MURPHY BLEND - First Loss - EU Prog Gems Limited Edition - LISTEN - VERY RARE

This splendid album by a forgotten German band, released at the beginning of 1971 by the Kukuck label (known among other things also for records by Out Of Focus and Armaggedon) - in my humble opinion is probably the best title from Germany in the circle of heavy, progressive rock! This imaginative album was characterised by perfectly balanced proportions between catchy guitar riffs and the classical-leaning organ passages dominant here. As a lover of Deep Purple I simply find it hard to tear myself away from this record, although compared with the Brits Murphy Blend sound rather as if their leader, by contrast, was their own Jon Lord, obsessed with the work of the classics (mainly Bach), and the German Blackmore played somewhat more sparingly and somewhat in the background. This record must not be missed! Excellent sound - slightly clearer than on the Ohrwashl edition, and a much nicer booklet containing several rare photos of this splendid band! NOTE! The short sound of a cuckoo clock placed at the end of the record always appeared at the end of each vinyl side of albums on the Kuckuck label and until now had not been included! AN ABSOLUTE MUST! Condition: New, sealed. (JL)