BURNIN' RED IVANHOE

This deserves a 5-star ' essential prog' classification. What you get is a unique sound by unusual combination of wind and electric instruments, simple but precise drum playing and nice harmonic exchanges between players, as well as tight and obviously well-rehearsed riffing (in unison). I think you'll agree that the effect is haunting, and to my ear, the best Burnin' Red Ivanhoe album. Canal Trip is hypnotic, but all the tracks feature great riffs and melodic sax - particularly the soprano sax of Karsten Vogel. Here the band sings English lyrics on all tracks, and I like the slightly odd shift in meaning that seems to have happened in translation, in quite a few of the lines.

I have never been able to listen to the album without seeing very strong images at the same time, mostly in bright-lit primary colours... yellow, blue, green beachscapes for example (and not chemically assisted I promise!)

So buy the album if you can for its towerning soundscapes and hyper-real landscapes.

The band is still active and have a website, which I have so far failed to translate into English.

I have decided that in many years from now, I will have a track from this album played at my funeral; it means that much to me. Incidentally I saw a Jimi Hendrix gig list which shows that BRI once played as support. Was that the most sublime event in prog history? Were you there? If only...