UK four CD set in clamshell box. Esoteric Recordings is pleased to announce the release of The Manticore Studio Albums 1973 - 1977. Premiata Forneria Marconi, better known in English speaking countries as PFM, were arguably the finest Italian Progressive rock band of the 1970's and certainly one of the most well-known. A successful act in their home land, they came to international attention when they signed to Emerson, Lake and Palmer's label Manticore in 1973, recording a series of albums with English lyrics, some penned by Elp and King Crimson lyricist Pete Sinfield. Over the next four years they released four studio albums for the label, Photos Of Ghosts, The World Became The World, Chocolate Kings and Jet Lag. This clamshell boxed set gathers these four albums in replica album sleeve wallets and also includes a new poster. It is a fine celebration of the band's studio work for the Manticore label.
J**N
great starter/box set for PFM
All these recent 2020/21 CD box sets seem to be the best music/money value yet. In this case I only needed Jet Lag since I had the others, but Jet Lag by itself costs more than this box set. All in all a great box set from a great Italian band
R**O
Love the remastering and fast delivery!
Wow! These sound great! In 1973, I first heard PFM's CELEBRATION on progressive fm stations in the midwest. The funny thing was that the same stations werent playing Genesis till after the Lamb.... came out. And I got to see PFM open up for FOGHAT and BOC in early 1975 at Davenport Iowa's Palmer Auditorium. And they substituted for THE ALEX HARVEY BAND. WHAT A SURPRISE!
A**M
Progressive at the best
Very good start of PFM in a box.
P**H
Italian prog rockers four albums on ELP's label.
Premiata Forneria Marconi more commonly known as PFM were probaly the first Italian prog rock group to have international success. This handsome little box set contains the four albums they released on ELP's label Manticore. The music is typical of the period in being layered and ambitious. Glistening pastoral sounds with many classical touches along with some beefed up guitars and keyboards. I am a sucker for the sound of a Fender Rhodes, a Mini-Moog or a Mellotron and there is a feast of them here along with well arranged violin and woodwind parts. If you are a fan of King Crimson, Gentle Giant, Greenslade or early Genisis these albums are for you.PFM found success in the USA in the mid-70's and enjoyed a high profile support slot on tour with Santana. Legend has it that the band came back for encores often after Santa had finished their set!The individual CD's come in great little scaled down versions of the original album sleeves and you can read the print on them-in most cases. There is a small poster included but no booklet which does not matter really these days.After listening to these four fine examples of 70's prog rock with a continental flavour one must feel a little sad. To quote Classic Rock magazine; 'This collection stands as a monument to a kind of music that once was and never shall be again'.
A**R
It's a pity that ELP's label produced these albums in English since their work is better in Italian
I first bought 'Photos of Ghosts' in about '74, and 'Isla di Niente' soon after; PoG was exciting and revolutionary for the period and has stood the test of time reasonably well but the other three albums really haven't. This is a pity since PFMs more recent albums - e.g. 'Emotional Tattoo' - are well worth a listen, offering a fresh and palatable take on the Prog Rock genre that by '77 had died in a welter pretentiousness and creative fatigue.
J**G
4 great albums at a reasonable price.
I used to have some of these on vinyl, and decided to take the plunge and get them on cd.Well worth owning.Great musicianship.
A**R
lovely box set
perfect new stock very happy thanks
T**N
Better than buying individual albums
Great albums
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