I guess I just dont get it! I dont see how you can take
a base of say Pink Floyd, Yes, Genesis, ELP and
Jethro Tull and say oh' Magma, Soft Machine, etc.
that progressive rock, this is more progressive
psychedelic jazz.
Youre argument seems to stem from the so called
fact that english progressive rock is the measuring
tool and all must be measured from there. Its OK to
go forward down a jazz fusion or symphonic path but
if you lose the vocals and introduce electronics as
the focal point it becomes electronica. I beg to differ!
Though you accept Italian 70s progressive
rock(because it caters to your idea) you omit the
works of other progressive electronic rockers work
that was going on in continental europe. This
affectively gives england the title of progressive rock
know it alls.
I on the other hand see progressive rock after the
experimental psychedelic stage being almost solely
an english entity from birth 1967ish to 1975, then the
shop basically got shut down, although Peter Gabriel
-3, Art of Noise - whose afraid of..., and Yes 90125
slipped through the cracks in the early 80s.
During the mid 70s bands from the US, Greece,
Sweden, Holland, France, Spain, Ireland and even
Japan affected their youth cultures with progressive
rock whatever the instrumentation.
Germany on the other hand after their experimental
stage(1969 -1974) was taking the atmospheres, and
soundscapes from bands like Pink Floyd and
Genesis and evolving these ideas to a new level.
Progressive rock from 1976 to the mid 80s was in
the hands of the Germans and it evolved from its
previous state!!! By denying this and calling it
electronica you affectively capture english
progressive rock as the cornerstone to all new
progressive rock and limit its advancing. Canterbury
style offshoots are OK and any one wishing to
prevert the original style to progressive metal or
avant jazz rock fusion is acceptable. England does
not own the term "progressive rock".
You accept Tangerine Dream as progressive rock
but the great progressive electronic music that
sprouted up around it becomes fringe instead of a
focal point. I find this as a narrow minded imperialist
viewpoint! No you dont have to stretch the
boundaries to include Robert Rich - Gaudi, or Steve
Roach stuff, that is electronica and new age. But as
long as the spirit was alive and discernable it should
be recognized.
Good Day!