Osiris - S/T

Osiris - S/T

1981

So I found this little curiosity at the local swap meet. I almost passed it up, mostly because I thought the cover art was kind of ridiculous. Then I looked over the LP and suddenly I became interested. I saw seven long songs with names like Paradox In A Major, Fantasy and Sailor On The Seas Of Fate. Then I saw that this was recorded in Bahrain in the Middle East...so I paid the $1 and was on my way. Upon first listen I was pleasantly surprised! This was some pretty kick ass Bahrainian symphonic prog! I Googled Osiris and I found out that Osiris formed in 1979 and this, their first LP, was released in 1981 but to my ears it sounds more like circa 1975. There's some wonderful songwriting within these grooves, with excellent keyboard (vintage synths, organ, electric piano) and guitar playing. There's also some great ethnic sounding percussion and what sounds like possibly a vibraphone. Unfortunately the vocals are only so-so but they're not too bad, there are a lot of long instrumental parts, so that helps. I've seen this album's sound compared to Genesis and Camel but actually, I really hear a more original sound. It's weird to think that this wonderful symphonic prog album came out of the Middle East! Check it out!

Track List:

1. Fantasy

2. Sailor On The Seas Of Fate

3. Struggle To Survive

4. Atmun

5. Embers Of A Flame

6. A Story Of Love

7. Paradox In A Major

http://rapidshare.com/files/129033781/Osiris.rar.html

Björn J:son Lindh - Sissel

Björn J:son

Lindh - Sissel

Metronome/

CTI DIX 3002

1973

That's right, another $1 swap meet find! Björn J:son Lindh is best known as a flute / keyboard wiz. Now, I've heard a few of his other albums and I have to say that Sissel is by far his best work, IMO. This album was recently posted at Prog Not Frog but that version was missing a track so I decided to rip my LP and post it here. This album is psychedelic, grooved out, funked up, proggy, jazz rock. Actually, that description is really only accurate for two tracks: Storpolska and the title track Sissel, the two longest and best cuts. The other songs are on the lighter, happier side but still good. Oh yeah, I hear some cool string parts on Storpolska that could be Mellotron but I'm not sure since the 'Tron is not listed anywhere on the sleeve. 

Track List:

1. Bull Dog

2. Surto's Pyle'as

3. Storpolska

4. Your Own House

5. Sissel

6. Games People Play

http://rapidshare.com/files/129027642/BJL_Sissel.rar.html

Vangelis - The Dragon

Vangelis - 

The Dragon

OX/3196

1971

Ok, so I'm a HUGE Aphrodite's Child fan, especially their 666 album. I find their sound to be highly original since I really haven't found any other band that sounds like them. As you know, Vangelis was in Aphrodite's Child where he played many instruments but is best known for his keyboard work. He also arranged and composed the entire 666 album! Anyway, the only albums that I've found to sound similar to the 666 album are Vangelis' Earth and, this one here, The Dragon. The Dragon was recorded in 1971 but, as far as I can tell, has never been officially released, only as a bootleg in 1981 on the Oxford/Charly label. I found this LP at the local swap meet for a few bucks! The three, long LP tracks are all instrumental and similar in sound to the more experimental moments on the 666 album. I've also included a bonus track, Chakachak - a previously unreleased Aphrodite's Child song written by Vangelis. Enjoy!

Track List:

1.The Dragon

2. Stuffed Aubergine

3. Stuffed Tomato

bonus:

4. Chakachak (previously unreleased Aphrodite's Child track)

http://rapidshare.com/files/129031100/dragon.rar.html