• Unicorn Sampler - 2004 - "Progression in Balance"
• Unicorn Sampler - 2006 - "Progression in Balance II"
• Uriah Heep - 1970 (2) - "Salisbury"
• U Totem - 1994 - "Strange Attractors"

"Progression in Balance" is the first compilation from Canada's Unicorn Records, whose activity spans six years already. It presents 14 tracks by 8 bands from the family; they were taken from the label's first 12 releases - those issued before 2004 - and were mastered especially for this CD. (Here, I must note that 2004 was probably the most productive year for Unicorn, so it's not far off when its second compilation will be out.) Here are the names of the participants, along with links to my reviews of their latest albums: The Addison Project, Talisma, Heon, Xinema, Hamadryad, Spaced Out and Mystery, which is the band of the label's owner, composer and musician Michel St-Pere. Since the majority of the outfits from the Unicorn family play either classic Art-Rock or classic Jazz-Fusion (in the best sense of the conception of "classic"), the material really represents somewhat of a balance of these musical forces. A true selection from one of the truly international progressive labels comes by a special law price. This CD might be very useful to those superficially acquainted with the ProGduction of Unicorn Records, not to mention those still unacquainted with it at all. I am giving it the highest rating that I find possible in the case of combined output.

Unicorn Sampler (Canada) - 2006 - "Progression in Balance II"
(12 tracks, 70 min CD)

"Progression in Balance II" is the second compilation from Canada's premier progressive rock label, Unicorn Digital, whose activity already spans eight years. The CD features 12 tracks representing 12 different bands from the label's roster, two of which, Talisma (their piece's title is Leviosa) and Hamadryad (Alien Spheres), had time to bring out their sophomore releases before the availability of the sampler and, thus, both appear in this series for the second time. Here are the names of the other ten participants along with the titles of their compositions (still in brackets) and links to my reviews of those albums that the pieces are taken from: Kaos Moon (Eternal Light Avenue), Nil (Abandon), Vladimir Badirov Project (Greeting From Nostradamus), Little King (Peacemaker), Parallel Mind (The Guardian), Dimension X (Why), Upright (Nouvean Depart), Alkemy (Inner Pulse), Ring Of Myth (Into Phase) and Retroheads (Taking My Time). This excellent selection, presenting three oldest Progressive Rock genres (art-rock, jazz-fusion and prog-metal) in their various manifestations, comes at a special low price. Highly recommended, particularly to those still unacquainted with the musical world created within the precincts of Unicorn Records.

Uriah Heep - 1970 (2) - "Salisbury" (UK)

This UH's album is not only in my Prog-Top-10 of 1970, but "Salisbury" is also a progressive album by 60 percent with such strong compositions as proto-prog-metal song "Bird of Prey", a beautiful Prog-ballad "The Park", and a true, almost sidelong Prog titletrack. On the whole, it's anything but not Hard-rock, rather one of the early Sympho-Prog works, and up to now it remains a very "listenable" album. Rock-classics?!

U Totem (USA) - 1994 - "Strange Attractors"

The band is based on "Cuneiform" label, which known as a "Headquarter of RIO". Yes, U Totem also plays Rock In Opposition, as well as Univers Zero, Present, Boud Deun, 5 UU's and others from this unique company. Fortunately, the most complex, in my opinion, style (RIO), simply have no borders or frameworks, and almost all the performers here play their own very original music. U Totem successfully combines such styles as the Progressive Rock, Contemporary Classics and World Music. The latter is used mostly in (quite rare) vocal parts by the excellent female singer Emily Hay. All compositions written by the bandleader guitarist/bassist James Grigsby and arranged by the band. Doubtless, today U Totem is one of the most innovative Progressive bands in the world, and their second album "Strange Attractors" is one of the most original works ever made in the history of Rock Music. U Totem a bit compared to Boud Deun, but these guys played more complex and intricate music (not saying of Univers Zero!). An excellent stage for novices into the RIO genre, though!