Record Reviews

PETER SINFIELD ~ STILL (EXPANDED EDITION) ESOTERIC / MANTICORE 1003 (Barcode: 5013929380325) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1972 - 1973 Released: 2009 Only album by legendary lyricist / producer Peter SinfieldFind albums by this artist, the man behind the first four landmark King CrimsonFind albums by this artist albums, where he lurked in the shadows as an informal virtual member of the band. His lyrics and production were an integral part of the magic of these milestone Prog recordings. Once Sinfield and King Crimson terminated their cooperation, he turned into a successful producer for other bands and finally found time to record his only album, which in many ways is a continuation of the work done by King Crimson Mk I. Supported by an assemblage of Prog and Jazz stars, Sinfield created another masterpiece, which although initially callously received by fans and critics alike, in retrospect sounds great today and does not lose ground to the King Crimson recordings. The supporting musicians include Greg LakeFind albums by this artist, Mel CollinsFind albums by this artist, John WettonFind albums by this artist, Ian WallaceFind albums by this artist, Keith TippetFind albums by this artist and numerous other illustrious musicians. The material is often atmospheric and introspective, but some heavier moments are also present. The original album was released on the ManticoreFind albums on this label label, owned by Emerson, Lake & PalmerFind albums by this artist, and the new edition adds a plethora of previously unheard alternate tracks and mixes, obviously to the delight of the fans. A must for all Prog-heads!

CD 2 Slipcase Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

PFM ~ THE WORLD BECAME THE WORLD (EXPANDED EDITION) ESOTERIC / MANTICORE 1005 (Barcode: 5013929380523) ~ ITALY ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1973 - 1974 Released: 2010 Italian Prog Giants PFMFind albums by this artist (Premiata Forneria Marconi) was among the very few non-UK European Prog groups to actively pursue international exposure outside of their native country. An incidental meeting between the band and Greg LakeFind albums by this artist led to the signing of PFM to the ManticoreFind albums on this label label owned by Emerson, Lake & PalmerFind albums by this artist, which started to issue English language version of the band´s albums in UK (and US), in parallel to the release of the Italian language versions released in Italy. As a result, several of PFM albums exist in two different versions (and with different titles), creating quite a confusion among record collectors. This album is the second of these "twofold" releases and the band´s 2nd album released in UK. It is almost identical to the band´s 3rd album "L`Isola Di NienteFind albums with this title", re-recorded with English lyrics written by Peter SinfieldFind albums by this artist, who also produced the album. PFM consisted of keyboardist Flavio PremoliFind albums by this artist, guitarist Franco MussidaFind albums by this artist, violinist / flautist Mauro PaganiFind albums by this artist, bassist Patrick DjivasFind albums by this artist and drummer Franz Di CioccioFind albums by this artist. Among them they possessed incredible instrumental powers, compositional ability and vocal delivery and harmony, which was almost unparallel with any other Prog group at the time. Long and complex instrumental passages, performed mostly on keyboards, quiet contemplative moments of gentle flute and deeply melodic and harmonic compositions and arrangements turned their albums into Prog heaven. This expanded edition solves the sound quality issues of the earlier releases and adds a massive amount of bonus material. Essential music for body and soul!

Updated: 16/01/2022Posted:

CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend

PFM ~ PHOTOS OF GHOSTS (EXPANDED EDITION) ESOTERIC / MANTICORE 1006 (Barcode: 5013929380622) ~ ITALY ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1973 Released: 2010 Italian Prog Giants PFMFind albums by this artist (Premiata Forneria Marconi) was among the very few non-UK European Prog groups to actively pursue international exposure outside of their native country. An incidental meeting between the band and Greg LakeFind albums by this artist led to the signing of PFM to the ManticoreFind albums on this label label owned by Emerson, Lake & PalmerFind albums by this artist, which started to issue English language version of the band´s albums in UK (and US), in parallel to the release of the Italian language versions released in Italy. As a result, several of PFM albums exist in two different versions (and with different titles), creating quite a confusion among record collectors. This album is the first of these "twofold" releases and the band´s 1st album released in UK. It is almost identical to the band´s 2nd album "Per Un AmicoFind albums with this title", re-recorded with English lyrics written by Peter SinfieldFind albums by this artist, who also produced the album. PFM consisted of keyboardist Flavio PremoliFind albums by this artist, guitarist Franco MussidaFind albums by this artist, violinist / flautist Mauro PaganiFind albums by this artist, bassist Giorgio PiazzaFind albums by this artist and drummer Franz Di CioccioFind albums by this artist. Among them they possessed incredible instrumental powers, compositional ability and vocal delivery and harmony, which was almost unparallel with any other Prog group at the time. Long and complex instrumental passages, performed mostly on keyboards, quiet contemplative moments of gentle flute and deeply melodic and harmonic compositions and arrangements turned their albums into Prog heaven. This expanded edition solves the sound quality issues of the earlier releases and adds a massive amount of bonus material. Essential music for body and soul!

Updated: 16/01/2022Posted:

CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend

PFM ~ JET LEG (EXPANDED EDITION) ESOTERIC / MANTICORE 1007 (Barcode: 5013929380721) ~ ITALY ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1977 Released: 2010 Italian Prog Giants PFMFind albums by this artist (Premiata Forneria Marconi) was among the very few non-UK European Prog groups to actively pursue international exposure outside of their native country. An incidental meeting between the band and Greg LakeFind albums by this artist led to the signing of PFM to the ManticoreFind albums on this label label owned by Emerson, Lake & PalmerFind albums by this artist, which started to release the band´s albums in UK (and US) and promoted the band worldwide. This was the 5th and last album the band released on the label, which folded soon after. PFM consisted of vocalist Bernardo LanzettiFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Flavio PremoliFind albums by this artist, guitarist Franco MussidaFind albums by this artist, violinist Gregory BlochFind albums by this artist, bassist Patrick DjivasFind albums by this artist and drummer Franz Di CioccioFind albums by this artist. Among them they possessed incredible instrumental powers, compositional ability and vocal delivery and harmony, which was almost unparallel with any other Prog group at the time. Long and complex instrumental passages, performed mostly on keyboards, quiet contemplative moments and deeply melodic and harmonic compositions and arrangements turned their albums into Prog heaven. This expanded edition adds a rare live track as a bonus. Essential music for body and soul!

Updated: 16/01/2022Posted:

CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

PFM ~ CHOCOLATE KINGS (EXPANDED EDITION) ESOTERIC / MANTICORE 1008 (Barcode: 5013929380820) ~ ITALY ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1975 Released: 2010 Italian Prog Giants PFMFind albums by this artist (Premiata Forneria Marconi) was among the very few non-UK European Prog groups to actively pursue international exposure outside of their native country. An incidental meeting between the band and Greg LakeFind albums by this artist led to the signing of PFM to the ManticoreFind albums on this label label owned by Emerson, Lake & PalmerFind albums by this artist, which started to release the band´s albums in UK (and US) and promoted the band worldwide. This was the 4th album the band released on the label. PFM consisted of vocalist Bernardo LanzettiFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Flavio PremoliFind albums by this artist, guitarist Franco MussidaFind albums by this artist, violinist / flautist Mauro PaganiFind albums by this artist, bassist Patrick DjivasFind albums by this artist and drummer Franz Di CioccioFind albums by this artist. Among them they possessed incredible instrumental powers, compositional ability and vocal delivery and harmony, which was almost unparallel with any other Prog group at the time. Long and complex instrumental passages, performed mostly on keyboards, quiet contemplative moments and deeply melodic and harmonic compositions and arrangements turned their albums into Prog heaven. This expanded edition adds a whole CD of previously unreleased live material as a bonus. Essential music for body and soul!

Updated: 16/01/2022Posted:

CD 2 Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

BANCO DEL MUTUO SOCCORSO ~ BANCO ESOTERIC / MANTICORE 1009 (Barcode: 5013929380929) ~ ITALY ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1975 Released: 2010 Italian Prog giants Banco Del Mutuo SoccorsoFind albums by this artist were the second Italian Prog band (after PFMFind albums by this artist) signed by the Emerson, Lake & PalmerFind albums by this artist owned ManticoreFind albums on this label label, to promote the band in UK and US. The band was formed in Rome in 1969 and changed its lineup several times before a stable equilibrium of talent was finally achieved. The founders, brothers Gianni NocenziFind albums by this artist and Vittorio NocenziFind albums by this artist, both keyboards players, were joined by vocalist Francesco Di GiacomoFind albums by this artist, guitarist Rodolfo MalteseFind albums by this artist, bassist Renato D`AngeloFind albums by this artist and drummer Pier Luigi CalderoniFind albums by this artist. Following the release of three masterpiece albums in their native country, this was their UK debut. It contains three new compositions and the rest of the material consists of re-makes of material from their earlier albums with English lyrics, written by Marva Jan MarrowFind albums by this artist, who also wrote English lyrics for PFM albums. This is classic stuff, well known to most serious Prog fans, so there is no need to say much more, except for the fact that this album is often mistakes as a "best of" compilation, which it is not by any standard. The English accent is also often ridiculed by some of the less polite critics, which is true in some respect, but has a charm in itself for me. A classic!

Updated: 17/05/2019Posted:

CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend

BANCO DEL MUTUO SOCCORSO ~ AS IN A LAST SUPPER ESOTERIC / MANTICORE 1010 (Barcode: 5013929381025) ~ ITALY ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1976 Released: 2010 Italian Prog giants Banco Del Mutuo SoccorsoFind albums by this artist were the second Italian Prog band (after PFMFind albums by this artist) signed by the Emerson, Lake & PalmerFind albums by this artist owned ManticoreFind albums on this label label, to promote the band in UK and US. The band was formed in Rome in 1969 and changed its lineup several times before a stable equilibrium of talent was finally achieved. The founders, brothers Gianni NocenziFind albums by this artist and Vittorio NocenziFind albums by this artist, both keyboards players, were joined by vocalist Francesco Di GiacomoFind albums by this artist, guitarist Rodolfo MalteseFind albums by this artist, bassist Renato D`AngeloFind albums by this artist and drummer Pier Luigi CalderoniFind albums by this artist. Following the release of three masterpiece albums in their native country, this was their second (and sadly the last) UK release and it includes violinist Angelo BraduardiFind albums by this artist in the lineup, who was also responsible for the English language version of the lyrics. The album was released simultaneously in Italy (and with lyrics in Italian) under the title "Come In Un`Ultima CenaFind albums with this title" and in UK under this title. This is a concept album with the "Last Supper" as it center theme, which raised a certain level of controversy at the time. This is classic stuff, well known to most serious Prog fans, so there is no need to say much more, except for the fact that this album is often considered as the band´s best work. The English accent, often ridiculed by some of the less polite critics, has a charm in itself for me. A classic!

Updated: 17/05/2019Posted:

CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend

PFM ~ COOK (EXPANDED DELUXE EDITION) ESOTERIC / MANTICORE 1011 (Barcode: 5013929381124) ~ ITALY ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1974 Released: 2010 This live recording by Italian Prog group PFMFind albums by this artist was always considered as the peak of their international career. Recorded during their 1974 North American tour, the original album released at the time included excerpts from their Toronto and NY performances. This magnificent Box Set presents the original album on the first CD in this set and also the complete NY concert, which occupies the two additional CDs included in the set. Of course the music is excellent, as all PFM fans already know, with the group being at their creative peak, playing their hearts out. In retrospect the extended live performances are even more valuable that the respective studio versions of the songs, presenting Prog music played live with plenty of space for improvisation and unlimited imagination. An absolute must to all PFM fans, Italian Prog fans and basically all listeners of good music!

Updated: 26/01/2019Posted:

CD 3 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

	CARL PALMER / PM ~ 1 PM MANTICORE 005 ~ UK ~ Classic Rock The P of ELP here as a leader of his own band PM. Not what one would expect from Palmer, as this album is quite a rocker, with two lead guitarists and a fast paste. Remastered and first time on CD after being unavailable for many years.
	CD 1 Recommend To A Friend