IT'S ALL UP NOW - ANTHOLOGY

Fruupp was a very interesting and unique sounding UK band but on Prog Archives it's a bit overlooked progrock beauty. First a small history. Irish guitarist, singer and writer Vince McCusker had spent some months in London to find musicians for his musical ideas. Disappointed he returned to Belfast and recruted musicians to play his material: Miles McKee (lead vocals), Stephen Houston (keyboards/oboe), Peter Farrelly (bass/vocals) and Martin Foye (drums). They called themselves Fruupp, the name is derived from an Electroset Page, the band added an U and a P. Fruupp signed a contract with Dawn Records and in '71 they released the debut album titled Future Legends, in '74 followed by the Seven Secrets and The Prince of Heaven's Eyes. The band was making real progress (good sales, succesfull gigs) but Stephen Houston left for religious reasons the band and was replaced by John Mason. In this line-up Fruupp made their last but acclaimed LP Modern Masquerades ('74).

This very comprehensive 2-CD compilation contains the almost complete tracklist of all four albums, only one track from every album has been deleted: Future Legends minus Olde tyme future, Seven Secrets minus Faced With Shekinah, The Prince Of Heaven's Eyes minus Jaunting Car and Modern Masquerades minus Mystery Might. From the very first moment it's obivous that Fruupp has an unique, very distinctive progressive rock sound, a kind of 'eclectic prog': a blend of several styles like classic, blues, rock, folk and symphonic. Because of that variety and use of classical instruments like the oboe and cello, Fruupp their sound is not every proghead's cup of tea and I have to admit that to me not every track on this album sounds as a captivating musical experience. My favorite album is the debut effort entitled Future Legends (with Modern Masquerades as second best), especially compositions like Decision (killer guitar solo), As Day Breaks With Dawn (great vocals and dynamic atmosphere with strong interplay between organ and guitar), Graveyard Epistle (Arabian sounding oboe sound) and Lord Of The Incubus (fiery electric guitar with rock and roll piano). Other strong moments on this 2-CD compilation are Elizabeth (cheerful mid-tempo beat with strong classical overtones by piano and strings), Knowing You / Crystal Brook (sparkling piano and howling electric guitar), The Perfect Wish (lush string- ensemble sound and sensitive electric guitar runs), Masquerading With Dawn (swinging rhythm featuring a great bombastic finale with wonderful keyboards) and the final track Sheba's Song (beautiful interplay between guitar and keyboards and lots of shifting moods).

An unique progrock band that deserves more attention on this site!