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1974 Albums

Osiris > Zao

Artist: ZAO
Label: Disjuncta
Catalog#: 000004
Format: Vinyl
Country: France
Released: 1974
Strawberry Bricks Entry: 
With Christian Vander’s usurpation of Magma, pianist François “Faton” Cahen and saxophonist Yochk’o “Jeff” Seffer split to form Zao. They recruited two topflight players from the Paris jazz scene: drummer Jean-My Truong and bassist Joël Dugrenot, along with Jean-Yves Rigaud on violin. Their debut album, Z=7L, was recorded at Strawberry Studios and saw release on the Vertigo label in France. As one would expect, it furthers the “zeuhl” of Magma, but with a catch: If Magma had Klaus Blasquiz providing unique vocals, Zao parlayed this histrionic approach with Mauricia Platon.

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Phaedra > Tangerine Dream

Artist: Tangerine Dream
Label: Virgin Records America, Inc.
Catalog#: VR 13-108
Format: Vinyl
Country: United States
Released: 1974-03
Strawberry Bricks Entry: 
Tangerine Dream had recorded five albums before signing to Richard Branson's fledgling Virgin Records label in 1973. Upon arriving at The Manor Studio in late 1973, their lineup was the classic, triple-keyboard one, with Edgar Froese and Chris Franke complimented by Peter Baumann. Using their sizable advance, the band purchased a Moog modular synthesizer and set out to record Phaedra.

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Pigworm > Pembroke, Jim

Artist: Jim Pembroke
Label: Love Records (4)
Catalog#: LRLP 103
Format: Vinyl
Country: Finland
Released: 1974

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Pinafore Days > Stackridge

Artist: Stackridge
Label: Sire
Catalog#: SASD-7503
Format: Vinyl
Country: US
Released: 1974

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Please Mind Your Head > String Driven Thing

Artist: String Driven Thing
Label: 20th Century Records
Catalog#: T-470
Format: Vinyl
Country: US
Released: 1974

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Portable Madness > Sensations' Fix

Artist: Sensations' Fix
Label: Polydor
Catalog#: 2448 034
Format: Vinyl
Country: United States
Released: 1974-09
Strawberry Bricks Entry: 
Hailing from Florence, Sensations' Fix was really a front for Franco Falsini; in addition to playing guitar and keyboards, he also wrote and produced most of the band's music in-wait for it-Virginia. Joining him were two Americans: bassist Richard Ursillo, previously with Campo di Marte, and drummer Keith Edwards. Their debut album, Fragments Of Light, was released in 1974 on Polydor, and is certainly the most un-Italian of all the progressive rock to come out of Italy.

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Red > King Crimson

Artist: King Crimson
Label: Atlantic
Catalog#: SD 18110
Format: Vinyl
Country: United States
Released: 1974-10
Strawberry Bricks Entry: 
By the time the reinvigorated King Crimson recorded this third offering, the band was down to Robert Fripp and the rhythm section of Bill Bruford and John Wetton. Though it wasn't known at the time, Red would be their swansong, and an album on which Fripp could proudly wrap up the Crim saga. Oddly though, Fripp invited two former members to the recording, Ian McDonald and Mel Collins; while David Cross's part came from a previously recorded improvisation.

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Red Queen To Gryphon Three > Gryphon

Artist: Gryphon
Label: Bell Records
Catalog#: BELL 1316
Format: Vinyl
Country: United States
Released: 1974-11
Strawberry Bricks Entry: 
Gryphon wasn't initially a rock band, but a folk band, and one playing medieval and Renaissance music at that; their first two albums were acoustic affairs recorded for the Transatlantic label. Richard Harvey and Brian Gulland, both Royal College of Music graduates, formed the band in 1971, and later added guitarist Graeme Taylor and drummer David Oberlé. Bassist Phil Nestor jumped aboard for their second album, Midnight Mushrumps, which featured the lengthy track of the same name.

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Refugee > Refugee

Artist: Refugee
Label: Charisma
Catalog#: FC 6066
Format: Vinyl
Country: US
Released: 1974-03
Strawberry Bricks Entry: 
After the breakup of The Nice in 1970, Brian Davison and Lee Jackson moved on to solo projects. Drummer Davison's jazz-tinged eponymous album Every Which Way was short-lived however; the only release was in 1970. Jackson's Jackson Heights fared folksier, and perhaps, better; he released an excellent debut, King Progress, in 1970 for Charisma, and a further three for Vertigo, with guitarist John McBurnie and keyboardist Brian Chatton (Michael Giles guested on drums).

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Relayer > Yes

Artist: Yes
Label: Atlantic
Catalog#: SD 18122
Format: Vinyl
Country: United States
Released: 1974-11
Strawberry Bricks Entry: 
Following Rick Wakeman's abrupt departure, Yes set out to find a replacement for him. Short-listed was Nick Glennie-Smith (Wally), Jean Roussel (Cat Stevens) and Greek keyboard wizard Vangelis, but the band accepted Swiss-born Patrick Moraz instead. The classically-trained Moraz had been in Mainhorse in the early 70s; and more recently, played in Refugee. The band retired to bassist Chris Squire's home, where he had recently finished building a recording studio. The result, in some ways, was Yes' most un-Yes like recording to date.

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