird song structures, off the wall lyrics, use of unusual instruments. Reverb, feedback, drone. Second album by this band from Boston Mass is almost a perfect picture of east coast psychedelia. Very trippy, man!

Bitrate 320 w/ covers Part 1 Part 2

Walrus - Walrus (1970)

Only one album from this British outfit, which made progressive music with touches of jazz and blues. Lots of horns, some flute. Nice version of "Coloured Rain" by Traffic. A real solid effort.

Bitrate 320 w/artwork Download

OK see ya!