EMBRYO - Jazz Rock/Fusion • Germany

Embryo biography (http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=1087)

EMBRYO (not to be confused with Italian and Swedish death metal bands of the same name) are a musical collective from Munich who, lead by former R&B and jazz organist Christian Burchard, boast the participation of some 400+ musicians since their beginnings in 1970. Over the years, the band went from classic space rock to jazz fusion, then Burchard soon started travelling the world and recording LPs with African bands and Middle Eastern musicians. They are still going strong and their 30 or so albums cover a wide spectrum of styles, but the constant remains a blend of Krautrock, fusion and ethnic music.

Of particular interest to progsters are four of their earlier albums: "Rache" (heavy, JETHRO TULL inspired), "Steig Aus" (for some warmer, jazzy prog), "Father, Son and Holy Ghost" (lots of ethnic influences) and "We Keep On" (a convincing blend of rock, ethnic and jazz). For fans who have already acquired the taste, "Zack Glück" ('80) is pleasantly quirky and more focussed than the rest of their repertoire; "Reise" ('79) is noteworthy for some interesting Indian fusion tracks; and "Opal" ('70), their very first, is considered their psychedelic masterpiece. For some samplers of more recent material, the album "Ni Hau" ('96), featuring music from China and Mongolia, and the double live cd "Istanboul-Casablanca - Tour 98" are particularly recommended.

If you're into Krautrock and are a wee bit curious to see what a jazzy FAUST, AMON DÜÜL II or GURU GURU sounds like, you could start with any of the first four albums mentioned above.

1977 - Apo-Calypso

1977 - Live

Ryo Kawasaki - Jazz Fusion (Japan)

Ryo Kawasaki (born February 25, 1947) is a jazz fusion guitarist and composer from Tokyo, Japan. He is best known as one of the first musicians to develop and popularise the fusion genre and for helping to develop the guitar synthesizer in collaboration with Roland Corporation and Korg. His album Ryo Kawasaki and the Golden Dragon Live was one of the first all digital recordings and he created the Kawasaki Synthesizer for the Commodore 64. During the 1960s, he played with various Japanese jazz groups and also formed his own bands. In the early 1970s, he moved to New York City where he settled and worked with Gil Evans, Elvin Jones, Chico Hamilton, Ted Curson, Joanne Brackeen amongst others. In the mid-1980s, Kawasaki drifted out of performing music in favour of writing music software for computers. He also produced several techno dance singles, formed his own record company called Satellites Records, and later returned to jazz-fusion in 1991.

1976 - Juice

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SCHWARZARBEIT - Progressive Rock (Germany)

SCHWARZARBEIT is an ""old"" German group that has been existing since the Seventies. But the group has considerably matured since the self-titled album recorded in 1979 and ""Traum Oder Wirklichkeit"", the second opus released three years later. The comeback album is now hosted by the Musea label: ""James Gordon's Story"" (1994). The tracks of this album are often instrumental and develop brilliant guitar parts close to Steve HACKETT, especially when there are acoustic sequences. Full of delicacy and sensitivity, compositions alternate energy and melancholy with talent and conviction. Here is an excellent Progressive rock album, well composed and played.

1994 - James Gordon's Story

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Tzahara - Jazz FusionRock (Germany)

A more acoustic and complex offering from that period in the early eighties when the Germans could musically do no wrong, this features the more intellectual side of the artistic zeitgeist versus the smooth radio-friendly side as evidenced by Oktagon.  Very beautiful and ECM-dreamy-like, I marvel that this period had to end... why did it have to end?  Ah yes, now I remember: Nena and her "Neunundneunzig Luftballons"...

Bass – Christian Frank

Drums – Manfred Naumann

Keyboards – Michael Berger

Reeds – Eckhard Petri

Tzarte Töne (1983)

Michael Rother - Krautrock (Germany)

Michael Rother (born 2 September 1950 in Hamburg, Germany) is a German krautrock musician, best known for being a founding member of the band Neu!, and as a short-lived member of the band Kraftwerk. In the late '60s, he played for a group called Spirits of Sound and also Wolfgang Flür. The latter group would later become Kraftwerk; Rother also played with Kraftwerk in 1971. That same year he went on to the band NEU! He recorded three albums with them during his four-year tenure. He also worked with Harmonia (with whom he released two albums) starting in 1973, running concurrently with several of his years in NEU! In 1976, he recorded with Brian Eno. The recording was released in 1997 under the moniker Harmonia 76. 1977 saw the release of Rother's first solo album, entitled, Flammende Herzen. The following year Rother released his second solo album, Sterntaler. He followed that one up in 1979 with Katzenmusik. His next solo release would not be seen until 1982. This time the title was Fernwärme. The following year saw Rother releasing Lust. Süssherz und Tiefenschärfe, his sixth solo album, would be released in 1985. 1987 saw the follow-up to that one, it was entitled Traumreisen. His next solo album was not released until 1996. That one was called Esparanza.

