Arc 1971 ...at This

English foursome Arc emerged from Skip Bifferty [aka Heavy Jelly] in 1970. They were a lesser but very talented blues-based heavy prog outfit comprised of Michael Gallagher's keys, Tom Duffy's bass, the drums of David Montgomery and guitarist John Turnbull. Occasionally compared to Patto though they also remind of Supertramp if that group had been young and hungry, Arc sound not unlike many bands of the era who took from what the Beatles had established but adding a harder, rawer feel mixed with the semi-classical sparks of early Yes, making 'At This' a respectable collector's item. Arc were songwriters at heart and composed surprisingly good material easily overshadowed by the other more well-versed, attention-getting acts. Clearly progressive however, and a fine example of early melodic Prog before things got so involved.

In January of 2008, the Japanese Arcangelo label re-released all the albums by Swedish avant-proggers Samla Mammas Manna/Zamla Mammaz Manna originally issued between 1971 and 1980: 1971's Samla Mammas Manna featuring keyboardist Lars Hollmer, bassist Lars Krantz, drummer Hans Bruniusson, and percussionist Henrik "Bebben" Öberg; 1974's Måltid and 1975's Klossa Knapitatet, both recorded after the departure of Öberg and the addition of guitarist Coste Apetrea to the lineup; 1976's Snorungarnas Symfoni, written by Gregory Fitzpatrick and performed by the Måltid/Klossa Knapitatet lineup with guest appearances by trumpeter Kalle Eriksson and saxophonist Ulf Wallander; and 1978's Schlagerns Mystik/För Äldre Nybegynnare and 1980's Familjesprickor (Family Cracks), both recorded after guitarist Apetrea had been replaced by Eino Haapala…

Every ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND live performance is special and unique. Renowned for their spontaneous improvisation, no two shows are ever the same; each captures a pivotal period in the band’s history and holds a story just waiting to be told.

Comus' first album contains an imaginative if elusive brand of experimental folk-rock, with a tense and sometimes distressed vibe. At times, this straddles the border between folk-rock and the kind of songs you'd expect to be sung at a witches' brew fest, the haunting supernatural atmosphere enhanced by bursts of what sound like a theramin-like violin, hand drums, flute, oboe, ghostly female backup vocals, and detours into almost tribal rhythms.

Folk rock attraction Heron was one of several groups signed to both the Red Bus agency and Dawn label, home of Mungo Jerry and Mike Cooper. Originally released in 1971, Heron's seminal "Twice as Nice & Half the Price" has since sank into almost complete obscurity. Even at the time, the band were virtually unknown and little evidence remains of their history. It's hard to see why they were so overlooked, this is a great British folk album, perfect for a sunday afternoon.

Much less bombastic than the band's earlier releases, In Hearing Of is almost funky at times, with "The Devil's Answer" sounding like a meeting between Memphis soul and British rock…

On this, their second album for A&M, Humble Pie proved that they were not the “minor league Rolling Stones” as people often described them. Led by the soulful Steve Marriot, the Pie was a great band in every sense of the word.