Progress Records

The quest of the Syn-Phonic label is to find, and release, American prog bands from the 70's which did not make it to a wider audience, but nevertheless deserves our attention. Babylon was formed in 1976 and recorded only one album before disbanding in 1979. This, the CD version, was remixed and mastered by Kevin Gilbert in 1995. Musically they remind about Genesis - especially the Hackett influenced guitars and the dramatic output from lead vocalist Doroccas - but also some unique parts with some pretty wild, complex arrangements building up the well crafted songs.
Really nice! This is a very fine album coming highly recommended to all kinds of progheads who find interest also in the fine bands that existed along with the more well known acts during the 70's. As an ending parenthesis, I think it's a quite interesting to note that Doroccas (anyone who knows what happened to this fine vocalist?), at times, sounds very much like Fish did on the first two Marillion albums, maybe we are all mistaken about where his main influences comes from?
(Review by Hansi Cross)

I want to make you all aware of Blue Shift and their brilliant album "Not The Future I Ordered". Their main influences is without doubt British acts like Yes and Genesis, but they perform their songs in a more typical American way like for instance Spock's Beard, Glass Hammer and Crucible. Maybe not as well produced as those three, but just as good and Blue Shift will definitely attract those who are in to any of those bands just mentioned. Vocalist Stewart Meredith has a voice that really reminds of Jon Anderson. He has exactly the same voice as Nikki Squire (ex-wife of Chris Squire) who once sang in the group Esquire.
(review by Stefan Polzer)