Record Reviews

CURVED AIR ~ AIR CONDITIONING (EXPANDED EDITION) ESOTERIC 2616 (Barcode: 5013929471641) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1970 - 1971 Released: 2018 This is a reissue of the debut album by the British Progressive Rock group Curved AirFind albums by this artist, one of the most unique and ambitious representatives of the genre. The band was fronted by the charismatic and idiosyncratic female vocalist Sonja KristinaFind albums by this artist and included two classically trained musicians: violinist Darryl WayFind albums by this artist and keyboardist / guitarist Francis MonkmanFind albums by this artist. Bassist Robert MartinFind albums by this artist and drummer Florian Pilkington-MiksaFind albums by this artist completed the lineup. The album presented ten original songs written or co-written by Way, Monkman and Martin, which offered a unique amalgamation of British Folk, Classical Music, Electronic Music, Rock and Jazz influences, unmatched by any of their contemporaries. This remastered and expanded edition adds one outtake from the original recording sessions and an entire second CD of alternate takes, singles and BBC radio recordings. The somewhat muddy sound quality of the original album was significantly improved on this reissue. When originally released in 1970, the album (and the group) achieved both commercial success and critical acclaim, despite its unconventional sound and complexity, which of course was a sign of the times. Curved Air were one the first British acts to use the violin in their lineup (see also High TideFind albums by this artist and East Of EdenFind albums by this artist) and the first to feature violin to such an extent. Sonja Kristina remains to this very day one of the most distinctive Rock vocalists. She managed to maintain a steady, although less glamorous career over the years, producing a substantial volume of excellent music. She also fronts the reformed edition of Curved Air. Overall this is one of the essential British Classic Rock / Prog albums, which lost absolutely nothing of its strength over time and still sounds fresh and moving today. This reissue is a splendid opportunity for the new generation of music listeners to discover this everlasting classic. Essential piece of music history!

Updated: 18/07/2019Posted: 18/07/2019

CD 2 Digipak Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend

HIGH TIDE ~ SEA SHANTIES ESOTERIC 2204 (Barcode: 5013929730441) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1969 Released: 2010 1st album by British Psychedelic / Prog band High TideFind albums by this artist which consisted of guitarist Tony HillFind albums by this artist (who also composed all the music), violinist Simon HouseFind albums by this artist, bassist Peter PavliFind albums by this artist and drummer Roger HaddenFind albums by this artist. They played an extremely "heavy" and complex material, which is characterized by fierce guitar / violin simultaneous soloing, similar in nature to group improvisation used in Jazz. The album is often considered to be one of the most revolutionary Rock recordings of the 1960s. This expanded edition includes previously unreleased bonus tracks, which are a great rarity.

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend