PHANTASMAGORIA

Curved Air's 1972 album "Phantasmagoria" is definetly an interesting album by any standards. It may turn some guys off due to the airy theatrical female lead singer. But my real appreciation for this album comes from the extravagant and over the top, quirky, symphonic jazzy peice called "Over And Above" which is a very unique piece of music which is insanely complex and dramatic and doesn't closely relate to most progressive rock. It's more like listening to some kind of twisted musical showtune on acid. Which blows the doors off compositions by most early 70's progressive rock bands in terms of rich intricate detail and how it builds up into the explosive climax of a complex rhythmic approach, speed, a soaring brass section, circus-like keyboard and bass passages and not to mention the haunting vocal melodies and blazing vibraphones. which all twists and turns for about 8 minutes. It's one of the most interesting songs ever created in the history of popular music which may turn many the other way running due to the level of weirdness, complexity and immense fusion of styles which more closely resembles otherworldly circus jazz music then rock music . It's essential for anyone who is deep into fusion or obscure prog to hear this track "Over And Above" written by virtuoso keyboard player Monkman whose style is a little like Minnear from Giant. So as for the rest of the album I say it's a decent and interesting affair. But one of the weirdest and most complex fusion/prog songs ever lies within this album so thats worth the whole album.