'smooth' prog recommendations
Printed From: Progarchives.com
Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Prog Recommendations/Featured albums
Forum Description: Make or seek recommendations and discuss specific prog albums
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=72564
Printed Date: February 21 2025 at 05:59
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: 'smooth' prog recommendations
Posted By: phillihp
Subject: 'smooth' prog recommendations
Date Posted: October 25 2010 at 11:39
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Gurus,
When I look at my humble prog collection, I realize the quantity of 'smooth' albums is rather low and I would even say almost inexistent. I think Marillion 'Marbles' would be the only album I own that would fit in that category. Well not true, Pink Floyd 'Wish You Were Here' might fit in as well.
For me it isn't a huge problem because I prefer music with some energy, although from time to time I like to listen to smooth, laid-back music, especially in the morning or late in the evening. ...And my wife prefers it too
 ... I'm probably not the only one in that case!So, do you have any suggestions that would fit theses characteristics? BTW I prefer contemporary albums, let's say from the 90's and up. If it's from the 70s the sound should be top notch, which is rarely the case (for me).
Thanks in advance!
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Replies:
Posted By: Lozlan
Date Posted: October 25 2010 at 11:56
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Check out Camel's work in the 90's and 2000's. I think A Nod and a Wink is about as laid back as a prog album can be...
------------- Certified Obscure Prog Fart. http://scottjcouturier.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow - The Loose Palace of Exile - My first novel, The Mask of Tamrel, now available on Amazon and Kindle |
Posted By: kenethlevine
Date Posted: October 25 2010 at 12:02
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a group I just added to PA
http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=5985 - Mr Toad
but check out my reviews. I tend to like prog on the mellower side, although certainly not exclusively.
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Posted By: phillihp
Date Posted: October 25 2010 at 12:10
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Thanks for these recommendations!
I'm actually listening to some Nosound samples and I think it fits in the category as well.
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Posted By: chopper
Date Posted: October 25 2010 at 12:44
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This is the one http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=5833 - http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=5833 I also recommend David Sylvian and the last NoMan CD. |
Posted By: kenethlevine
Date Posted: October 25 2010 at 12:46
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oh yes David Sylvian, especially Secrets of the Beehive
what I heard of Popol Vuh would also qualify
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Posted By: lazland
Date Posted: October 25 2010 at 13:04
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Talk Talk was definitely a good recommendation. I am, actually, a little bit confused over what "smooth" actually means, because I most certainly wouldn't place Marbles anywhere near that category. I take smooth to mean ambient. In that case, definitely explore Fripp's solo stuff, Gabriel's classic Passion is a must in terms of world music and ambiance, any number of Anthony Phillips LPs, maybe Barclay James harvest for the lighter side of classic prog, or for newer stuff, try Panic Room's Satellite, which is excellent. ------------- Enhance your life. Get down to www.lazland.org Now also broadcasting on www.progzilla.com Every Saturday, 4.00 p.m. UK time! |
Posted By: kenethlevine
Date Posted: October 25 2010 at 14:06
| I guess I should look into Talk Talk. From their name and what I thought aboyut their time period, I put them in New wave |
Posted By: chopper
Date Posted: October 25 2010 at 14:10
They started off as a synth pop band (I saw them supporting Duran Duran once) but changed completely later in their career. |
kenethlevine wrote:Posted By: lazland
Date Posted: October 25 2010 at 14:15
Yep, a complete turnaround, and I think they became one of the most respected rock acts of recent years. ------------- Enhance your life. Get down to www.lazland.org Now also broadcasting on www.progzilla.com Every Saturday, 4.00 p.m. UK time! |
Posted By: phillihp
Date Posted: October 25 2010 at 14:16
I know, 'smooth' is a vague term but I use it in place of any better term. And I'm opened to any recommendations. As for Marbles I know what you mean, although some of the songs on the album are smooth (I believe) while some others are emotionally intense but never hard or too rocking if you prefer. Hope that clears what I mean!
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Posted By: lazland
Date Posted: October 25 2010 at 14:21
To a certain extent, yes. Marbles, BTW, is my favourite album of all time, and I would actually place it within the symphonic or crossover category on this site, rather than neo prog. They have moved on a lot since the Fish days. I regard it as an absolutely intense album, one that came direct from Hogarth's heart (he was going through a marriage breakup at the time). Anyhow, I think the best recommendation i can make to you is to trawl through the best albums in each of the sub categories on the site. Read the reviews, and you will soon see the albums which contain the emotional tense and tone you are looking for. ------------- Enhance your life. Get down to www.lazland.org Now also broadcasting on www.progzilla.com Every Saturday, 4.00 p.m. UK time! |
Posted By: yanch
Date Posted: October 25 2010 at 15:33
| Big Big Train's The Underfall Yard may be to your liking. |
Posted By: phillihp
Date Posted: October 25 2010 at 15:35
| -sorry double post- |
Posted By: phillihp
Date Posted: October 25 2010 at 15:36
I already got it.
