Epsilon 2 Studio Albums (1971 1972) [reissue 1993]

Emergency (1971). Originally released in 1971 on CBS, Emergency's 1st Album (with Udo Lindenberg on drums) is reissued legally for the first time on both formats Vinyl and CD. Often declared as brass-rock this album is a lot more: It shows the group with many influences, it's a meeting of guitar driven progrock by English guitarist Barrie Newby with east-euro jazz-rock influences mixed with Anglo-American styles as instigated by the likes of Chicago Transit Authority (Emergency's 'I'm a man' is 'Gimme some lovin'' by the Spencer Davis Group)…

Wallenstein were a band that transcended a number of musical styles during their decade-plus of existence, from early krautrock to symphonic to space rock toward the end of their existence. Wallenstein's original line-up was centered around keyboardist/vocalist Jürgen Dollase and drummer Harald Großkopf, both of whom would go on to make names even bigger for themselves in the German music business (Dollase with The Cosmic Jokers and Großkopf as a founding member of Ashra and later the Central Europe Performance). The band was originally named Blitzkrieg, but as they readied their first studio release the band discovered a prior band with that name so changed theirs and retained 'Blitzkrieg' as the title of that first album.

The Roland Kovac New Set released several instrumental LPs on the Selected Sound label from Hamburg, the second and third of which, "The master said" (1971) and "Love that" (1972), are good progressive rock with a clear emphasis on jazz. The line-up on "The master said" consisted of top musicians: Master Roland Kovac himself had obtained his doctorate in music as early as 1952 and written numerous classical works and soundtracks. Guitarist Siegfried Schwab had just become famous at that time by working with Et Cetera and other groups and shows his brilliance on this LP with his fuzz guitar. Drummer Charly Antolini ("Knock out") had already been in business for many years and is still first choice on the jazz scene today. The fourth member was Franz Löffler on bass, who had already released several guitar LPs in the 1960s.

A multi-faceted, veteran poet and singer-songwriter whose work defies classification. Founder of the folk group Grup de Folk (1967), “father” of Catalan rock… Pau’s long career has embraced many genres and countless styles, and his interests now focus on recycling and on toy and invented instruments. Now working particularly with third-generation young musicians, Riba was a key figure in the late-20th-century Catalan underground movement. His vast discography features such titles as "Dioptria" (1970), still considered the Number One Catalan pop-rock record, voted best album of the 20th century by the magazine Enderrock. Other outstanding efforts include "Jo, La donya i el Gripau" (1971), recorded in the open air on the island of Formentera, and "Licors" (1977), a brilliant example of a sound collage.

A Space in Time (1971). A Space in Time was Ten Years After's best-selling album. This was due primarily to the strength of "I'd Love to Change the World," the band's only hit single, and one of the most ubiquitous AM and FM radio cuts of the summer of 1971. TYA's first album for Columbia, A Space in Time has more of a pop-oriented feel than any of their previous releases had. The individual cuts are shorter, and Alvin Lee displays a broader instrumental palette than before. In fact, six of the disc's ten songs are built around acoustic guitar riffs. However, there are still a couple of barn-burning jams. The leadoff track, "One of These Days," is a particularly scorching workout, featuring extended harmonica and guitar solos…

Siloah (1970). In 1970 Manuela, Tiny, Thom and Wolfgang were living and playing together in Munich. Under the name of Siloah they released a now highly sought-after LP whose master tapes are lost. In 1993 it was released on CD for the first time (Lost Pipedreams LP 013 CD), but unsufficiently decrackled and without any bonus tracks. Now at last there is a flawless re-issue of it including everything recorded at that time - even the track from the extremely rare "Release" sampler as well as their 7'' "Mit Tiny nach Tanger", of which only one copy was made. But what is most impressive is the 28-page booklet in colour, which leaves nothing to be desired. Siloah’s second album, "Sukram Gurk", recorded with a new line-up in 1972, is soon to follow. Dag Erik Asbjørnsen: "Siloah made two LPs, regarded as among the most frenzied on the German underground scene"…

Open Spaces (1971). Esoteric Recordings are pleased to announce the release of Open Spaces by CMU, the band's debut album from 1971, this unique masterpiece is a much sought after collectors item originally released on the Transatlantic label. CMU (Contemporary Music Unit) were a unique fusion of Progressive rock, Jazz and Folk influences. In keeping with the mood of the times, Open Spaces touches a style that evokes the work of contemporaries Affinity or even Arthur Brown. In Larraine Odell, CMU had one of the few female vocalists of the Progressive era, a fine vocalist supported by a fine band…

The Trip were but one of many Italian bands combining rock, classical, jazz, pop and folk to produce what is now known as the Italian rock renaissance. They are another three man classical rock band in the realm of the Nice and Le Orme. All four of their albums are completely different and bear the stamp of another international group or movement. "Caronte" was considered their best album by psych collectors. On their third, "Atlantide", The Trip looks squarely at Emerson, Lake & Palmer for inspiration. The both are recommended to ELP or Le Orme fans.

Quintessence (1970). Lead by Australian-born violinist and flutist Rothfield (aka Raja Ram), keyboardist Phil Jones (Shiva Shankar) and Shambu Babaji on bass, this North-London group had very strong spiritual Indian classical music influences. Their first two albums, In Blissfull Company and their eponymous second album (they had much success riding on the popular sudden passion provoked by the Beatles) are filled with Indian Sacred Chants and Psalms, but also much more accessible jazz-filled rock tracks full of delightful moments. The 2004 CD reissue on Repertoire adds a live version of "Jesus, Buddha, Moses, Gauranga" (originally released on the first pressing of the 1970 Island compilation Bumpers) as a bonus track…

Spirogyra - St. Radigunds (1971). Esoteric Recordings are pleased to announce the release of a newly remastered edition of the classic album "St. Radigunds” by Spirogyra. Initially formed by duo Martin Cockerham and Mark Francis in Bolton in 1968, the band expanded when Cockerham was a student in Canterbury at the end of 1969. The expanded line-up featured Martin Cockerham (guitar, vocals), Barbara Gaskin (lead vocals), Steve Borrill (bass) and Julian Cusack (violin, keyboards) and secured a contract with B&C Records in 1970. The band’s debut album, "St. Radigunds” was issued in 1971 and featured guest drummer Dave Mattacks and Tony Cox on VCS 3 Synthesiser. "St. Radigunds” is rightly hailed as a classic of the era and this Esoteric Recordings newly remastered edition celebrates this legendary album, featuring a booklet with new essay…