Have been working all summer and finally end up with 6000 SEK (about 430 GBR or 800 USD) and have decided that I'll put about a tenth of it on new albums (approx. I'll get about six or seven cd for that kind of money, damn its expensive) and was hoping someone would gladly to help me out.

I've been think of some varoius artists that seems intriguing but that i dont know that much about. so i've come with a list here of artists/bands and I want you do suggest the best album, not a good "starter" but the best!

1. Zappa (my only expirence is barbie brown and waka jawaka so im a little confused here)
2. Universe Zero (heard some short samples and good reviews that's all)
3. Art Zoyd (any concrete comment here would be appricated)
4. Amon Dull II (Phallus Dei was good and thus im wondering if they did any progressions on later albums or if this is the best?)
5. Caravan (thinking of "In the land of they grey and pink")
6. After Crying ( here i only care for those with hungarian lyrics, which is best?)
7. Italian Prog (anything "unique" except Banco)
8. bands similar to those mentioned...

Thank you in advance 

Univers Zero: try "Heresie" - IMHO is a masterpiece

Caravan: good choice. I'll recommend you "For the Girls who Grow Plump in the Night", it's also a great album

Italian prog: "Crac!" (Area) and "Per un Amico" (Premiata Forneria Marconi) are both fantastic.

Xanadu wrote: Zappa (my only expirence is barbie brown and waka jawaka so im a little confused here) Universe Zero (heard some short samples and good reviews that's all) Art Zoyd (any concrete comment here would be appricated) Amon Dull II (Phallus Dei was good and thus im wondering if they did any progressions on later albums or if this is the best?) Caravan (thinking of "In the land of they grey and pink") After Crying ( here i only care for those with hungarian lyrics, which is best?) Italian Prog (anything "unique" except Banco) bands similar to those mentioned...

1. Zappa - Hot Rats
2. UV - Heresie
3. Art Zoyd - Phase IV's rather good.
   
4. Amon Duul II - I have Yeti and another one. Boring IMO.
5. Caravan - In The Land of the Grey and Pink is as good as it gets.
6. After Crying - Megalázottak És Megszomorítottak
7. Italian Prog - I second Area even though they're more fusion than Italian symph, but I'd also suggest Museo Rosenbach's Zarathrustra. That's a true classic and will deffo appeal if UV and After Crying are your thing as it's a comparably dark sounding album.
8. Magma, Hatfield and the North, Bubu.
   

"Tanz der Lemminge" is one of the best ever of Amon Düül 2; also check out for "Die Lösung" by the British Amon Düül.

Univers Zero: My favorite is "Ceux Du Dehors", give that one a try.

How about "Aksak Maboul"?

How about -

Henry Cow - Legend

Robert Wyatt - Rock Bottom.

This is what I ended up with (thanks for taking the time to suggest)

 1. CARAVAN - In The Land Of Grey And Pink 

The two first tracks ruins its chance to become a masterpiece IMO, title track especilly the gorgeous piano/keyboard section really reminded me of coldplay although this was way better...last track needs time, I assume, to grow on me. At the moment I would say 3/5

 2. MILES DAVIS - Kind Of Blue (remastered)                                                                     

Jazz improvisations at its best. Although Im not up to the task of describeing it, I would definitely say that this is a must have in every cd collection 4.5/5

 3. AFTER CRYING - Fold Es Eg

Reminded me alot of ELP (Emersons piano that is) athough the music arrengment has a much higher complexity, definitely a keeper 3/5 

 4. JETHRO TULL - Passion Play

Have become a huge fan of Mr.Anderson and his JT lately and already after 10 min I could tell that this is the most experimental output comparing to those I already own (Stand Up, Aqualung, thick as a brick, Living in the past) The fable story is very amusing 3.5/5

 5. TANGERINE DREAM - Force Majeure

Frose proves here that not only is he an excellent keyboardist but also shows that he's a guitarist worth mention. His prescence on Cloudburst Flight is therefore most welcome but way to brief IMHO. Sometimes wonderful is short. 4/5

 6. FRANK ZAPPA - Hot Rats

Have listened to Hot Rats twice when writting this and I feel that I can't possibly tell wether i like it or not...yet. Not Rated                                                           

Unfortunalty I wasn't able to find most of what i wanted because of the limitations at the various records shops I've been at. Better start an account on ebay... 

1. Zappa - Hot Rats, Freak Out, Joe's Garage.
   
2. Univers Zero - Heresie, Ceux Du Dehors.
   
3. Art Zoyd - Le Mariage Du Ciel Et De L'enfer.
   
4. Amon Dull II - Yeti, Tanz der Lemminge
5. Caravan - In The Land Of Grey And Pink
   
6. After Crying - Fold Es Eg
7. Italian Prog - NOTHING, make to your ears a favor.
   
8. bands similar to those mentioned - Fantômas, Present, Melt Banana, Tangerine Dream, Hatfield and the North, Magma, etc...

Zappa: Hot Rats, The Grand Wazoo, Joe's Garage

Get'em in that order!!

Fantômas wrote: My, I forgot Devil Doll! That's a great italian band, the only one, as I can remember.  Edit: Disarmonia Mundi is also great stuff! Ettore Rigotti is a wonderful musician!

that boat must have sailed without you.
see if there's another ticket on the next one.

Fantômas wrote: italprogfan wrote: Fantômas wrote: My, I forgot Devil Doll! That's a great italian band, the only one, as I can remember.  Edit: Disarmonia Mundi is also great stuff! Ettore Rigotti is a wonderful musician!   that boat must have sailed without you. see if there's another ticket on the next one. Aaaaaaaaah, but I want that boat SO MUCH.

try http://www.italianprog.com - www.italianprog.com - an incredible site, run by a truly class individual. check out the top 20. and don't be afraid to ask augusto - he's a very friendly and helpful guy.

Fantômas wrote: Zappa - Hot Rats, Freak Out, Joe's Garage. Univers Zero - Heresie, Ceux Du Dehors. Art Zoyd - Le Mariage Du Ciel Et De L'enfer. Amon Dull II - Yeti, Tanz der Lemminge Caravan - In The Land Of Grey And Pink After Crying - Fold Es Eg Italian Prog - NOTHING, make to your ears a favor. bands similar to those mentioned - Fantômas, Present, Melt Banana, Tangerine Dream, Hatfield and the North, Magma, etc... You should get everything from these bands (with the obvious exception for the horrendous italian prog).

Ignore the advice about Italian prog unless you cannot stand Selling England By The Pound by Genesis, the early PFM albums are VERY similar in sound to this.