Czar – s/t (1970 England). Czar’s sole album is one that is usually targeted for the dreaded “overrated” term I so despise. And I can see where some folks may be turned off by this album, especially when compared to the competition of early 70s England. But if one REALLY analyzes it, most of this album was recorded in 1969 (it was released at the beginning of 1970) and should be considered a pioneering work. The most obvious comparison is CothCK King Crimson, and that’s no surprise as we learn that Czar in fact did play with the Crimson King back in those days. Czar were one of the early bands to drench their album in mellotron, and when combined with organ, they were able to present quite a powerful statement. There is some definite holdover from their psych days as a band called Tuesday’s Children, and on some of the poppier tracks, The Moody Blues come to mind. How do I know so much about Czar? Because the album has finally been reissued legit on Sunbeam Records. Features outstanding sound, awesome liner notes from former band members, photos, the whole works. We learn things like the album should have come out on Vertigo, but for reasons still not understood, Philips put them on their Fontana imprint. We also learn that the last track was unfinished and wasn’t meant to be on the album, but rather another long jam session with a classical mid-section was intended (and is included as the only worthy bonus track). And through these bonus tracks, we can hear that Czar was absolutely going in the WRONG direction as a hard blues rock act, which is not surprising given that keyboardist Bob Hodges had packed his gear and left. Overall, proving once again, that bootlegs do more damage to perception than almost anything else. Czar deserves its worthy place in history.

Odin – s/t (1972 Germany-England). Finally a legit reissue of this Vertigo label classic by Odin has surfaced. Years of bootlegs offered bad sound and no history for this German based band with non German names. Long Hair has once again filled the void (and also have released an SWF radio session and a Live album, both of which I haven’t heard yet). Great sound, photos and a short history all go to a great release. I’ve felt for a long time that Odin is one of the finest of the organ based progressive hard rock groups. They are closer in sound to Orange Peel, Eiliff and Eloy circa “Inside” then they are to Nektar, a band they are frequently compared to (I think it’s the UK expatriates in Germany thing). Odin also adds an air of sophistication, as they are clearly indebted to Frank Zappa’s jazz rock offerings. The long bookend tracks here are absolute monsters, but there’s a bid of mediocrity that creeps in the middle, which is the only thing keeping this out of the Hall of Fame. But still a classic 12 – oh my, those organ jams are indeed sublime.