1977 - Flammende Herzen

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Agharta - Jazz Rock (Canada)

AGHARTA was a keyboard oriented fusion band from Quebec led by keyboardist Jacques MIGNAULT. The band released only one album in 1980 on MIGNAULT's private label on which he is helped by jazz musicians like Michael SEGUIN and the sound itself is reminiscent of late WEATHER REPORT.

Agharta (1980)

Drums, Percussion – Normand Cataford

Electric Bass – Normand Trudel

Keyboards – Jacques Mignault

Percussion – Michel Séguin* (tracks: A1 to A3, B2)

Tenor Saxophone, Sopranino Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet – Pierre Veniot

Pretty Maids - Heavy Metal (Denmark)

Pretty Maids are a Danish melodic Heavy Metal band formed in 1981 by Ronnie Atkins and Ken Hammer. Their sound can be described as classic guitar-laden heavy Rock with a strong emphasis on melodic elements like vocals and keyboards. Over the years, Pretty Maids have sold hundreds of thousands of records worldwide supporting such bands as Black Sabbath, Whitesnake, Deep Purple, Alice Cooper, and Saxon along the way. Motherland follows the success and acclaim that blessed the band's last few studio releases and promises to be one of their best ever. Produced by Jacob Hansen (Volbeat).

Motherland - 2013

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Agepê - Samba MPB (Brazil)

Antônio Gilson Porfírio, better known as Agepê (Rio de Janeiro, August 10, 1942 - Rio de Janeiro, August 30, 1995) was a Brazilian singer and songwriter. The artistic name derives from the phonetic pronunciation of the initials of the baptismal name of the singer, "AGP".

Prior to his fame, he worked as a baggage transporter where he was known as Ripinha and was also a technical designer for the extinct Telerj, whom he would abandon to pursue his artistic career. The recording career began in 1975 when he released the compact with the song Moro where nobody lives, his first success, which would later be recorded by Wando. Nine years later, he launched the resounding success Let Me Love You, which was part of Carlos Lombardi's soap opera Vereda Tropical. The Mistura Brasileira album, which contained this song, was the first samba album to exceed the million-selling mark (sold a million and a half copies). The career stood out for a more romantic, sensual and commercial style, in which he made school.

He was a member of the composers' wing of Portela, containing an eclectic repertoire, composed mainly of baião and had in the composer Canário the most frequent partner. In her voice countless compositions of the authorship have been consecrated, such as Girl with long hair, Smell of spring, Take me, Child girl among others. Also re-recorded "Cama e Mesa" by Roberto Carlos and Erasmo Carlos, with great success.

On August 27, 1995, the musician was admitted to the Clínica São Bernardo (RJ) on account of an ulcer aggravated by Diabetes. Entering the next day in a deep coma. He died on August 30, 1995 and was buried in the San Francisco Xavier Cemetery in Caju (RJ). (Source: Agência Estadão Collection)

Moro Onde Não Mora Ninguém - 1975

Agent Steel - Speed Metal (USA)

Agent Steel is an American speed metal band from Los Angeles, California that was formed in 1984 by Vocalist and Author John Cyriis with drummer Chuck Profus. The band released two full-length albums, and one EP before disbanding in 1988. They were most notable for John Cyriis's high-pitched vocals, catchy songs, melodic riffs, and fast tempos mixed in with their unusual (in heavy metal) UFOs, and differential anthropological-theme lyrical prose. The band reformed in 1999 (without Cyriis’ consent) and has released three full-length albums since.

1985 - Skeptics Apocalypse

PAGEANT - Symphonic Prog • Japan

Pageant biography (http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=743)

This is one of the beauties of the Japanese progressive rock. PAGEANT was formed in '81 by guitarplayer Ikkou Nakajima, singer/keyboard player Hiroko Nagai, bass player Nagashima and drummer Hideaki Indou. In '85 they appeared on a Japanese progrock compilation entilted "Progressive Battle" and one year later PAGEANT released their debut-album "La Mosaïque de la Rêverie", a 'classic'. The band was completed by Kazuhiro Miyatake (flute and electric guitar) and Nobuyuki Nagashima (bass) on those records. The second album "Abysmal Masquerade" appeared in '87 and two years followed by the third record entitled "The Pay for a Dreamer's Sin". On this album Hiroko Nagai and Hideaki Indou remained from the original line-up, Kazuhiro Miyatake played flute on two tracks and the band's new guitarplayer became Hiroyuki Maeno.

