EMERSON LAKE & PALMER

This is not just the must have ELP album, it it the must have prog rock album of all time. The ideas are fresh, the instrumentation appropriate and refreshingly sparse ( not overloaded like in many prog bands (Yes/Genesis/Floyd)). This lets the classical roots of the music shine through without being overbearing, and when given a rock feel the transition is appropriate to the feel of the piece. There are moments on Tarkus and Pictures at an Exhibition which approach this, but this album goes to places other ELP albums dont achive. To sum up - compelling and appropriate.