Sinto - Right on Brother (1972 Germany). Interesting multi-national rock-funk group released in the heyday of the Krautrock scene. Pretty straightforward in the composition department, with a few progressive ideas to keep things somewhat hopping. The only instrument that stands out is the heavy use of violin (from Hannes Beckmann, who it appears would be the leader), which is unusual in this setting, and creates a nice contrast to the usual pseudo-hippyisms that abound. The group went on to release 3 more albums, that presumably are more commercial Latin styled efforts, if covers and song titles are any indication. No legit CD exists.

Laurelie - s/t (1970 Belgium). A surprisingly nice discovery for the time and place, and one of the big time Belgian rarities up there with Irish Coffee and Waterloo. Laurelie seem like the next progressive level for a group like the Wallace Connection, for example. English vocals are a bit suspect, but the sophistication and exploration of ideas is considerably more than what is normally found in Continental Europe at such an early date. Wonderful fuzz, old keys and especially flute drive the melodic and tonal contents. 22 minute, multi-part closer has many great ideas. Holds up better than most. Bass player went on to Jenghiz Khan. And, like Sinto, still no legit CD.

Svanfridur - What’s Hidden There? (1972 Iceland). I first ran into this title around 1995 or so via the Repertoire CD issue. At the time, it struck me as bland European rock and I quickly moved it to the trade/sell bin. A fresh listen 13 years later, demonstrated to me at least, there is far more here than what I initially surmised. Like many Scandinavian bands, there’s a strong late psych UK sound prevalent - especially The Beatles’ “Abbey Road” seems to have played a large role in the development of these groups. We recently spoke of Sweden’s Resan, and I would also throw Norway’s Junipher Greene into that mix. Svanfridur isn’t as adventurous as either of those bands were, but they were more evolved than their Icelandic counterparts such as Trúbrot or Odmenn. A nice variety of instruments and compositional styles are presented, again similar to the diversity of The Beatles, for example.