VA - Blowing Free, Underground & Progressive Sounds Of 1972 [2022] + Wind of Change, Progressive Sounds of 1973 [2023] + Round & Round, Progressive Sounds of 1974 [2023] and Ring The Bells And Sing, Progressive Sounds Of 1975 [2024] (16 x CDs)

PROGRESSIVE ROCK

VA - Blowing Free, Underground & Progressive Sounds Of 1972 [2022] + Wind of Change, Progressive Sounds of 1973 [2023] + Round & Round, Progressive Sounds of 1974 [2023] and Ring The Bells And Sing, Progressive Sounds Of 1975 [2024] (16 x CDs)

The four box sets - Blowing Free, Underground & Progressive Sounds Of 1972; Round & Round, Progressive Sounds of 1974; Wind of Change, Progressive Sounds of 1973; and Ring The Bells And Sing, Progressive Sounds Of 1975 released by Esoteric Recordings, are an absolute treasure trove for any progressive rock enthusiast. Each set encapsulates the spirit of its respective year, offering a rich tapestry of sounds that defined the era.

Blowing Free takes listeners on a journey through the underground and progressive scenes of 1972, showcasing the raw energy and experimental spirit that characterized the early '70s. The music is a blend of intricate compositions and bold improvisations, reflecting a time when artists were unafraid to push boundaries. This collection has been praised for its authentic representation of the era's underground scene, earning critical acclaim for its curation and sound quality.

Wind of Change captures the essence of 1973, a pivotal year for progressive rock. The music in this set is characterized by its dynamic range and emotional depth, with tracks that seamlessly blend rock, jazz, and classical influences. The result is a collection of songs that are both intellectually stimulating and deeply moving. This set has received high praise for its ability to convey the transformative nature of the genre during this period, with reviewers highlighting its exceptional tracklist and production quality.

Round & Round continues this exploration into 1974, a year marked by a maturation of the progressive rock genre. The tracks in this set are more polished, with complex arrangements and a greater emphasis on melody and harmony. The evolution of the genre is evident, as artists began to refine their sound while still maintaining the adventurous spirit of earlier years. Critics have lauded this set for its cohesive selection and the way it captures the essence of 1974's progressive rock landscape.

Finally, Ring The Bells And Sing brings us to 1975, a year when progressive rock reached new heights of sophistication. The music in this set is marked by its grandiose arrangements and ambitious concepts, showcasing the genre at its most elaborate and theatrical. Each track is a testament to the creativity and technical prowess of the artists, making this set a fitting conclusion to the series. Critics have celebrated this collection for its comprehensive overview of the year's progressive rock scene and its meticulous attention to detail.

Together, these box sets offers insights into the progressive rock movement, capturing its evolution and highlighting its enduring appeal. They are a must-have for any fan of the genre, providing hours of listening pleasure and a deeper appreciation for the artistry of the era. (B)

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Track lists

VA - Blowing Free, Underground & Progressive Sounds Of 1972 [2022]

