EARLY RECORDINGS FROM KANSAS 1971-1973

PROTO-KAW can be considered as an early version of KANSAS,featuring Kerry Livgren from the original KANSAS members.The band was short-lived (they existed between 1971 and 1973) and recorded material only in demo version.These tapes were collected by Kerry Livgren in 2002 and published as the first PROTO-KAW release.Their style,though with a quite dated sound,is an absolutely great example of a succesful mix between light symphonic arrangements,psych rock and rhythmic classic rock.Do not expect the boogie rock version of KANSAS here,what you'll get is mostly long tracks with superb flute and mellow passages in the vein of GENESIS,complex and chaotic sax and keyboard parts resembling to VAN DER GRAAF GENERATOR along with rhythmic organ drives,not unlike DEEP PURPLE's Jon Lord,while the heavier guitar parts of Livgren do remind of the normal KANSAS version.PROTO-KAW actually could have made it quite well within the prog circles and not releasing their early material would be a (musical) crime...3.5 stars for me...