US Symphonic Progressive rock band who often times gets compared to Yes, and for good reason
although I do believe that they have added a good bit of themselves to the mix, and are not the rip off that many feel they are .There are some blistering, unique and amazing passages with fiery guitar work and dual keyboards (Hammond, Moog, piano, Clavinet, Mellotron/Chamberlin, etc.) that really do set them apart from from their obvious influences.
I own their 1976 release Ardour on vinyl ( and CDR ) .Alot of people rip on the lyrical content calling it goofy because the songs revolve around aliens , higher dimensions and Atlantis, but I guess I'm a dork because I like that kind of stuff haha
They also have a sophomore release entitled Open Up that I plan to hunt down ..
The Dutch answer to ELP. Trace was somewhat of a "supergroup" from within thier country led by keyboard wizard Rick van der Linden and a rhythm section of bass and drums. Flamboyant keyboard driven symphonic rock. The s/t debut from 1974 and Birds(1975) is dazzling and glittering, though the final Lp lacks in energy and has deficient material to the first two albums.
National Health consisted with most of the members from Hatfield and the North. One of the last great Canterbury scene infuenced prog/rock bands releasing two albums in '77-'78, following later with a tribute album in 1982. More jazzy than the typical Canterbury sounding artist. The s/t debut featured female vocalist Amanda parsons.
I can remember the first time I heard the term "progressive rock" and I was 11 years old. My youngest brother told me that was his favorite music...of course I had no clue what music that was. I didn't learn what it meant to be "progressive rock" until about 5 years ago. Therefore, I am still in the discovery phase and you guys have listed a TON of prog I have never heard of before.....
Yay good one Sox....even Ive got a UTOPIA album somewhere....a band not mentioned on CRF
Not that obscure..but highly rated were BRAND X featuring Phil Collins
HERE AND NOW were a band often linked with GONG..they have supported them on many occasions...even teamed up with them on recordings...been around for a long time
Deep and dark, heavy prog/blues out of the UK, Steel Mill released one album, The Green-Eyed God in 1972. Some excellent hard hitting riffs combined with sax and flute interplay. Haunting and intricate, it does play on your imagination.
An American progressive rock band founded in the fall of 1973. The band recorded two albums Boris - 1975 and Sacred Baboon -1976, before breaking up in the spring of 1980. Described as a blend of Yes and Gentle Giant. Break-neck tempos, changing time signatures, and diverse instrumentation are hallmarks of their sound.
THIS STUFF ROCKS !
Danish instrumental prog/jazz-fusion band Secret Oyster is similar in vein to the Mahavishnu Orchestra. With Furtive Pearl(1973) the music is high energy and somewhat "raw and acidic". The follow-up Lp, Sea-Sons(1974) is toned down with more complex passages and experimental pyschedelic soundscapes. Subsequent releases follows the same formula.
Flashy, prog/hard rockers Dillinger from Canada are heavy driven keyboards(organ, Moog, mellotron) with sonic guitar interplay and interludes of a jazzy flute and sax. The s/t Lp(1974) only features four songs with the epic Live and Return(I still haven't figured out how to do the split/movie for Youtube uploads). Don't Lie To The Band released in 1976 sees more of a hard rock theme though some of the songs are in the 6-8 minute range thus allowing the musicians to showcase thier talents. The group disbanded and some of the members went onto to form The Hunt with the s/t debut, a fantastic hard rock album with prog. leanings. The next two albums were an utter disappointment.
Kaipa were popular in Sweden during the 70's, but never gained a whole lot of attention outside of Europe, and are only recently recieving some worldwide recognition with the release of their fantastic 2010 album "In The Wake Of Evolution".
This song though is from 1976, and it's a very tasty suite indeed
Re: Obscure Gems From The "Classic" Prog/Rock Era 
). Don't Lie To The Band released in 1976 sees more of a hard rock theme though some of the songs are in the 6-8 minute range thus allowing the musicians to showcase thier talents. The group disbanded and some of the members went onto to form The Hunt with the s/t debut, a fantastic hard rock album with prog. leanings. The next two albums were an utter disappointment.
Linear Mode
