Fruupp

One of the hardest-working progressive bands to end up languishing in relative obscurity, Fruupp was begun in 1971 by guitarist Vince McCusker. After a brief musical apprenticeship in London, McCusker returned to Belfast and quickly pulled together a group of largely classically trained musicians; the lineup was unusual in that keyboardist Stephen Houston doubled on the oboe…

Future Legends (1973). Originally released in October 1973 on Pye's Dawn label, Future Legends was the debut release by these Northern Irish Progressive Rock masters. A wonderful exercise in Symphonic and Melodic rock, the album was highly acclaimed upon release launching the band on a live career that saw them share the bill with such luminaries as Genesis (with whom they were often compared). Future Legends is now remastered from the original tapes and includes the track 'On a Clear Day' which only featured on the first 100 copies of the album…

Four CD boxed set that gathers together all four albums released by Irish progressive rock legends Fruupp. Formed in Belfast in 1971, the band featured Pete Farrelly (bass guitar, flute, lead vocals), Vincent McCusker (lead guitar, vocals), Stephen Houston (keyboards, oboe, vocals) and Martin Foye (drums, percussion)…

The prince of heaven's eyes was the final album by the original Fruupp line up, although one more album would be recorded by the band before they disappeared forever…

FRUUPP were one of Ireland's greatest bands and produced a number of great albums in the 70's with "Modern Masquerades" being one of my personal picks of the litter. Musically these guys were highly talented offering some creative song writing and instrumentation…

Seven Secrets is a pensive follow-up that shows the band stretching out into lengthy and varied suites like "Garden Lady." The album's dynamics can be a bit irritating at times – the production too often toys with very soft passages that may cut it in the symphony hall, but get tiresome anywhere else…

A strong debut effort that, despite some searing guitar work by Vince McCusker and a well-placed howl by Peter Farelly in "Decision," remains a strangely low-key work. This may be due to the contemplative nature of Stephen Houston's keyboard and string parts…

This compilation combines Fruup's first and second albums on a single CD. The band offered pretty good value in LP terms, so in order to avoid the need for a second CD, one track from each had to be omitted…

This compilation combines Fruup's third and fourth albums on a single CD. The band offered pretty good value in LP terms, so in order to avoid the need for a second CD, one track from each had to be omitted…

Essential: a masterpiece of progressive rock music
Debut release from the magical band FRUUPP, ‘Future Legends’, is an amazing example of relatively early symphonic prog of the highest order originating from Ireland.