PHOENIX mugur de fluier LP Rom prog monster orig MINT

$

115

Description:

Artist: PHOENIX

Title: MUGUR DE FLUIER

Label: ELECTRECORD

Catalog #: STM-EDE 0968

Country: ROMANIA

Year of original press: 1974

Year of a current issue: 1974

Issue specification (original press, reissue, repress…): ORIGINAL

Cover: EX

Insert: NM

Vinyl: MINT

Label: MINT

Additional information:

Comments:  Phoenix was influenced by several British/Western European bands, but managed to create its own unmistakable style by extensively/intelligently using elements of Romanian traditional music. Phoenix was the best, or at least the best known, Romanian rock/progressive rock outfit. The band was highly popular in the 1970s, and then developed a huge cult following in the 1980's, after most of its members emigrated to West Germany and the Romanian communist authorities banned their music.

Phoenix was one of the very few Romanian bands that managed to, or was allowed to, produce three albums in only a few years in the 1970's. The band's music on these three albums was a mixture of rock/progressive rock and Romanian traditional music (the latter notable in the rhythms, melodies, the use of traditional instruments, percussion and unison singing). Their style influenced several other Romanian bands, especially Celelalte Cuvinte in the 1980s.

The beginnings of Phoenix can be traced back to the 1960s. Two EPs were released during this period, featuring several original compositions, hardly memorable in my opinion (altough quite successful), and two covers of (I think) Beatles' songs. The band fully developed its trademark style on the first LP. Cei Ce Ne-Au Dat Nume (translation: "Those Who Gave Us A Name") is probably the hardest of the three albums. The album opens with "Ciclul Anotimpurilor" ("The Seasons' Cycle"), a long suite that includes five adapted Romanian traditional pieces, and three more or less rock songs in between symbolizing the seasons. After "Nunta" ("The Wedding"), a 4-minute rock hit, comes "Negru Voda" ("King Black"), a 15-minute monster song, probably their best known piece. It starts with a traditional-sounding theme played on violin, which is then developed into a full song when the band joins in. The violin returns after a couple of minutes, and the whole cycle is repeated a few times and further developed. Some great soloing is also featured. The album closes with "Pseudo-Morgana" ("Pseudo-Mirage"), a "meditative" instrumental piece subsequently used in a Romanian movie, along with a couple of tracks from the next album.

Mugur De Fluier ("Shepherd's Flute Bud") is their mellowest album, featuring mostly shorter songs, with folk influences. Romanian traditional music influences are also abundant. The longest tracks are particularly notable. "Strunga" ("The Sheepfold") is an amazing, ethereal piece that opens with a beautiful melody played on shepherd's flute. The band joins in and the song slowly grows in intensity until the release comes several minutes later in the form of a very short, angry, but effective guitar solo. The intensity then decreases and the shepherd's flute melody returns to close the track in a perfect circle. Amazing. I would include this piece in a best-ever list without hesitation. "Dansul Codrilor" ("Forest Dance"), another long piece, closes the album. It is a heavy, angry song (featuring an insane backward violin solo) that probably would have fit better on their next album. Mugur De Fluier also includes several short beautiful ballads, one of which ("Andrii Popa") was still getting a lot of air time on Romanian radio in the 1980s, but to circumvent the official ban was being credited to the band's lead vocalist (who actually wrote the song, and had not left the country).

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Record grading:

MINT: No scuffs, scratches, blotches, stains, labels, writing, tears or splits. Simply perfect.

NEAR MINT VINYL(NM): a Record that may have one or two tiny, minor flaws such as light paper scuffs from sliding in and out of the sleeves that do not affect play.

NEAR MINT COVERS: the cover should look as close to perfect with only minor signs of wear and or age. Minor impressions to the cover (due to the outer edge of the vinyl resting inside) may be acceptable, however the artwork should be as close to perfect as can be.

EXCELLENT VINYL (EX or VG++): a Record has been handled and played either very little or very carefully. The vinyl may have lost some but not all of it's original luster or have a slight scratch that doesn't affect play.

EX COVER: Artwork should still be as close to perfect as can be. Some impression to the cover (minor outer ring wear) but no ink wear! Some slight creases to the corners, but not wrinkled and obtrusive to the eye. The corners can show white (where the artwork pasted slick was) meaning, slight wear. No seam splits or writing on the cover or taped repairs can make this grade.

VG+ VINYL: will show wear, surface scuffs,(or spiral scuffs that came from turn table platters or jukeboxes for 45 singles) and some very light scratches. Surface scuffs are caused from blunt (not sharp) objects. Often the minor scuffs are caused from inner sleeves. The vinyl should still have a great luster, but the flaws will be noticeable to the naked eye. Sometimes holding the record up to a very bright light, you will see many tiny lines across the surface.

VG+ COVERS: a virtually clean cover, but may have small writing on it. (Magic marker in big letters will not cut it. They are an eye soar, so be weary of over grading). The artwork should look clean with slightly more aging. The back of the cover usually gives away the age of the cover. Flat white paper will be somewhat yellow yet no stains or mildew from water damage. Some minor wear to the seams or spine, but no tears or holes popping through. The corners will be slightly dog eared yet no crackly bends, defacing the artwork.

VERY GOOD (VG): will appear well played but still have some luster. The vinyl may be faded, slightly grayish, yet appears to have been handled as carefully as it could have been helped. Records that get continuous playing time will start to deteriorate. More and more surface scuffs and scratches, and audible sound defects WILL be heard. They should not overpower the dynamics of the music. With VG records, the surface noise will be minor crackle or a slight hiss, but should only be heard in between tracks or in low musical passages.

VG COVERS: will look worn, used. There may be some seam splitting (but not  completely separated!). There will be some ring wear, where the ink has begun to wear off. Giving the cover a look of snow falling. If the artwork looks snowy all over, it is less than VG condition. There may be some writing on the cover (still not LARGE letters in Magic Marker).

It will look aged, and more yellowish due to contaminations in the air (sometimes looking like cigarette smoke). Still it should be decent. If damaged beyond any formable beauty, it will not make this grade. VG should at least still have some attractive life to it, and not have taped seams or water damage to it.