Buyers Guide to the Best Music You've Never Heard

Series: 1 Prog Rock

The intent of this guide is to enlighten Music Lovers to music they may have never heard. That is focusing on Bands?Artist who lay outside the commercial Mainstream. As this is Series 1 I plan on adding more music in future series.

Qango -Live in the Hood (2000) A band featuring drummer Carl Palmer and Bassist John Wetton. Keyboards John Young and Guitarist David Kilminister round out this Virtuoustic Lineup. Highlights include Copland's Hoedown and Fan Fare for the Common Man as well as a take on Asia's Soul Survivor. A must for Fan's of ELP, Yes or Asia.

Black Bonzo -Lady of the Light (2004) A modern day band that sounds as if they came straight out of the 1970's. Liberal shades of Uriah Heep as well as hints of Queen, Deep Purple and Argent. If you're a fan of this style rock you gotta pick it up.

Major Healey -Behind the Mask (2003) Another Band that would have fit nicely into the mid 1970's. Bands such as Kansas and Styx comes to mind with doses of Les Zeppelin, Heart and Pink Floyd. A very song oriented album another must have for fans of progressive rock with a commercial edge.

Izz -Ampersand Vol. 1 (2004) This band sounds like every prog band who was anyone and yet sounds like no one at the same time. They call to mind Bands such as: Yes, The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull, King Crimson, The Police, Spock's Beard, and Gentle Giant.

Spock's Beard -The Kindness of Strangers (1997) I picked this Beard dics to highlight as it's probably the most commercially assable. This is true Prog-Pop if there is such a thing. Killer Hooks, Lyrics, Vocals and Harmonies not to mention top notch musicianship. If you've never heard of Spock's Beard you're in for a real treat. They're musical influences range from Yes, Gentle Giant, The Beatles, Pink Floyd, and old Genesis.

Distant Dream -A New Beginning (2005). A Concept Album set in the fantasy land of Basilea and what is pretty much an online collaboration between 22 different musicians. A very fine Prog Find.

Event -Electric Skies (2000). Event plays a form of Prog Rock in the Dream Theater Vein. While not as versatile or technically demanding (at least on this release), they still flash plenty of chops and heavy hitten riffs. A good fine for those who's Prog taste lay toward the Metal side.

Flower Kings -One of the big 3 of modern day Prog rock (along with Spock's Beard and Dream Theater) which really does two things: 1) Makes this not really unknown to most Prog fans 2) By the shear fact they're a Prog band, makes them pretty much unknown to the masses. Lead by guitarist/songwriter/singer Ronnie Stolt theses guys are one of the finest prog bands you'll ever want to hear. Ever. Influences of ELP (Stolt can be Greg Lake like at times), Yes, Gentle Giant, King Crimson, Pink Floyd (Stolt's guitar playing can be Gilmourish at times as well), Beatles, as well as some Jazz Fusion Elements as theses guys like to thrown down and jam as well. If your a prog fan that's never tried the Flower Kings, try it you'll like it.