CD1

01 Emerson Lake & Palmer - Hoedown 3:46

02 Atomic Rooster - Time Take My Life 6:01

03 Edgar Broughton Band - Get Out Of Bed 3:43

04 Barclay James Harvest - Medicine Man 4:28

05 Curved Air - Marie Antoinette 6:21

06 Skin Alley - Serenade 3:44

07 Open Road - Swamp Fever 3:39

08 Lindisfarne - Dont Ask Me 3:31

09 Al Stewart - Songs Out Of Clay 4:16

10 Mellow Candle - Sheep Season 5:02

11 Rare Bird - Epic Forest 9:14

12 Family - My Friend The Sun 4:20

13 Nektar - Do You Believe In Magic (Single Version) 3:52

14 Hawkwind - Seven By Seven (Single Version) 5:23

15 Yes - And You And I 10:05

CD2

01 Wishbone Ash - Time Was 9:46

02 Jade Warrior - A Winters Tale 5:14

03 Caravan - The Love In Your Eye 12:32

04 Hawkwind - Brainstorm 11:33

05 Van Der Graaf Generator - Theme One 2:55

06 Help Yourself - Reaffirmation 12:36

07 Family - Burlesque 4:04

08 Matching Mole - O Caroline 5:07

09 Procol Harum - Conquistor 4:16

10 Bond And Brown - Lost Tribe 3:53

11 Vinegar Joe - Speed Queen Of Ventura 4:14

12 Free - Wishing Well 3:39

CD3

01 Uriah Heep - The Wizard 3:02

02 Renaissance - Prologue 5:40

03 Edgar Broughton Band - Chilly Morning Mama 4:33

04 Help Yourself - American Mother 7:47

05 Pretty Things - Love Is Good 6:52

06 Rare Bird - Turn It All Around 4:44

07 Wishbone Ash - Blowin Free 5:20

08 Man - Bananas 9:27

09 Dave Cousins - Blue Angels 9:51

10 Vinegar Joe - See The World (Through My Eyes) 6:21

11 Jade Warrior - Lady Of The Lake 3:22

12 Khan - Stranded 5:55

13 Thin Lizzy - Whiskey In The Jar 5:44

CD4

01 Dave Cousins - Two Weeks Last Summer 3:07

02 Skin Alley - Nicks Seven 5:01

03 Ten Years After - Choo Choo Mama 4:00

04 Savoy Brown - Hellbound Train 9:12

05 Pretty Things - Peter 1:26

06 Pretty Things - Rip Off Train 3:20

07 Matching Mole - Instant Kitten 5:00

08 Gentle Giant - The Boys In The Band 4:34

09 Sensational Alex Harvey Band - Midnight Moses 4:27

10 Pink Fairies - Walk Dont Run 9:13

11 Jonesy - Ricochet 5:01

12 Bombadil - When The City Sleeps 4:13

13 Nektar - Desolation Valley 8:14

14 Curved Air - Melinda More Or Less 3:26

15 Khan - Hollow Stone 8:18

VA - Wind of Change, Progressive Sounds of 1973 [2023]

CD1

01 Camel - Slow Yourself Down 4:47

02 Kevin Ayers - Decadence 8:06

03 Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Jerusalem 2:46

04 Family - Check Out 4:31

05 Traffic - Evening Blue 5:17

06 PFM - River of Life 6:58

07 Electric Light Orchestra - In Old England Town (Boogie No. 2) 6:52

08 Caravan - Memory Laine Hugh / Headloss 9:15

09 Robert Calvert - Ejection [single] 3:49

10 Man - Back into the Future 4:06

11 Greenslade - Drowning Man 5:50

12 Darryl Way's Wolf - The Void 4:35

13 Badger - Wind of Change 7:14

14 Beggars Opera - Classical Gas 4:33

CD2

01 John Lees - Untitled No. 1 7:53

02 Manfred Mann's Earthband - Father of Day, Father of Night 9:54

03 Jonesy - Song 3:29

04 Edgar Broughton Band - Hurricane Man / Rock n' Roller 6:13

05 Rare Bird - Hard Time 3:06

06 Nektar - Good Day 6:42

07 Budgie - Parents 10:19

08 Hawkwind - Orgone Accumulator 10:01

09 Pink Fairies - Street Urchin 7:04

10 Badger - Wheel of Fortune 7:55

11 John Martyn - Dreams by the Sea 3:18

12 Curved Air - Armin 3:47

CD3

01 Arthur Brown's Kingdom Come - Time Captives 8:25

02 Al Stewart - Terminal Eyes [single] 3:25

03 Caravan - L'Auberge du Sanglier, etc. 10:04

04 Gong - Flying Teapot 11:51

05 Hemlock - Fool's Gold 2:38

06 Curved Air - Metamorphosis 10:39

07 PFM - Photos of Ghosts 5:21

08 Camel - Never Let Go 6:22

09 Procol Harum - Grand Hotel 6:07

10 Pete Sinfield - Still 4:46

11 Yes - Starship Trooper [live] 10:18

CD4

01 Stray - Move it [single] 3:23

02 Spirogyra - The Furthest Point 8:15

03 Arthur Brown's Kingdom Come - Spirit of Joy 3:17

04 Al Stewart - Nostradamus 9:46

05 Anthony Phillips - Silver Song 4:15

06 Help Yourself - It Has to Be 12:19

07 Pete Sinfield - The Night People 7:55

08 Tempest - Upon Tomorrow 6:43

09 Kevin Ayers - Shouting in a Bucket Blues 3:47

10 Greenslade - Bedside Manners Are Extra 6:23

11 Renaissance - Ashes Are Burning 11:28

VA - Round & Round, Progressive Sounds of 1974 [2023]

