New member - looking for recommendations!

I don't know why, but I just can't get into much "fusion," despite enjoying jazz, rock, and other music that is blended into this mix. Somehow I feel like the combination can dilute, rather than strengthen. Not sure if others feel this way.

Brand X - I've tried a couple times, but I can't get into them so far. I'm not into the busy drumming, or the kind of jamming/riffing feeling to it (though it's actually tightly composed). I don't know.

Nova - Haha ;) - Yeah, I find their first album to have a bit more interest for me, but mostly I feel a similar way as with Brand X.

The Enid - This definitely deserves a proper listen at some point. I can tell that this has a lot of substance but, like a symphony, isn't something you can really split up into tracks. Would love to get their early works on vinyl. First album seems strong.

The Long Hello - This is nice, but I must admit to wanting Hammil's voice to come in at many points! Haha. I like the edge he brings, though these guys clearly know how to build a mood.

Thanks!

Ah, I didn't mention ELP? Silly oversight. Though honestly I don't love them, but I do like them. Their versions of classical works, like Pictures at an Exhibition, don't really cut it for me (the Mussorgsky-Ravel orchestrated version of the piece is just too good, I think). They just feel like carbon copies. It also annoys me when artists use (let alone sample) other people's works and don't give them prominent credit. For instance, Knife-Edge is a cool song, but the source of the music for it (Janacek's Sinfonietta) is not given its due (and is a much more substantial and interesting work anyway, I think). But all this said, I really like "Lucky Man" and parts of Tarkus and Brain Salad Surgery are very cool.

UK - I think I responded to this suggestion already. I don't love them, but they're fun! Listening to In the Dead of Night right now. :)

Aphrodite's Child - Great suggestion, for sure. I'm only really familiar with The Four Horsemen and It's Five O'Clock (which I really like). Can't argue with Vangelis, and I really like the vocals too. Actually, I just like it in general. Definitely adding them to my library, thanks!

Kansas - Another great suggestion. Listening to the opener on their s/t album is pulling me in. I don't love the drums, but the violin and vocals are doing it for me. Really digging the violin actually. Adding to the library! Oh wow, the title track on Song for America is amazing. I have a feeling this is going to end up having been one of the best recommendations so far (I don't remember having the same reaction to Leftoverture, but I probably just didn't give it enough time yet).

I'm going to post this now before my browser somehow loses all this text, haha. Looking forward to checking out the rest of your list, thanks!

I think they nailed it totally. Not easy to write an epic song about America , in fact nearly impossible but they did it!

Ommadawn is indeed fantastic. Actually I'm with you totally on Tubular Bells and it barely would figure in my Mike Oldfield top ten. Hergest Ridge was a massive step forward although Incantations would be a 'desert island' disc for me. 

Vangelis - I'm a massive fan. You have to bear in mind with him that he has crossed more genres than any other single artist I can think of. He didn't even use synths (the thing he is most famous for perhaps) on his first 6-7 albums. Heaven and Hell was his first (with synths) and scored a hit in the UK and Europe perhaps a bit on the back of Wakeman who was massive at this time (both were on the R&A label). Vangelis moved to Polydor in the late seventies and arguably had his most creative period from China (79) through to Mask (85). He also did the Blade Runner and Antarctica's soundtracks in this time both highly recommendable. After 1985 he moved back to Greece from England and there are several excellent albums my favourites being Direct and Voices. I'm sure you will find something there you like!

I'm on less solid ground with Tull as I am also playing 'catch up' to some extent but I do like Songs From The Wood and Thick As A Brick the most so I think you are on the right lines!

So many suggestions to explore! :)

IQ - Ok, this is very impressive. "The Last Human Gateway" is really great. If I wanted to insult them I would say this is a Genesis knockoff, but honestly this is better than what Genesis became, haha.

Eloy - I do love the keyboards, but I don't really like the drum sound and some other 80's-style aspects of the sound. I tried listening to Ocean as well, to see if their 70's material sidestepped that issue, but I actually found Time to Turn a more interesting album overall. I don't know - they don't seem to do it for me.

Par Lindh Project - Wow, what a mix of impressions (so to speak, haha). I love some of the classical-style parts, like Dresden Lamentation (the intro is incredibly strong) and Green Meadow Lands. But I absolutely couldn't stand the drums or vocals on Iconoclast. The Cathedral didn't do it for me either. But then Gunnlev's Round plays... lovely vocals. But Night on Bare Mountain, I think not a good cover. Still, good stuff there!

Everybody keeps trying to get me to appreciate Hybris, but I don't know... it seems like prog-by-numbers to me. Maybe that's not fair, but I'm not really into it. It has some cool sounds and lines though.

All Traps On Earth - Too dark for me, not my style. It reminds me of parts of King Crimson that I don't really like, which is probably super appealing to other listeners!

Wobbler - I just can't get into this newer stuff. Nope, sorry. It's like... on paper it seems like it should work, but on listening it just turns me off, if that makes sense.

The end of the list was always going to be trickier on my ears, haha, but you gave great suggestions! Thanks!