Biography: Jud's Gallery is located in Offenburg, a town in the southwest of Germany. The band was founded in 1971 by mastermind/composer Jürgen ‘Judy’ Winter (vocals, bass, acoustic guitar) and Peter Oehler (guitar, piano). They never had a release during their existence in the 70s. As well as some other bands like Coupla Prog for example they joined recording sessions though at the radio station SWF Baden-Baden. The result was forgotten in the archives for a long time and first released by the german Longhair Music label, digitally remastered from the original tape. The first line-up saw the additional musicians Hannes Gremminger (violin, piano), Herbert Brandmeyer (drums) and Elly Lapp (vocals). In July 1972 the five members went to the SWF studio to record the first self composed songs which were realized in one day without any overdubs or other reworking - Heavy Blues Rock and Folk affected by Gremmingers violin playing with time and spirit enough for some improvisations. JUD’S GALLERY afterwards went on tour all over in germany with Golden Earring, Steamhammer, Pretty Things, Beggar’s Opera and Alexis Korner. After a festival gig the band was invited to the SWF radio station once more. The line-up had changed in the meanwhile. With the new members Clem Winterhalter (organ) and Sibi Siebert (drums) they managed to record new songs in march 1974. Now with a more Jazz Rock and Psychedelic orientation including the long track ‘Nordach’. After this positive experiences JUD’S GALLERY connected with Achim Reichel’s label ‘GORILLA MUSIC’ with the intent to produce an album. But this project finally failed because of economical and private reasons. Jürgen Winter and Peter Oehler went different ways after the disbanding but continued making music. The album ‘SWF Sessions Vol.1’ was released in 2000 consisting of 9 songs from both radio session recordings. Winter is also carrying a longtime lawsuit against Gary Moore because he accuses him plagiarism. At the beginning of 2007 the band had a little renaissance with nearly the same line-up as 1974 and surprised with one live performance at the Reithalle in Offenburg. Jud's Gallery - SWF- Sessions Volume 1-1972,1974: http://youtu.be/hHAVcq6jF6w
Biography: Atmosphera, not to be confused with a Brazilian art-rock band with the same name, is an Israeli progressive rock band from the late 70's. They recorded two long, epic pieces for an album with English lyrics (Shakespeare & Lord Tennyson), but the album was too far-out for the small Israeli music industry, so the master tapes were archived and the album was never issued on vinyl. 25 years later, a small collectors' label, MIO records, gathered all the tapes, videos and information on the lost band, and issued the album on CD, with bonus tracks and a videoclip. Atmosphera's style is "mainstream prog" - heavily influenced by Yes's symphonic style. The music is melodic, classical and well-arranged. Their drummer is influenced by Bruford's style, the bassist emulates Squire's sound, the keyboardist uses some of Wakeman's tricks, and even their soloist sounds very much like Jon Anderson. Yes fans will find delight in this highly-capable group of musicians, who offer virtuousic abilites and solid compositional skills. Atmosphera's sole album is essentially a love letter to Yes. Like Druid, Atmosphera produce new compositions following the pattern set by The Yes Album and Fragile, and perform in a manner directly inspired by their heroes. The double album boasts three major highlights: "Lady of Shalott", "Cuckoo - Alternate Version" (new remix with added Mellotron and digital effects), and the avant-garde "Catharsis" by a different, later line-up called ISTOPY. Members: Efrayim Barak - vocals Moti Fonseka - guitars Alon Nadel - bass Yuval Rivlin - keyboards Ami Lipner - drums
Biography: Purple Overdose were founded in Athens, Greece in 1987 by lead guitarist and vocalist Costas Constantinou. The band seeks to recreate the psychedelic atmosphere of the mid 1960's while blending hard rock, jazz, oriental and even some folklore into their music. The lyrics in English written by Constantinou, can be described as poetic and somewhat sentimental, and draw inspiration from the flower power movement of the 1960's. They embrace ideals of nature and freedom of spirit. The band has released 9 albums: 5 studio albums, 3 live albums and a compilation album. The first album Exit 4 was released in 1988 and received critical acclaim. The arrangements on this debut album are slightly simpler than on later albums, incorporating elements of hard rock with psychedelia. The second album, Indigo (1990) marks a move towards more complex compositions. The next album to follow is the same-titled Purple Overdose introducing the flute (Vasilis Kapanikis) and elements of jazz, and a further move towards more progressive compositions. In the same vein is their forth album, Solemn Visions (1996) which experiments in places with a curious mixture of blues and oriental influences. The fifth studio album, Reborn, released in 1999, is arguably the pinnacle of their career. This album features longer spacier compositions, and again a variety of styles, showing the band at full maturity. Of the live releases of particular note is The Salmon's Trip whose title is taken from the track Reborn, a track which describes the life cycle of the salmon fish. There is also a composition album, Painting The Air which consists of tracks from the earlier years, as well as three previously unreleased compositions. Purple Overdose have created the sound reminiscent of the 1960's while managing to produce modern, unique compositions to great effect, experimenting with a wide variety of sounds and styles. They are similar in style to The Smell Of Incense. Flower power lives on! Musicians: Costas Constantinou / Lead guitar, cymbal, effects, vocals Christophoros Triantophilopoulos / Drums, percussion Andreas Andriopoulos / Bass guitar Vasilis Kapanikis / Keyboards, organ, mellotron, flute S.&T. recorders Stavros Eleftheriou / Congas, jug, assorted percussion Other contributors: Stelios Drisis, Aris Christou, Aris Kontoangelos, Tolis Labouris, Mihalis Vasiliou, Giorgios Papageorgiadis, Giorgos Nikas, and Makis Mpellos