CD1

01 Camel - Freefall 5:53

02 Barclay James Harvest - Negative Earth 5:32

03 Jethro Tull - Skating Away (On the Thin Ice of a New Day) 3:57

04 Quicksand - Flying 4:23

05 Kevin Ayers - Didn't Feel Lonely 'Til I Thought of You 4:11

06 Darryl Way's Wolf - Black September 4:49

07 Hatfield & the North - Son of There's No Place Like Homerton 10:13

08 Be Bop Deluxe - Jets at Dawn 7:19

09 Jack Bruce - Keep it Down 3:41

10 Keith Christmas - Foothills 4:00

11 Caravan - Virgin on the Ridiculous 6:52

12 Gong - Master Builder 6:19

13 Strawbs - Hero & Heroine (early mix) 3:23

14 Stackridge - God Speed the Plough 5:29

CD2

01 Nektar - Fidgety Queen 4:08

02 Peter Hammill - Tapeworm 4:22

03 Gravy Train - Staircase to the Day 7:31

04 Strawbs - Round & Round (early version) 4:45

05 Budgie - Zoom Club 9:53

06 Steve Swindells - I Can't See Where the Light Switch Is 3:22

07 Greenslade - Joie de Vivre 8:27

08 Stackridge - The Last Plimsoll 4:32

09 Renaissance - Mother Russia 9:20

10 Traffic - Dream Gerard 11:04

11 Jethro Tull - Bungle in the Jungle 3:36

12 Barclay James Harvest - Mockingbird (live) 7:29

CD3

01 Keith Christmas - Brighter Day 6:17

02 Man - Scotch Corner 9:04

03 Man - Exit 1:16

04 PFM - The World Became the World 4:48

05 Gravy Train - Starlight Starbright 4:27

06 Procol Harum - Drunk Again 4:31

07 Refugee - Ritt Mickley 4:55

08 Hatfield & the North - Let's Eat Real Soon 3:16

09 Traffic - Graveyard People 6:06

10 Kayak - Trust in the Machine 6:06

11 Darryl Way's Wolf - The Envoy 6:29

12 Nektar - Early Morning Clown 3:24

13 Neutrons - Living in the World Today 6:12

14 Hawkwind - The Psychedelic Warlords 6:50

15 Be Bop Deluxe - Adventures in a Yorkshire Landscape 3:24

CD4

01 Todd Rundgren's Utopia - Utopia Theme 14:30

02 Renaissance - Black Flame 6:26

03 Caravan - Mirror for the Day 4:30

04 Robin Trower - Bridge of Sighs 5:04

05 Camel - Lady Fantasy 12:44

06 Hawkwind - Paradox 5:28

07 Peter Hammill - Red Shift 8:13

08 Sensational Alex Harvey Band - Anthem 7:44

09 PFM - Just Look Away 4:04

10 Gong - A Sprinkling of Clouds 8:57

VA - Ring The Bells And Sing, Progressive Sounds Of 1975 [2024]

CD1

01 Caravan - The Show of Our Lives 5:46

02 Barclay James Harvest - In My Life 4:42

03 Be Bop Deluxe - Maid in Heaven 2:28

04 Hawkwind - Assault & Battery / the Golden Void 10:08

05 Alan Hull - Squire 5:12

06 Gentle Giant - Just the Same 5:35

07 Stackridge - Rufus T. Firefly 4:49

08 Yes - Soon 4:08

09 Steve Hillage - The Salmon Song 8:28

10 Camel - Rhayader 3:02

11 Camel - Rhayader Goes to Town 5:23

12 Al Stewart - Modern Times 8:26

13 Renaissance - Ocean Gypsy 7:05

CD2

01 Hawkwind - Spiral Galaxy 28948 3:49

02 Steve Hackett - Star of Sirius 7:08

03 Baker Gurvitz Army - Time 4:05

04 Peter Hammill - The Institute of Mental Health Burning 3:34

05 Procol Harum - Pandora's Box 3:36

06 Kestrel - Wind Cloud 4:37

07 Be Bop Deluxe - Music in Dreamland 4:46

08 PFM - Harlequin 7:49

09 Chris Squire - Lucky Seven 6:52

10 Manfred Mann's Earthband - Nightingales & Bombers 4:55

11 Fruupp - Sheba's Song 8:28

12 Steve Hillage - Solar Musick Suite 16:51

CD3

01 Baker Gurvitz Army - People 4:16

02 PFM - From Under 7:29

03 Nektar - It's All Over 5:25

04 Druid - Toward the Sun 5:03

05 Man - 7171 551 11:10

06 Gentle Giant - Free Hand 6:14

07 Stackridge - No One's More Important Than the Earthworm 5:12

08 Greenslade - Doldrums 3:43

09 Global Village Trucking Company - Watch Out, There´s a Mind About 8:09

10 Wigwam - Pig Storm 4:43

11 Sensational Alex Harvey Band - Give My Compliments to the Chef 5:34

12 String Driven Thing - Starving in the Tropics 5:18

13 Clive John - Out of My Tree 5:19

CD4

01 Soft Machine - Hazard Profile Part 1 9:19

02 Hatfield & the North - Didn´t Matter Anyway 3:31

03 Wigwam - Bless Your Lucky Stars 6:02

04 Steve Hackett - Shadow of the Hierophant 11:44

05 Barclay James Harvest - Hymn for the Children 3:41

06 Renaissance - Trip to the Fair 10:51

07 Van Der Graaf Generator - Arrow 9:47

08 Babe Ruth - Dancer 6:05

09 Caravan - The Dabsong Conshirtoe 17:58

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