CMU?
Printed From: Progarchives.com
Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Suggest New Bands and Artists
Forum Description: Suggest, create polls, and classify new bands you would like included on Prog Archives
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=65876
Printed Date: February 21 2025 at 11:53
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: CMU?
Posted By: Adams Bolero
Subject: CMU?
Date Posted: March 18 2010 at 12:20
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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=F0-5rOWEMCM&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bifem92Wnkg&feature=related - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bifem92Wnkg&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJDcs7ymvlI&feature=sub - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJDcs7ymvlI&feature=sub
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Replies:
Posted By: GentleGiant
Date Posted: March 18 2010 at 12:31
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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 |
Posted By: harmonium.ro
Date Posted: March 18 2010 at 12:36
| Will check, thanks. |
Posted By: Raff
Date Posted: March 18 2010 at 12:38
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They also have an entry on GEPR (scroll down the page to find it): http://www.gepr.net/cefram.html - http://www.gepr.net/cefram.html |
Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: March 18 2010 at 13:19
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It was discussed several months ago (for reference purposes): http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=63576 - http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=63576 |
Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: March 18 2010 at 20:10
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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 |
Posted By: harmonium.ro
Date 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. |
Posted By: Slartibartfast
Date Posted: March 22 2010 at 12:53
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Concrete Masonry Unit???
------------- Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened... 
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Posted By: harmonium.ro
Date Posted: March 22 2010 at 12:57
^ You've made the same joke in the other thread, too 
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Posted By: Slartibartfast
Date 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???
------------- Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened...
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Posted By: harmonium.ro
Date Posted: March 22 2010 at 14:04
The double Shred Room has affected the timeframe of PA 
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Posted By: harmonium.ro
Date 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. |
Posted By: clarke2001
Date Posted: April 08 2010 at 17:52
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CMU added to Eclectic. ------------- |
Posted By: harmonium.ro
Date Posted: April 09 2010 at 03:31
Yay! 
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Posted By: Adams Bolero
Date Posted: April 09 2010 at 10:59
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