Triumvirat Appreciation Thread

I love this band. 

presdoug wrote: Hrychu wrote: I've a question. How do you find the echo'd "slapback" drum sound on "Illusions..."? Do you like it? It's kinda weird, because it sounds like the drummer is flamming every note. For that type of music it almost works, but IMHO the album would've sounded way better without that echo on the drums. I do like it; I wouldn't want to change anything on Illusions, even if I could.

It's definitely a kind of "slapback " on the snare drum and it's definitely not more commonly used in Prog. A more commonly usage of delay is a slight repeat on an instrument. For example the slight delay on Rick Wright's keyboards creates an ethereal affect which is smooth. On Triumvirat the slapback delay is quick and snappy . It doesn't resonate their music, but gives it a peculiar drive .

It's the exact same effect used by certain Blues guitarists in the studio ...as if they are trying to capture the acoustics of a juke joint in the Southern United States back in the 1930's and 40's . It's not concert hall type of acoustics and it's a million miles away from sounding like an instrument being played in a Cathedral. It's a kind of punch impact to the driving rhythm in Triumvirat's case. Obviously they decided on that sound for a reason. I do understand how it gives the music on Illusions character. It's a strange album and I like it!

I've a question. How do you find the echo'd "slapback" drum sound on "Illusions..."? Do you like it? It's kinda weird, because it sounds like the drummer is flamming every note. For that type of music it almost works, but IMHO the album would've sounded way better without that echo on the drums.

Jacob Schoolcraft wrote: I heard Illusions On A Double Dimple on the radio. It was probably on WMMR or WYSP out of Philadelphia. I ran out and bought the album that week. Then I saw them on IN CONCERT. I brought the album to a friend's house. I said to her.."This is a new band and this is their first album "...She said.."They are not a new band and it is not their first album " Then she pulled out Mediterranean Tales and said.."This is their first album " It was an import album with a flimsy cover..and a sticker on the front which red..."Another Import From Jem" That's how I ended up obtaining a copy of the album..through Jem Records mail order service. From that point onward I collected every Triumvirate album as they were released. Curt Cress played drums on a later release..probably Pompeii...and I was a huge fan of Passport so it was exciting that he was working with Triumvirate.

Thanks for sharing this Triumvirat story. 

A magazine advert for Triumvirat in America from 1975.

Have you noticed Mister 10 Percent ends with a very similar piano motif Illusions on a Double Dimple opens with? That's pretty awesome.

JD wrote: Well let's see if we can keep it moving along then... I first heard T-Rat when i was in a small indie record store on a second level location in London ON. I was browsing when all of a sudden I heard the opening riff from Mediterranean Tales. I immediately stopped browsing and headed right to the counter. I bought the only copy they had, which had just come in that morning. It was an import so I think it cost me $15 or so (it was opened after all). I saw/see the reasons for comparisons but I tend to agree they have their own voice. Far more Classical Jazz then ELP's Classical Rock format. But I love them both. So I haven't read back all the posts here, but has anyone listened to or have any opinions of the Live at Ultrasonic Studios, NY 1974 recording. I understand there's not a lot else in this area.

That is a cool story, as well. When I heard Mediterranean Tales for the first time, my jaw dropped witnessing the band's amazing instrumental prowess so evident on that album. 

JD wrote: I've always felt that the Ultrasonic Studio recording was a little too 'audience' for something that was supposed to be done in a studio setting (of any nature), I was disappointed when I first heard it. I had held out hope that a decent live recording would surface some day. Alas, it was not to be.

The great thing about the Ultrasonics recording is that it really captures the "magic" of Triumvirat live; such a special night it was, as it was the debut concert of the band in North America, and the small size of the place was truly an intimate setting, where everyone present could very well see and hear Triumvirat. If I had to go back in a time machine, I would pick that place and time!

I've always felt that the Ultrasonic Studio recording was a little too 'audience' for something that was supposed to be done in a studio setting (of any nature), I was disappointed when I first heard it. I had held out hope that a decent live recording would surface some day. Alas, it was not to be.


Edited by JD - October 07 2021 at 16:38

I remember seeing Triumvirat's albums in the record stores in the 70's and 80's, but wasn't exposed to the actual music until much later in life.  What finally drew me in was when I walked past a record store in Saarbrucken, Germany - and the window display had vinyl copies of Remember The Future, Magma Live/Hhai, and Mediterranean Tales.  Being a huge fan of the other two albums, I figured it would not be remiss for me to finally buy a Triumvirat album.  So glad I did!  (And that was one of the coolest record stores I ever shopped at!)