See here and there I can say that the intro of the songs (where they can define these) are very psychedelic. Then the songs become very heavy rock, as linear in the performance. The many drums fill and use of rhythms other than 4 / 4 shall include Oko in Prog field. 'Hoces Li Sa Mnom' presents all these elements and could be a song of Eloy. Unfortunately, the recording is not optimal and that, while he ruined the production, has helped to make the songs even more powerful. Clearly, if that synthesizers are put into the second floor and thus the funky heavy rock 'Sve Sam Ti Dao' loses the minimum sinfonicity making it too similar to a demo version. Things that I like very much! With regard to the Prog trials, in the case of this CD they are all enclosed in 'Theme IV', good funky jazz. At this point it should be said that the CD seems product using the original master, even if 'Baj Baj' seems poured on this CD from an acetate.

Special moment of 'Raskorak' CD are the 5 bonus track! Even outside from Great Britain this is who was kept tapes of radio and TV appearances so that they can reuse a day. Thus 2 songs are from television appearances and 3 by radio session, of course from Slovenian Radio and TV .

In conclusion... 'Raskorak' is certainly not a CD that blasts in the armchair. However 'Raskorak' is a CD that makes us go an hour of pleasure in listening to good music. What is also sufficiently technical, well written and well arranged, as well as designed really well.

In my opinion 'Sea Shanties' is a good Rock album in Prog field. Not every minute of this album speak another language. Expression of the new Heavy Rock, 'Sea Shanties' is an album with a big soul. From the first song ('Futilist's Lament') is clear that 'Sea Shanties' is an innovative album. The particular sound of violin and guitar transform the High Tide music in a kind of Doom Metal, without being heavy as in the case of Black Sabbath, a song like 'Futilist's Lament'. Also the rest of the songs are good, also if too technical and complex. This fact is good but today is also a problem. In fact, the songs are not aged well as should have. This makes a difference if we consider the album for a correct value. I love music that transmits emotions (and in 'Sea Shanties' there are very manyemotions) but listen to songs not aged well is not the maximum, for me. This fact is important but not fundamental in 'Sea Shanties' because High Tide seem to have managed to transform what is a defect typical of the emerging Heavy Prog (and Heavy Rock) and able to turn it into the honor. In this sense I think that a song like 'Nowhere' is a clear example.

In definitive 'Sea Shanties' is a good album. Not a masterpiece. Today 'Sea Shanties' is saved from his sound, based on a twin electric violin and electric guitar. Because for the rest 'Sea Shanties' is a typical album of Heavy Rock in Prog field.

Said this the songs are... Well... The live version of 'Devil's Answer' is more metal than the original because with new arrengements and, for this motive, with new great power. 'Play It Again' is a good song. Nott perfect, with new Wave passages but 100% Rooster. I not love this song. But in general 'Play It Again' is more than good. 'Tomorrow Night' is present in a new version. But at the end, too similar to the original. 'Control you' is a good Heavy Metal song with fuzz guitar, organ and drums... A perfect NWOBHM song! 'Oh She, Oh She's My Woman' is a pure Rock. But great for power and writing. With few arrengements 'Oh She, Oh She's My Woman' is a pure adrenaline song. 'Who's looking For You' is a perfect Post Punk song with great organ from Crane and great power. Not a simple song 'Who's looking For You' is a perfect song for a Rock discoteque because have also a dance flavour! 'Lose Your mind' is a great song. In a word... Masterpiece. 'Lose Your Mind' is a pure downlowd of adrenaline. Great Crane and Du Cann in this 'Lose Your Mind', exceptional Rock with (also) a great drums. Because it is true... Atomic Rooster is one of the fathers of Heavy Metal and prog Metal! 'I Don't need You Anymore' is a pure Street/ Glam Metal song a la Motley Crue/ Twister Sister but not for this fact 'I Don't Need You Anymore' isn't Prog... Because have a great Romantic/ Symphonic/ Neoclassic Crane organ! 'He Did It Again' is a pure post Punk song but with another great organ parts and a pure Heavy Metal guitar solo! 'He Did It Again' is an unfortunately song because at y warning 'He Did It Again' could represent a new way to please the Prog to large masses in the early 80's! 'The Show'... A clear Punk song from a Du Cann Crane penned... A perfect contamination between pure Prog Rock (in Heavy Prog field), Heavy Prog, Punk, New Wave and Heavy Metal... in a sentence: 'The Show' is a pure motorhead song! 'Hold It Through The Night' is another Heavy Metal song but with Prog treatment. In fact the guitar is Heavy, the drums is Metal but the music is a strange Blues Rock that tranform this song in a Prog song. Another contaminated song, also if 'Hold It Through The Night' is a pure Rooster song. 'No Change By Me' close this album. Also 'No Change By Me' is Rock... In my opinion 'No Change By Me' is a pure and perfect Rock song. And, always in my opinion, 'No Change By Me' is also a perfect Rooster example of power and passion!