The first album "La Mosaïque de la Rêverie" is one of the most acclaimed Japanese albums: beautiful 24-carat symphonic rock, very melodic and harmonic with strong hints from GENESIS, CAMEL and RENAISSANCE. The compositions contain twanging guitars, delicate flute, lush keyboards and sensitive electric guitar. The Japanese vocals sound very convincing: powerful and high pitched. The climates changes from dreamy to bombastic with splendid build-ups and exciting 'grand finales'. The second album "Abysmal Masquerade" is in the vein of the first but sound less elaborate and less compelling. It contains two new versions and one live version from the first album. The third album "The Pay for a dreamer' Sin" is more progressive pop like CLANNAD and Kate BUSH than symphonic rock but sounds tasteful with strong, harder-edged guitarplay.

1986 - La Mosaique de la Reverie

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Legendary Bossanova Jazz

Just great stuff!!!

Legendary Bossanova Jazz

Tracklist:

01. Quincy Jones and His Orchestra - Soul Bossa Nova (02:47)

02. Stan Getz - O Grande Amor (04:39)

03. Milt Jackson - Jazz Bossa Nova (03:01)

04. Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 - Wave (02:17)

05. Joe Henderson - Blue Bossa (Remastered) (08:02)

06. Stan Getz. Joao Gilberto - Vivo Sonhando (02:54)

07. Ronnie Laws - Boogie Woogie Bossa Nova (04:30)

08. Astrud Gilberto - She's a Carioca (02:29)

09. Coleman Hawkins - Stumpy Bossa Nova (02:31)

10. Wes Montgomery - Insensatez (How Insensitive) (03:47)

11. Lalo Schifrin - Lalo's Bossa Nova (02:14)

12. Lalo Schifrin. Luiz Bonfa. Oscar Castro-Neves - Bossa Nova Cha Cha (03:21)

13. Ramsey Lewis Trio - Felicidade (Happiness) (03:31)

14. Lou Blackburn - Harlem Bossa Nova (Remastered) (03:30)

15. Toots Thielemans. Ferdinand Povel - Big Bossa (04:03)

16. Hank Mobley - Recado Bossa Nova (08:13)

17. Chick Corea - Bossa (Remastered) (04:45)

18. Kenny Burrell - Hot Bossa (04:41)

19. Roy Hargrove - Book's Bossa (05:59)

20. Stanley Turrentine, Herbie Hancock, Candido Camero - Bossa (Canto G Bossa) (08:03)

NOVELA - Symphonic Prog • Japan

Novela biography (http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=2016)

NOVELA is perhaps one of the most popular and pivotal rock bands in Japan. Between 1980 and 1987 they delivered many albums. The sound on the first records was 'heavy progressive', later NOVELA turned more into a harder-edged rock band. NOVELA featured two known 'progrock legends': keyboard virtuoso Toshio Egawa (later Gerard and Sheherazade) and multi-instrumentalist Terutsugu Hirayama (he founded TERU'S SYMPHONIA). The first four albums contain both short, more heavy up-tempo tracks as long, very symphonic compositions with lush keyboards (many majestic Mellotron waves!). In 1993 Nexus Classics (KICS2511) released the compilation CD entitled "Symphonic World", this album includes all their 'epic' Mellotron drenched songs along a few shorter tracks. Start with "La Songerie", this one contains two wonderful, very long compositions featuring great Mellotron from Toshio Egawa!

1980 - Miwakugeki (La songerie)

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Erin Pellnat - Folk Pop Songs (USA)

Erin Pellnat is a Brooklyn-based musician with a great voice. Erin style is very interesting, and sometimes remembers brazilian Bossa on the 60's (Elis Regina & Nara Leão). It's a folk pop music, with Jazz-Samba-Bossa mixed styles. Really cool.

Do It for Dinero

Neighborhood Boys

Dream in Color

Blue Skies and Happiness

With this being a debut release for the versatile and erudite singer, there is nowhere to go but up, as they say. Consider, if you will, some thoughtful and sophisticated pop that elevates the genre. It takes you, the listener, on a wonderful path that is least travelled and well worth the journey.

(https://geoffwilburmusic.com/2017/03/24/erin-pellnat-dream-in-color/)

Bandcamp:  http://erinpellnat.bandcamp.com/track/do-it-for-dinero

Soundcloud:  https://soundcloud.com/pretentiousmusic/do-it-for-dinero-erin-pellnat-1

You can hear more on Bandcamp:  https://erinpellnat.bandcamp.com/releases

Erin, thanks for sharing your songs with us...