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Posted By: Proletariat
Date Posted: October 25 2010 at 15:39
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The Craine Wife by The Decemberists I dont know how you will recieve it, but its what i listen to when i need to chill out and i find it quite smooth, plus my girlfriend loves it because of how relaxing and romantic it is which is great because its proggy enough for me but chilled out enough for her!!! ------------- who hiccuped endlessly trying to giggle but wound up with a sob |
Posted By: ray
Date Posted: October 25 2010 at 16:18
| Ambrosia's first album is a fairly smooth, sort-of prog-lite. Some proggy stuff, some pop - it's pretty good. It's a mid '70s release, but the sound quality is good. |
Posted By: BrufordFreak
Date Posted: October 25 2010 at 22:40
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Jan Akkerman's Jan Akkerman and Eli (with Kaz Lux) KARDA ESTRA HARMONIUM Definitely NOSOUND and NO-MAN EBERHARD WEBER's The Following Morning ------------- Drew Fisher https://progisaliveandwell.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: aapatsos
Date Posted: October 26 2010 at 13:21
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I second recommendations on Camel and Sylvian You can also try Karnataka's latest album, somewhat folkish, but mainly "smooth" prog with female vocals |
Posted By: The Wrinkler
Date Posted: October 26 2010 at 15:40
| To me, listening to Soft Machine's, Third! |
Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: October 26 2010 at 18:48
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how is your jazz-fusion collection? you're bound to run into plenty of smooth prog in there (and im not at all talking about smooth jazz, which is entirely different, though i like some of it)
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm 
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Posted By: phillihp
Date Posted: October 27 2010 at 07:29
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I've got very few jazz fusion albums and they aren't smooth, Allan Holdsworth for example. On the other side, and although it is really not smooth, Al DiMeola fits in what I'm looking for because of the latin feel. I also really appreciate Alan Morse solo album but some songs are really hard rocking. Any suggestions in that category? BTW thanks for all the other suggestions, I've listen to all of them and I've put many on my wish list!
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Posted By: ray
Date Posted: October 27 2010 at 14:28
| Renaissance - I particularly like their live Carnegie Hall album |
Posted By: phillihp
Date Posted: October 27 2010 at 14:32
Me too! and I got it :)
I've seen them live this summer (first part of Steve Hackett), they haven't lost their touch! |
Posted By: Formentera Lady
Date Posted: October 27 2010 at 16:26
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I do not know if it is smooth but because you mentioned jazz fusion and Al DiMeola you might check out Aziza Mustafa Zadeh - Dance of Fire. (I am considering to propose her to PA, but I am yet too lazy...) |
Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: October 27 2010 at 16:43
Miles Davis - In A Silent Way Return to Forever - Romantic Warrior (it's very prog but the production is slick, and has some good 'smooth' moments; again, not like smooth jazz) Brand X - Livestock (or any of their albums up till and including Do They Hurt?) and then of course, if you WANT to explore smooth jazz, i could recommend a couple of things i like  ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm
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Posted By: Dellinger
Date Posted: October 27 2010 at 21:18
| How about Pink Floyd's Division Bell? Or Gilmour's "On an Island", or Wright's "Broken China" (well, also Wet Dream). I guess lot's of Mike Oldfield would qualify, or even Vangelis. And some of the later Rick Wakeman instrumental albums, like 7 Wonders of the world, or Stella Bianca alla Corte di Re Ferdinand and A Suite of Gods (well, these last 2 aren't instrumental, but they are somewhat smooth). |
Posted By: Icarium
Date Posted: October 28 2010 at 13:16
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two words from me
STEELY DAN
 they are smooth, progy and awesome Aja and Goucho might be of interest (ok more the two words) -------------  
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Posted By: awaken77
Date Posted: November 01 2010 at 06:05
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it's hard to stay smooth but not getting boring :-) later Camel albums are quite relaxing ( Rajaz, A Nod And A Wink ) if you like relaxing instrumental music (not necessary prog) i'd recommend excellent jazz album by Miles Davis - A Kind Of A Blue good melodies, nice soloing, and not boring at all |
Posted By: Thin_Man
Date Posted: November 01 2010 at 12:25
| Well, I can recommend Pat Metheny - Watercolors. |
Posted By: BaldJean
Date Posted: November 01 2010 at 16:49
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I have no idea what "smooth" is supposed to mean. I'll venture something nevertheless: perhaps "Sommerabend" by Novalis -------------  A shot of me as High Priestess of Gaia during our fall festival. Ceterum censeo principiis obsta |
Posted By: The Wrinkler
Date Posted: November 02 2010 at 01:59
| Just got a hold of, Khan Space Shanty, and that's smooth! |
Posted By: himtroy
Date Posted: November 02 2010 at 14:36
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Camel-Snow Goose and Moon Madness. I'm not sure about this "smooth" business, but they're both pretty chill and laid back.
^And Khan-Space Shanty should really just be recommended for everything ever, so I second that. ------------- Which of you to gain me, tell, will risk uncertain pains of hell? I will not forgive you if you will not take the chance. |
Posted By: The Wrinkler
Date Posted: November 06 2010 at 20:17
| The coolest/smoothest prog goes to CAN's, Halleluhwah! |