Is clear that this CD deserve a great attention. First because is an example of an unfortunately period for Crane and Rooster but characterized by an inspiration and a joy to produce music that I have not found in the production of the 70's. That the birth of Heavy Metal and NWOBHM are responsables of this new power for Crane and Du Cann... I do not able to know. But is tangible able to see that this power and joy that are fired in our minds so we are flooded by the joy of pure pleasure to listen and be part of this great party.

So 5 stars are the correct view for 'The Devil's Answer' album. Fans of Rooster and Heavy Prog... And also of Prog Metal... This CD is for You!

Rating: 7,5/10

I bought this promotional compilation because Mike Portnoy is one of my all time preferred drummer. But, I prefer to admit it beyond every possible misunderstanding, The Liquid Tension experiment not pleases me. So this compilation for me have extreme good moment. In the Power Prog Metal/ Classic Metal of "Mad March" (from "Andy West with Rama's "Rama 1") Mike is unique. This isn't a simple performance in a simple song. This is THE drum performing. This is Jazz, Blues, Rock, Heavy Metal... this is pure dreaming performance. Good is also the ballad "Freedom Of Speech" (from "Liquid Tension Experiment") because is a Santana guitar with piano teo driven instrument song. In this song Mike plays a simple partiture. In my opinion another great performing. Good also "Acid Rain" but too cold for me (not Mike!!!). "Endless Enigma" (from "Encores, Legend and Paradox (Tribute to ELP)") is forced song also in original but in this version is too forced. Obviously Mike not helped to not forced this song. Because Mike forced all the song that played. But in positive manner. So "Working Man" and the summarized of "By-Tor And The Snow Dog" (both from "Working Man (Tribute to Rush)" are great. Another great Mike performing in these two Prog (and Heavy Metal) evergreen. But, in general, this promotional vcompilation confirm that Mike is the new Cozy Powell or Carl Palmer.

Is only a promotional compilation. But Mike Portnoy is Mike Portnoy and for me the Mike's drumming is from Hell!!! If you love Mike Portnoy this is a great compilation. If you love the drum... This is a great compilation. In every case Mike Portnoy is the new God of drums!!!

Strange the life: Patrick Campbell-Lyons, after Nirvana, worked as a talent scout for the Vertigo label and when presented Keith Keyes with the tapes of this concept album: 'Three Parts To My Soul (Spiritus ,Manes Et Umbra)' he decided to publish these tapes... But only in 80 copies!

Of course the cncept speaks of the human soul and natur soul in its three aspects. Certainly the concept is really dark, but I find it satanic. Rather it is an esoteric dark concept! In any case, the music is hypnotic, poor, evocative, wild and essential! Harpsichord and voice dominate the melodies so that they become tribal. One point worth noting is that the songs are very melodic and with a very spartan production: are reported together because these aspects are related. In fact, the songs are designed precisely to be proposed in this way. It is clear that Watkins simply copy the rhythmic songs of Bo Didley but very, very slow: the songs are slow, Watson with his bass guitar produces strength and weight for sound because Keyes produces an inconsistent but beautiful sound with harpsichord and piano and sung not so perfect... But perfectly effective. I would say that the proposal of Dr. Z Rock but is not Medieval or Renaissance music but electric!

In my CD version (by Won-Sin) two are the bonus tracks (as in my copy MC). But these two songs are too POP. In every case the two bonus tracks are extremely good.

In conclusion... 'Three Parts To My Soul (Spiritus, Manes Et umbra)' is one of the more esoteric albums of Rock history. And one of the more Dark Prog albums. 'Three Parts To My Soul (Spiritus, Mames Et Umbra)' is also a magical album. And, proper for these facts, 'Three Parts To My Soul (Spiritus, Manes Et Umbra)' is also an album without time!

But I have the impression that anyone who says that 'Very 'eavy...' is the son of Deep Purple's 'In Rock' has not much wrong. I find the two albums conceptually very similar. Unfortunately it is difficult to be able to demonstrate and, again, many are those who would be willing to sell your soul to the devil for to have the absolute reason. True or not true 'Very 'eavy...' is a great piece of borning Heavy Metal!

