CMU?

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   I found out about this band from a YouTube video. They are an English prog band and the only info I could find about them is a short biography at planetmellotron.com.
Here it is:
‘’ Cambridge-based CMU (Contemporary Music Unit, apparently) were a sort of folky/bluesy/proggish outfit, like so many at the turn of the '70s, and they managed a couple of albums that are probably as much sought after now for their rarity value as their musical worth. Their debut, Open Spaces (***½) isn't actually bad; in fact, its psych-ish title track is well worth hearing, but overall it really isn't that exciting.
By their 2nd album, Space Cabaret, CMU had moved away from their bluesy roots into a more folk/psych direction, although they could also rock out when the mood took them. There's some really nice moments on the album, but it's no classic, to be honest, and a bit dated for '72. There's a fair bit of Mellotron strings on Archway 272 (presumably referring to the area of North London), but I wouldn't buy it for that alone.’’

They seem like a worthy, if obscure, addition to the site.

Here are a few samples from YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0-5rOWEMCM&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bifem92Wnkg&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJDcs7ymvlI&feature=sub

Edited by Adams Bolero - March 18 2010 at 12:23

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Adams Bolero Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: January 07 2009 Location: Ireland Status: Offline Points: 679	Topic: CMU? Posted: March 18 2010 at 12:20
	I found out about this band from a YouTube video. They are an English prog band and the only info I could find about them is a short biography at planetmellotron.com. Here it is: ‘’ Cambridge-based CMU (Contemporary Music Unit, apparently) were a sort of folky/bluesy/proggish outfit, like so many at the turn of the '70s, and they managed a couple of albums that are probably as much sought after now for their rarity value as their musical worth. Their debut, Open Spaces (*½) isn't actually bad; in fact, its psych-ish title track is well worth hearing, but overall it really isn't that exciting. By their 2nd album, Space Cabaret**, CMU had moved away from their bluesy roots into a more folk/psych direction, although they could also rock out when the mood took them. There's some really nice moments on the album, but it's no classic, to be honest, and a bit dated for '72. There's a fair bit of Mellotron strings on Archway 272 (presumably referring to the area of North London), but I wouldn't buy it for that alone.’’ They seem like a worthy, if obscure, addition to the site. Here are a few samples from YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0-5rOWEMCM&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bifem92Wnkg&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJDcs7ymvlI&feature=sub Edited by Adams Bolero - March 18 2010 at 12:23

GentleGiant Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: January 09 2006 Location: PantagrueLand Status: Offline Points: 445	Posted: March 18 2010 at 12:31
	another place for short descriptions and samples http://www.cherryred.co.uk/esoteric/artists/cmu.php
	BeGiantForADay "This British band is just the cup of tea for aficionados who demand virtuosity,progress and originality in their mix." http://rateyourmusic.com/~GentleG

harmonium.ro Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator / Retired Admin Joined: August 18 2008 Location: Anna Calvi Status: Offline Points: 22989	Posted: March 18 2010 at 12:36
	Will check, thanks.

Raff Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator Joined: July 29 2005 Location: None Status: Offline Points: 24429	Posted: March 18 2010 at 12:38
	They also have an entry on GEPR (scroll down the page to find it): http://www.gepr.net/cefram.html

Logan Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum & Site Admin Group Site Admin Joined: April 05 2006 Location: Vancouver, BC Status: Online Points: 37214	Posted: March 18 2010 at 13:19
	It was discussed several months ago (for reference purposes): http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=63576

Atavachron Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator Joined: September 30 2006 Location: Pearland Status: Offline Points: 65602	Posted: March 18 2010 at 20:10
	I'd recommend anyone interested in adding them to PA acquire one of the two albums, as I did. They are considered to be mildly progressive but remain unconvincing IMO. Are they to be added because of a historical relationship to Prog or Canterbury, or because they did or did not do progressive rock? I'm not saying they should not be added, but that the material should be carefully considered. As well, keep in mind the GEPR does not have the vetting process PA has. Fred Trafton adds artists based on a collective trust in the contributors, of which there are many (including myself). - - From GEPR [if the following quotes are against posting rules, Admin may remove them] : "...The rest of the album consists of folkie music and psychedelia which was already dated sounding when this album came out, so you can imagine how bad it sounds now. Not necessary." -- Mike Ohman "Hence Open Spaces is a kind of petri dish where various musical strains try to develop and promulgate with marginal success. These include undistinguished blues-rock, light pop-jazz, folky psychedelia, orientalia in the chanting cover of Pharaoh Sanders' faux-Asian melody "Japan", and finally a lost-in-space jam where an echo-smeared guitar wanders aimlessly in the labyrinth of somnambulant chorale, drums and viola. The playing and the female vocals are proficient but no more distinctive than the writing. Even period charm is in short supply. The rest of the album, however, disappointedly retreats somewhat to folky or bluesy psychedelia, even though the long "Lightshine" has interesting organ and synthesizer parts during its introductory verses. While clearly superior to Open Spaces, Space Cabaret hasn't held up anywhere as well as some of the other, more advanced albums cooked in the same early-progressive cauldron at the time. See For Miles re-released both" -- Kai Karmanheimo Edited by Atavachron - March 18 2010 at 20:12

harmonium.ro Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator / Retired Admin Joined: August 18 2008 Location: Anna Calvi Status: Offline Points: 22989	Posted: March 22 2010 at 11:35
	After the first listen of Space Cabaret, I'd say this does have PA credentials, at least for Prog-Related. I'll have to think some more for a proper category assignment.

Slartibartfast Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Collaborator Honorary Collaborator / In Memoriam Joined: April 29 2006 Location: Atlantais Status: Offline Points: 29630	Posted: March 22 2010 at 12:53
	Concrete Masonry Unit???
	Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened...

harmonium.ro Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator / Retired Admin Joined: August 18 2008 Location: Anna Calvi Status: Offline Points: 22989	Posted: March 22 2010 at 12:57
	^ You've made the same joke in the other thread, too

Slartibartfast Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Collaborator Honorary Collaborator / In Memoriam Joined: April 29 2006 Location: Atlantais Status: Offline Points: 29630	Posted: March 22 2010 at 13:36
	Dammit, I was getting a little deja vu there. You know with all the thread topic regurgitation, I am entitled to a little repeat of my bad jokes. The really spooky thing is the really spooky thing is that I kind of realize kind of realize that I'm doing but but don't really realize that I am really doing it really doing it. You know what I mean. Know what I mean??? Edited by Slartibartfast - March 22 2010 at 13:40
	Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened...

harmonium.ro Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator / Retired Admin Joined: August 18 2008 Location: Anna Calvi Status: Offline Points: 22989	Posted: March 22 2010 at 14:04
	The double Shred Room has affected the timeframe of PA

harmonium.ro Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator / Retired Admin Joined: August 18 2008 Location: Anna Calvi Status: Offline Points: 22989	Posted: March 22 2010 at 19:01
	My opinion is that this should go to Eclectic first... If unsuccessful, then Crossover. I'll alert the powers to be.

clarke2001 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator Joined: June 14 2006 Location: Croatia Status: Offline Points: 4160	Posted: April 08 2010 at 17:52
	CMU added to Eclectic.
	Percussion, sir!

harmonium.ro Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator / Retired Admin Joined: August 18 2008 Location: Anna Calvi Status: Offline Points: 22989	Posted: April 09 2010 at 03:31
	Yay!

Adams Bolero Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: January 07 2009 Location: Ireland Status: Offline Points: 679	Posted: April 09 2010 at 10:59