Nova Solis

Artist: Morgan
Label: Angel Air
Category: Music

Average customer rating:

Format: Import
Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 1

UPC: 766486202528
EAN: 0766486202528
ASIN: B00004U8SH

Release Date: 2000-12-19

Nova Solis

Related Categories:

General

| Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock

| Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Rock

| Imports | Stores | Music

Tracks:

Samarkhand The Golden
Alone
War Games
Nova Solis (A Suite)

Album Description

First time on CD for the long lost debut for this progressive quartet that featured keyboardist, Morgan Fisher (ex-Love Affair) who wrote an introduction in the sleeve-notes) and vocalist, Tim Staffell (ex-Smile, Mott The Hoople) who provides updated artwork. Originally released in 1972 on RCA. Electronic keyboard-drenched progressive rock. 2000 release. Standard jewel case.

Album Details

Morgan Fisher (Mott the Hoople), Bob Sapsed and Tim Staffell. first Time Ever Released on CD! Originally Released on RCA in 1972. Features a Deluxe 12-Page Full Color CD Booklet with Introductory Sleeve Notes by Morgan Fisher and Updated Artwork from Tim Staffell.

Customer Reviews:

Incredible English prog.......2006-05-29

This 1972 release is very obscure, even amongst proggers, and I am not quite sure why - this stuff is amazing.

The musicians on this album are incredible and include bandleader Morgan Fisher (VCS3, mini moog, Hammond organ, acoustic piano, spinet, and mellotron), Bob Sapsed (fretless bass), Maurice Bacon (drums/percussion), and Tim Staffel (vocals, acoustic/electric guitars). The performances are excellent and there is some fairly intricate ensemble work - just the type of thing that one would expect from high quality English prog. Tim Staffel has a very good and high pitched voice that is occasionally altered by running his voice through the VCS3 synthesizer.

The four tracks on the album range in length from 5'17" (Tim Staffels' haunting piece Alone), to the mammoth, 20'17" suite and prog extravaganza Nova Solis. Morgan is an excellent composer and arranger, and all of the tracks flow along nicely. Melodies and harmonies are also highly developed and dynamic contrasts are used effectively. I guess it's worth noting that sections of Jupiter from Gustav Holst's Planets were worked into the Nova Solis suite only after lengthy negotiations with Imogen Holst (his daughter). Although Morgan is an incredible keyboardist, I have to single out Bob Sapsed. He is an excellent player, thoroughly contrapuntal, and the tone and texture of his fretless bass (he uses glissandos very well) adds great depth to this music.

The album was recorded at the then "state of the art" RCA recording studios in Rome, Italy and the sound quality is excellent. There are abundant and recent commentaries from Morgan both in a general sense and track by track comments. The lyrics have also been reproduced and there are several photos of the band taken during the recording process (with some pretty funny captions).

This is an unfairly neglected prog rock album that is simply excellent and very highly recommended. For those of you that like this album, the second (and final) album The Sleeper Wakes (1973) is also fantastic.

MORGAN/NOVA SOLIS: A HAUNTING JOURNEY HOME.......2002-12-14

I first heard this recording only once at a friends house in 1972. I could never remember the artists name and only recently found out who was responsible for one of the most haunting and memorable progressive rock albums I have ever heard. Samarkhand the Golden is a powerful and terrifying opening cut that sets the stage for the balance of the album. The title and final cut Nova Solis, is a musical masterpiece of rich color and complexity, immersing the listener completely into the heart of the voyager with all of his hopes and longings and finally his total heartbreak and despair at the sight of his world gone forever.

After only one listening in my life, it made such an indelible impression on me that I have been on a quest to find this recording again for the last 30 years. How fortunate for all of us that this recording has been re-released in CD format. This is a must have for any serious collector of early progressive rock

Fantastic!.......2002-05-14

This debut of the obscure prog outfit Morgan is perhaps the best prog I've ever heard, and believe me, I know more about prog than any of you out there. The music is very dominated by synths (in fact, no electric guitars can be heard on this album), especially the vsc-3, and Morgan Fisher sure knows how to use that thing. And what a precious little gem Roger Taylor and Brian May lost when Tim Staffell quit Smile. No wonder why they picked Freddie to replace him. Their voices are very similar. If you are looking for dreamy melodic progrock in the vein of Yes, (early) King Crimson, Genesis etc, this is NOT what you're after. This is much more complex and inaccessible than any of those bands. Wasn't I such an expert on progrock, I'd probably say that it reminds me of ELP. But it doesn't! Emerson never played this complex music. Fisher is far more talented, and it goes without saying that Tim Staffell is a better singer than Greg Lake since his voice is downright mediocre. Now you run along and buy this album and expose your little ears to experimental rock extraordinaire!!

morgan.......2002-05-09

I had an copy of this album when it first came out ...
and thought of it as one of the most advance records of its time.. and now in 2002.. it still gives me chills .. oneof the best

Music Album:

Music Album

Music Album

Music

Complete Jazz at Massey Hall ~ Charlie Parker

Quadromania ~ Errol Garner

Spirits Before ~ Charles Gayle

With All Your Heart ~ Lonnie Plaxico

Wiggin' Out ~ Maniac

Air Mail Music: Afghanistan ~ Various Artists

Super Best Trance Presents Bikini Trance ~ Various Artists

Tribal, Folk & Cafe Music of West Africa ~ Various Artists

Luzes da Mesma Luz ~ Eduardo Gudin

Ryukyu Moon ~ Mamoru Miyagi