Gosta Berlings Saga – Tid Ar Ljud. 2006. Hey, it seems forever since I last went on about a new Transubstans label band! What? At least a day has passed hasn’t it? And while I’m thrilled about bands like First Band From Outer Space, Drahk Von Trip, Oresund Space Collective and Gargamel, I’m REALLY jacked up about Gosta Berlings Saga. This is one of the most organic Swedish prog albums I’ve heard, well, since Grovjobb burst onto the scene. This isn’t flashy, million notes a second in 13/8 time acrobatics. No, this is for those that remember music was meant to be made to feel good, with a quality melody (that is distinctly Scandinavian, but not to the corny point ala bands on Northside for example). Kebnekaise “II” would be a good barometer. Wonderful fuzz guitar and a not-in-a-hurry approach has me thinking these guys have a major future. I just hope they aren’t going to be *too* obscure.

Yugen - Labirinto D’Acqua. 2006. My initial reaction was: Typical cartoon music for the avant prog dork crowd. But no way Jose, this won me over with its charms. Charms? That’s right, an ostensibly RIO oriented album that also brings in old fashioned 70s symphonic elements like the mellotron. Not that combining the 1970’s Big 3 English prog with complex, unhinged jazz rhythms through a dark punk angst hasn’t been done before. The 5uu’s pioneered this concept, before they too succumbed to the temptation to be a caricature of themselves (a common problem with the over analytical). Just as Israel’s Ahvak suddenly would pull a Progressivo Italiano move, Yugen will surprise with a little Happy the Man. This kind of crossover is just what the movement needs to erase the snob factor and, say yea, melody and atmosphere do matter after all. A knight in shining armor arrives but tells you to go to hell. It’s a start.

Skywhale – The World at Minds End. 1977. One of the rare non-Canterbury UK fusion albums that sound more in line with what was happening over the Channel in places like France, Denmark and Germany. For those that likes chops and melody, with plenty of good time signatures to keep it all interesting from the point the solos begin to drag. Self-released legit CD, though clearly taken from vinyl and maybe not the best masters job. However, way better than any cheap download or burn will provide and a must pickup for anyone who likes bands such as Carpe Diem, Secret Oyster or Munju.