In 2024, Henk Tuijn and Lenne Huisman wrote the book "Verborgen Prog-Parels 1970-1980" (Hidden Prog Pearls 1970-1980) (see review) in the Dutch-language. A book that spotlights largely unknown and long-lost albums—albums the average prog enthusiast may never have heard. A fantastic idea, as this way, often unknown and therefore unloved albums receive extra attention. Of course, the book wasn't complete, as the authors have acknowledged, and I missed several important albums from the 1970s that had a significant impact upon their release. I also mentioned this in my review of this excellent book. A critical note is never a bad thing, and certainly not meant negatively. Henk Tuijn certainly took this on board in a positive way, and my review contributed to the release of a second volume of "Verborgen Prog-Parels 1970-1980" (Hidden Prog Pearls 1970-1980) in 2025. In it, he mentioned my review and provided the impetus for the sequel he wrote. Therefore, I'm naturally delighted that this way, some prog gems are finally getting the attention they might have deserved in the first volume. Thanks a million, Henk! Naturally, the layout of the new book has remained the same as in the first part, which makes it a pleasant read once again. Again published in A4 format and it contains this time around 185 pages of information. Used to be 193 pages in the first part. Again the book is about prog rock bands and the albums that never reached the general public and that have sometimes been overlooked even by experienced prog rock fans such as myself. The author has researched these bands one more and picked out 55 albums which are described in detail. So once again in general progressive rock albums made in the seventies which didn't get the attention of a larger audience unlike the bands from the seventies such as Pink Floyd, Yes, King Crimson, The Moody Blues, Camel, Genesis, Kansas, Styx and Emerson, Lake & Palmer. Again those 55 new lost gems certainly deserved to be in the spotlight. Once again the book offers an interesting journey back in time for both experienced prog rock fans and fans of the famous bands and albums from the 70s who want to broaden their views. This time around Henk does not explain certain genres in progressive rock. Like the Rock Progressivo Italiano (RPI) movement or the Canterbury Scene. That's why this book is less thick than its predecessor. But Henk did not forget to tell why sometimes such excellent albums never reached most lovers of progressive rock and why they never made it to the top or only released one single album. The punk scene destroyed the career of many progressive rock acts in the late seventies. Or record companies did not find those band commercial enough and ended their contract. Henk has faced many setbacks in his life. Recently, in May 2024, he suffered a stroke for the second time in three years, from which he fortunately recovered well and could write this book. But he also struggled to survive, especially during his studies. Just like many of the bands he discusses, he faced setbacks. That's why he subtitled the book Luctor Et Emergo, which means "I struggle and emerge." He also discusses the oil slick that progressive rock bands from Italy, Great Britain, and the United States in the late 1960s and early 1970s caused. The oil slick spreading to the French-speaking countries of France and Canada, as well as to Northern and Southern Europe. Spain and Portugal faced dictatorships in their respective countries and therefore only gained prominence later. This was also the case in Eastern Europe due to Russian influence. Just as in the first book the most important chapter is once again the naming of the bands and albums they released back in the seventies which can be considered as hidden prog pearls. Or better known as lost hidden gems! In the first book I knew 35 of the 55 albums which were defined as lost gems. This time around I knew less. Only 19 from the 55 which are reviewed. This of course means that more great progressive rock albums are made then we usually think. As I told you earlier, most people only know the tip of the iceberg. Underwater there are so many other bands that have hardly been heard of or are completely unknown. Bands that have delivered real gems during their existence but never received the attention they deserved. Probably a third book could have been made with other lost gems. But this will probably not be written. We'll get a little deeper into the new book with albums I know but most of all didn't know before reading this book. And which ones are real lost gems and which are not according to my personal taste. First let me tell you that in my review of the first book I wrote that I missed some certain albums which should been reviewed. A number of real gems were still missing, such as Valley Gardens by Wally from 1975. Babylon by Babylon from 1978, But also Ardour by Ethos from 1976 and Night On Bald Mountain by Fireballet from 1975. And what about the debut album of Symphonic Slam which was released in 1976. Or Clockwork Revenge by Airlord which came out in 1977. I was happy to see that Wally, Ethos and Symphonic Slam were included. Still, I find it a bit strange that the other albums mentioned weren't mentioned. Most of all Babylon and Fireballet made outstanding albums which I still play myself many times. So I asked Henk what was the reason not to include them. He wrote the following: " Well, you'll find some of the bands you mentioned as "missing" in your "previous" review, and some you won't. Your review of the previous book definitely gave me a big boost! But it's definitely not my intention to be comprehensive, that's almost impossible, but rather to cover a broad range of albums I personally like." On the other hand from the bands which were missing from certain countries he managed to included most of them. I mentioned from Germany Satin Whale, Birth Control, Ramses, Sahara and Tibet. Bands that most of the time were labelled as Krautrock. I was happy to see that Satin Whale and Tibet are included. The same goes from bands from France. They should have included albums made by Atoll, Pulsar, Mona Lisa, Sandrose and Carpe Diem. And guess what only Sandrose was missing. And as for Carpe Diem I would have chosen their debut En Regardant Passer Le Temps (1975) instead of Cueille Le Jour (1976).But both albums are strong musical efforts. This also goes for Atoll. Instead of L'Araignée-Mal (1975) I had chosen