Psych Progressive- PHOENIX- Cantofabule- FIRST PRESS

$

50

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LP Was Released by Electrecord (Romania) in the 1970's. The Cover is a Gatefold Cover and the LP is a Double LP. Label Number is STM-EDE 01115-0116 The LP has White Label With Red Writting. It is a FIRST PRESS LP. 
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This is one of the 3 Cult LP's released by the Romanian Progressive band "Phoenix" in the 70's.

PHOENIX - Cantofabuule :

1. Invocatie (10:13)
2. Norocul Inorogului (3:19)
3. Scara Scarabeului (2:20)
4. Definul, Dulce Dulful Nostru (5:49)
5. Uciderea Balaurului (4:35)
6. Stima Casei (2:21)
7. Pasarea Calandrinon (5:50)
8. Filip Si Cerbul (4:30)
9. Vasiliscul Si Aspida (3:55)
10. Sirena (3:45)
11. Pasarea Roc..k And Roll (5:32)
12. Canticlu A Cucuveaualiei (7:07)
13. Zoomahia (6:04)
14. Phoenix (3:44)

- Nicolae Covaci / lead guitar, vocals, acoustic guitar, double six, blockflote
- Iosif Kappl / bass, vocals, violin, blockflote
- Mircea Baniciu / vocals, guitar
- Ovidiu Lipan / drums, bongos, tympani, gong, chimes, tambourine
- Gunter Reininger / piano, electric piano, synthesizer, celesta, electronic organ

Review- ( I used material from www.progarchive.com )

Still not sure whether this album is called Cantofabule (fabulous song) or Cant Of A Bule (as the disc label being called so) or as my Romanian stepsister said Cantafabule, but the track listing is correct. The artwork being similar but monochromic red and carrying the cat # Fanny 100, it is most likely a bootleg, but this was the only way to get to listen (outside the PA's samples) to a full album. This sextet's third album is maybe the best appreciated by progheads, but apparently the last one before the fled the Ceaucescu regime.

The original double album was a concept based on some traditional Romanian themes based on adaptation of poets Seban Foarta and Andrei Ujica and inspired on a Dimitri Bolintineanu book called Istoria Ieroglifa (speaking of a "bestiaire" of fantastic mythical creatures), this almost 70 min-long piece is indeed one of the best thing to come from the old Dacian province. If I speak of Dacia (relating it to the Roman Empire times instead of Valachia or Moldavia-Bessarabia), it is because the general feel relates a bit to Italian prog (this is greatly due to the similarity of both languages), but the Timisoara (in Transylvania where the revolt started) group developed a very ambitious project that mixed some medieval folk with hard rock fronted by a fuzzed-out guitar.

The two-parts lengthy opening track Invocatie gives out right away the main dimension of their music, a fairly hard prog dominated by a fuzz-guitar, where all musicians hold their own. Surprising how modern for the day they sounded apparently having a moog synth. During this track, the group moves to different moods and passages including a "folk" one and there is a harpsichord thrown in there too and the track is a very captivating intro. Moving from the Harpsichord/flute piece Unicorn (sung in Old French) to the mediocre beat-rock of the sacred beetle (Scarabeului), the albums moves quickly to another highlight about dolphins (Delfinul), where the group shows the extent of their considerable talent in this folky ballad. Going through the dragon (semi-hard rocking), the snake (with a terrible sounding violin), a special kind of bird (Calandrinon) that's supposed to accompany you into the underworld (another highlight in my book with superb bass work), the moose and the mongoose, the siren and a few other mythical creatures, the group continues tirelessly (even if you do, partly due to the length and the repetition of tracks that hammer on the same nail and the Romanian singing) until another pure psych-beat-RnR (track 11, a bit of a filler really) breaks the cycle of prog/folk tracks alternating.

The album gets back on track with the splendid Cintic-Lu (hawk) track which definitely seals the fate of the concept as excellent (just short of brilliant), followed by another fabulous Zoomahia (starting with the same electronic sounds that you found on the start of the album, but much longer and sounding like Gong) and the album closing on their fetish Phoenix, rising from the ashes.

Overall this album holds very few flaws (given its communist era background), few fillers and a bunch of superb if inhabitual prog folk tracks, which makes this album a masterpiece of its own. Clearly this album should get the honours from a full remastering and mini-Lp treatment, as it stands in the top 10 of the ex-soviet block

GRADES AND DESCRIPTIONS:

Mint (M)
Use Mint sparingly if at all. This grade commands the highest price in price guides (maybe even higher). Contrary to popular belief, a Mint record does not have to be sealed, and if sealed, can not technically be called Mint because it may have scuffs from packaging. It does have to be perfect. There must not be any scratches or scuffs. A Mint cover and the artwork has to be perfect, with no marks, stickers, or writing.

Near Mint (NM or even M-)
This should be the most used grade for almost flawless records and covers. Near Mint graded records can receive the highest price in the price guides. They might have one minor scuff and they should play without any noise. Covers should look near perfect as well, with very small signs of age.

Very Good Plus (VG+)
These should be priced at 50 percent of Mint or NM prices. They might have slightly visible scratches that do not affect the sound. Deep scratches that are visible in plain light are not acceptable. The cover can have slight wear, but no more than three flaws that have to be explained. It can have small writing (not big), show age, and have slight wear to the seams. Water damage and stains are not acceptable.

Very Good (VG)
These are worth 25 percent of NM priced records. There are very noticeable scratches and scuffs that can be heard when played. The noise can be heard during soft passages, but does not affect the enjoyment of the music. Covers have writing, stickers, seam splitting, and look worn. The artwork should still look good.

Good (G) or Good Plus (G+) (sometimes VG-)
These are worth 10-15 percent of NM records. This record can still be played without skipping, but has a lot of noise and visible scratches. You should still be able to enjoy the music. Covers have seam splits and maybe even tape on them, as well as writing. The artwork is still decent.

Poor (P), Fair (F)
These are worth 0-5 percent of NM records. They are hardly worth your time, unless very rare. The record might be warped or cracked and won't play without skipping. The cover is damaged.