The songs are all good. 'Gypsy' is the first song of this album. A great Rock cavalcade, with great organ (by Ken Hensley) and voice (by David byron) is, at the end, a great band track... Because all the musicians are great. With Blues Arrangements, 'Gypsy' is an evergreen of 70's music! Similar (but without Blues arrangements) 'Walking In Your Shadows' that is more melodic in sound but horrorific for music. Another great performance of Byron and great guitar by Mick Box. The acoustic balla 'Come Away Melinda' is a dramatic song for Byron's voice. this is a cover and sure is more famous (eh, eh... Is a pure evergreen!) in this version that in original version. In my opinion 'Come Away melinda' (in this version) is the first true Heavy Metal ballad! 'Lucy Blues' is a pure Blues with great pathos... But nothing more. 'Dreammare' present a great intro: first part by Hensley solo, second part by Box... Another great cavalcade... Another spontaneous Rock! (P.s.: Great slide guitar by Ken Hensley and Mick Box rhythm guitar). 'Real Turned On' is another great Rock cavalcade (in this case a Blues Rock cavalcade) with a great rhythm slide guitar by Hensley and great vocal lines by Byron. 'I'll Keeo On Trying' is the song more Prog in 'very 'eavy...' but also the song more Rock and few dramatic in this album. A rhythmic duel by Hensley's organ and Box guitar but dominated by Byron! Great is the Byron/ Hensley melodic interlude! great is the Box's wah wah guitar solo! 'Wake up (Set You Sights)' is the closing track of 'Very 'eavy... Very 'umble' and it is the second Prog track of this album. But... Oh my God... this is a perfect Colosseum track! This is because 'Wake Up (Set Your Sights)' is a perfect Jazz Rock! In my opinion 'Wake Up (set Your Sights) is the song more emotional in Uriah heep discography!

I could say many things on 'Very 'eavy... Very 'umble'. Instead I merely say that if all the albums were aged so... Are all masterpieces. It must be said that the trio Box, Hensley and Byron transforms the spontaneity of 'very 'eavy ... Very 'umble' in a complicated and something really exciting album.

In conclusion: 'very 'eavy... Very 'umble' has aged so well that today sounds like a masterpiece. Unfortunately there is little Prog. But I recommend to all this piece of history!

Ken Hensley finally can shout his organ, David Byron can use your voice as a musical instrument and Mick Box can do the minstrel... And all with a spontaneity... Really spontaneous! Certainly that 'Bird Of Prey' is a pure Power Metal (but in 1971 is correct to speak of Power Metal?) but it sounds more substantial than the songs of 'Very 'eavy... very 'umble'. 'The Park' is a dramatic acoustic ballad for organ and voice... In my opinion Byron and Hensley here create the 'Child In Time' of Uriah Heep! I love Byron's vocal lines in 'The Park', but also the acoustic rhythmic guitar by Mick Box is extreme exciting! More Heavy is 'Time To Live' with another great organ parts and wah wah guitar. 'Time To Live' is the more Heavy Metal song of 'Salisbury' and a another perfect track for David Byron's voice. The acoustic ballad 'Lady In Black' is another dramatic song for atmospheres... And the best song of 'Salisbury' because in this album is the song aged better. Sure 'Lady In Black' is a true hymn of 70's music! (P.s.: I must say again how is great David Byron?). 'High Priestess'... Is a very catchy song, despite the distorted guitars and a Rock Byron really dominate the song. That is one of most successful cavalcade of Heep. Finally 'Salisbury', a composition by Box, Byron and Hensley with bass and woodwind arranged by John Fiddy that present the best organ performed by Hensley. 'Salisbury' is the only Symphonic Prog composition of Heep. If woodwind and brass dominate the composition, it must be said that Hensley and Byron are not less. 'Salisbury', then, is a suite really heavy (even in melodic parts), dramatic but at the same time catchy.

Is 'Salisbury' a perfect album? Of course, 'Salisbury' is a perfect album. Also because it is aged extreme well. Perhaps because spontaneous' Salisbury 'is a magical album. All musicians (and not only them) give the best of themselves. And this feels. But if I have to be sincere, 'Salisbury' is also great because it is aged so well that the songs are so fresh and current that is difficult not to classify 'Salisbury' as a masterpiece.