their successor Tertio (1977). Which is for me the band progressive rock album ever released in France. But don't get me wrong L'Araignée-Mal is also a real lost gem. Also Pulsar's The Strands Of The Future (1976) is for me a far better album as Halloween (1977), which was reviewed by Tuijn. But I guess it is once again all a matter of personal taste. As for the albums which are for me personally not real lost gems, there are fortunately only a few to mention. The first two albums mentioned in the book are from 1969 and are the so called proto-prog albums. Albums which could have been labelled as the start of the genre or have prog influences even though progressive rock was not even invented. They are made by the British bands Steamhammer and Bakerloo, but to me they are not really progressive rock just like the band Spirit from the U.S.A. is not really Furthermore the album Arena released by the also British band Marsupilami in 1971, is not a real lost gem and just contains average music. The same can be said about the Polish band Anawa and the musician which came from this band; Marek Grechuta. They sound too mediocre to me and only a few progressive rock influences on their albums. But the rest of the reviewed albums certainly deserve the title lost gem one way or another. Of course, I had the most fun discovering excellent new albums that I'd never heard before. YouTube was, of course, a great resource for listening. All the albums mentioned in the book can be found there. I will mention my highlights next to the albums which I myself can name lost gems. First some of the albums I already knew myself and can be mentioned as excellent albums next to the 3 albums mentioned earlier which were missed in the first book. Such as the eponymous albums by Mainhorse (1971), Fields (1971) and the earlier mentioned Tibet. But also the German band Novalis and their album Sommerabend (1976). Or the earlier mentioned Mona Lisa with Avant Qu'il Ne Soit Trop Tard (1977). I also always enjoyed very much Madonna Blue (1978) by Illusion (former members of Renaissance). Also should be mentioned the Canadian band Harmonium and their album Si On Avait Besoin D'Une Cinquième Saison (1975), which I discovered after buying first their excellent live album Harmonium En Tournée (1980). Which made me go deeper into this band and also discovered their excellent double album L'heptade (1976). It was also great to see that the Austrian group Eela Graig was mentioned with their album One Niter (1976, see review). A band which I did see live perform in Nijmegen in those days. Finally I'll have to mention Asia Minor with their excellent album Between Flesh Divine (1980). Think about Camel! Let's go to some of the new discoveries. There a lot to mention. The first I stumbled on was the eponymous albums by the Italian band Libra. Just excellent! A bit of PFM and Banco! And what about the German band Epidaurus and their album Earthly Paradise with Camel kind of music. Some people asked me before if I know this album. Strangely enough I never did listen to it until now. Realising what I had been missing since it has been released. Therefore I do find it strange I never did buy it when it came out in 1977. But also albums from Circus, Tantra, Granada, Pollen and Quarteto 1111 got my full attention. Special mentioning goes to the Canadian band Maneige and their excellent album Ni Vent... Ni Nouvelle (1977). A Gentle Giant kind of band which also had an excellent live concert on YouTube. For those who are interested look for "Maneige en spectacle - L'Été Show 1978 (60 min) et Live Montréal 1980 (60 min)". But there is more... The Japanese band Cosmos Factory and their excellent album An Old Castle Of Transylvania released in 1973. Lots of keyboards, Mellotrons included! Or the American outfit Shadowfax and their great album Watercourse Way released in 1976. A bit like my favourite Ethos. Meaning lots of influences from British prog bands. Another band from this country is Earthrise and their eponymous album released in 1978. Also this bad sounds sometimes like Camel and the earlier mentioned Ethos. The Eastern part of Europe has also some excellent lost gems released. From Poland comes the surprise Skaldowie and their album Krywań Krywań from 1972. Lots of keyboards, most of all Hammond organ in a leading role. From Hungary comes Color with their eponymous album released in 1978. Mellotrons are included and sounds a bit like Barclay James Harvest. Or from Czechoslovakian you should listen to Modry Efekt and their in 1979 released album Svet Hledacu. Sometimes sounding like Rush. But also Henk's own country the Netherlands is not forgotten. The final two lost gems are dedicated to Lady Lake and Taurus from his home town Haarlem. The first named band released No Pictures in 1977, containg a Camel kind of music. The second band comes with the album Works (1976 1981). An album with re-recordings of songs they played during their concerts. A band which most of all combines influences of Yes and Genesis from the seventies. Of course more titles are mentioned in this excellent book. But I will not go deeper into them! Like with the first book one thing is again very certain. This new book is also definitely worth reading and highly recommended for people who want to broaden their musical horizons with albums they were not aware of. Just like myself as you could read earlier. So for those people, most of all those who already have the first part, I can only advise to buy this excellent book and listen to all the hidden gems on YouTube. Just as I did with all the albums I didn't know. You will certainly hear new musical discoveries, but also albums that probably won't touch you musically. But that's again part of the deal I guess! While listening to all of the seventies prog on this website you might well discover many new hidden gems just like I did while reading this great book. Of course you need to speak the Dutch language. So thanks again Henk for publishing such an amazing book, even if I had again some comments about the content of the book. It clearly meets a need for more information about the unknown gems in the world of progressive rock. For those who are interested send an email to henktuijn@kpnmail.nl, including your name, address and city. If applicable, your mobile number for WhatsApp payment. The book costs €15 euro's plus €5 euro's for shipping. **** Henri Strik (edited by Tracy van Os van den Abeelen) |
