CRESSIDA

Cressida's first album proves that you can have rich symphonic prog textures without long, extended track durations. Part of the Vertigo stable (in fact, it was issued along the debut albums by Black Sabbath and Rod Stewart), it's a charming piece which straddles the prototypical psychedelic-leaning progressive rock sound of the 1960s with the symphonic prog sound which was beginning to creep in following King Crimson's debut album. Angus Cullen's vocals are a particular treat, as are the warm harpsicord, organ and piano textures of Peter Jennings. One of those special albums which on the one hand is quintessential progressive rock but on the other hand offers none of the grandiosity or pomposity of other proggers but retains a clear connection to the psychedelic underground the genre emerged from.