The ingredients that make JPJ on CD are few but good: ELEMENTARY DRUMS and DISTORTED RHYTHMIC BASS. In a certain sense one of the KING CRIMSON's ingredients. In reality JPJ not forget the LED ZEPPELIN, which are mentioned in the DRUMS ARRANGIAMENT of ZOOMA. In general, however, JPJ tries to follow a reasoning that takes him away from LED ZEPPELIN: PLAYING for the FUN RUN. What is the reasoning behind the KING CRIMSON. But here there is a MELODY, even if VERY ABSTRACT. And, as icing on the cake here BASS'N'DRUMS which is a short interference in the genre of Bass'n'Drums. Then is Present NOSUMI BLUES, a sort of ABSTRACT BLUES! Frankly the KING CRIMSON are TOTALLY ABSTRACT: Here at least THIS IS MELODY.

So, I think that ZOOMA be a GREAT MODERN piece of ART.

GREAT are the DIFFERENCE about THIS and ORIGINAL version. Much differences are in NEW ARRANGEMENT, second because the new RECORDING TECHNIQUES and STAGE TECHNIQUES allow better interaction between band and orchestra. So this new version is not MAGICAL AS THE ORIGINAL. But sure is SUPERIOR to the original version. I RECOMMENDED the POSSESS of BOTH VERSIONS (original version is better in DVD version) but this new version is better.

Ballads and Uriah Heep... Well... great! This compilation is great. I should describe every song but... It is not the case. Instead I must note that the ballads are presented in chronological order. For this reason, Come Away Melinda' opens the dances. And for this motive 'Lady In Black' is the second song. But also 'The Park' is a pure Hard Rock ballad. And I love these three ballads, for power but not only. Please me also: 'The Wizard', 'Rainbow Demon', 'Rain', 'If I Had The Time', 'Wonderworld', 'The Easy Road', 'Why Did You Go?', 'Your Turn To Remember', 'Weep In Silence' and 'Come Back To Me'.

The ballads are usually ground for singers. With Heep, however, I have the feeling that they are inspired to know that they were a band. With the life that they were (9 months on tour, 3 to write, publish and record albums, as Mick Box said) it was logical to change so often line-up. And for this I say that in this case, the ballads are the work of the group. With Heep, often, the ballads were the most dramatic moments of the album (which is very evident in 'Salisbury'). Thus a compilation of ballads like this is really a great tribute to the Heep, more than just a promotional product.

Few compilations such as this are essential. Not recommend to everybody. But having 'Come Away Melinda: The Ballads' is not a bad thing.

http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=20304">

http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=20304 - Greatest Hits (Steel Box Collection) by http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=1969 - DEEP PURPLE (Proto-Prog)

'Steel Box Collection' is a series of budget price 'Greatest Hits' by Sony BMG packaged in a metal package! This, which is on Deep Purple is very interesting. Although it is almost a photocopy of 'Purplexed' is really interesting even if you have 'Purplexed'. 6 songs are classics (evergreens?!?) of Purple and 5 are studio songs but all published at the time on albums by BMG. So we have songs with the classic MK II, with JL Turner and Steve Morse. What else to say in the introduction? Let then to read the CD.

'Smoke On The Water' (live): It is not the best version. Immortal song. Almost forgotten by this interpretation.

'Highway Star' (live): Interesting version. More relaxed than the original... But very well managed.

'Child In Time' (live): See 'Highway Star' comment. I add only that in this case listening is easier because by not truest virtuoso parts 'Child In Time' becomes more honest. Even if it loses much charm.

'The Battle Rages On': Excellent song. Poised between AOR and Hard Rock and very melodic. There is very little Blackmore and too last solo Ian Gillan. But 'The Battle rages On' is a song that can compete with their traditional repertoire.

'Woman From Tokyo' (live): This track not please me. But in this version this track is good.

'Love Conquers All': Ballad with Turner vocals. Too much honey!

'King Of Dreams': Another song with Turner. Certainly the same considerations made for 'The Battle Rages On'. But if we want 'King of Dreams' is the most beautiful and magical than' The Battle rages On '. I am sincere: 'King Of Dreams' is one of my preferred Purple songs!

'The Aviator': Great song with Steve Morse. A perfect song. Hard Rock with AOR treatment. Great live... Great in the original studio version. 'The Aviator' is a gentle and sincere song as few in the history of Purple.

'Anya' (live): mediocre song. It works only with Purle before our eyes.

'Perfect Strangers' (live): Great 80's evergreen. Great song... That I love. But this version is not good. The arrangements of this version kill 'Perfect Strangers'.

'Fortuneteller': With JL Turner. A good AOR song. But great.

Finally 'Greatest Hits (Steel Box Collection)' is not a perfect compilation. It has many ups and downs. However, it is a pleasure to listen. But without much demand.