One of the pioneers of the early 70's German progressive rock scene.They were formed in mid- 60's in
Erlangen under the name Bentox and offering a beat sound.In 1969 they were renamed to Chromosom,this time they added elements from the West Coast sound in their style.By 1970 Bernd Leistner leads the band as a vocalist and the band dramatically changed its sound,now under the name Wind. Their debut "Seasons" was released in 1971 on the obscure low budget label +Plus+,which managed to release only three albums before closing.
WIND - SEASONS 1971
This is a prog rock classic from Germany. The debut of Wind is a keyboard orientated work, heavily
influenced by the first three albums of Uriah Heep. Nevertheless, they have their own sound, which is more in the underground vein, like many other albums recorded in Germany during the early 70's. Four of the five band members sing (well) and there is no german accent, typical of many Krautrock bands back then. Wind tried their best to achieve success, and maybe they would if they continued to write and record albums like their debut.
A weak point in "Seasons" is the sound. The music of Wind demanded a better sound production, and
even for a 1971 album the sound is a bit poor. The songwriting is really good. There are heavy prog songs, like the fantastic opener "What Do We Do Now" and "Dear Little Friend", and calm, like "Now It's Over" and "Romance", a keyboard melody passage, which serves as a bridge before the floating melodies of "Springwind"."Red Morningbird" is the 16-minute album's epic, my favourite album track.
The band's character is in full display here, including heavy, melodic and deeply emotional moments, which reach a peak in the beginning of the 11th minute before a rather psychedelic ending. Great
album. "Seasons" is placed exactly on the line between the Hard Rock sound of the early 70's and the upcoming snowball of the Progresive Rock movement.The album and the band deserve some wider recognition for their daring sound and high levels of energy throughout the listening.Strongly recommended to fans of the new-born progressive sound around 1970.
Wind – Seasons
Label:Long Hair – LHC00086, Long Hair – LHC86
Format: CD, Album, Reissue, Remastered 2010
Country: Germany
Released: 1971
Genre: Rock
Style: Krautrock, Prog Rock
TRACKS
01. What Do We Do Now 8:25
Composed By – Schmidt, Leidenberger/Flute – Jochen Petersen
02. Now It's Over 4:22
Composed By – Leidenberger
Lead Vocals [Leadvocal] – Thomas Leidenberger
03. Romance 1:31
Composed By – Schmidt, Leidenberger
Piano – Lucky Schmidt
04. Springwind 7:08
Composed By – Schmidt, Leidenberger
05. Dear Little Friend 4:15
Composed By – Schmidt, Leidenberger
06. Red Morningbird 15:56
Composed By – Leistner
LINE - UP
Bass, Vocals – Andreas Büeler
Drums, Percussion, Vibraphone [Vibes], Clavinet – Lucky Schmidt
Guitar [Guitars], Vocals – Thomas Leidenberger
Lead Vocals [Leadvocals], Harmonica, Flute, Performer [Schlotterla], Percussion – Steve Leistner
Organ, Piano, Vocals, Percussion – Lucian Büeler
NOTES
Recorded at Tonstudio Dierks, Stommeln, 1971 Miller Records
Flac Size: 261 MB
WIND - MORNING 1972
Originally released in 1972, as this was the obscure German "heavy progressive" band's follow-
up to their first record "Season". Much different than their debut album. This album will sure to please anyone who liked the apocolyptic feel of King Crimson's Epitah with the mellotron swirls and melancholic melodies that reflect doom. For anyone who likes mellotrons, I highly recommend this. In addition to the mellotron swirls and sometimes dramatic vocals, it was a pleasant surprise to hear vocal harmonies much in the way of early Crosby Stills and Nash.
The only weak song on this album is the closing track Josephine which should have perhaps been left
off the album. It's not a horrible song. It's just a straight ahead rocker with no progressive tendancies and has nothing to do with the general flow of the album. Best track is Dragon's Maid but they're all good except for the closer. This group wrote only two albums, they absolutely different, but to them always it would be desirable to return and listen! Wind Morning - very warm album, is written talently has the unique sounding - the most beautiful melodies!
Wind – Morning
Label: Trick Music – TM 9302, Green Tree Records – GTR 014
Format: CD, Album, Reissue, Stereo 1993
Country: Germany
Released: 1972
Genre: Rock, Folk, World, & Country
Style: Prog Rock, Folk Rock
TRACKS
01. Morning Song (3:59)
02. The Princess And The Minstrel (6:39)
03. Dragon's Maid (8:39)
04. Carnival (7:56)
05. Schlittenfahrt (3:08)
06. Puppet Master (3:25)
07. Tommy's Song (5:28)
BONUS TRACK
08. Josephine (3:38)
Total Time: 42:52
LINE - UP
Steve Leistner - lead vocals, percussion
Thomas Leidenberger - guitar, vocals
Andreas Büeler - bass, vocals, percussion
Lucian Büeler - keyboards, vocals, percussion
Lucky Schmidt - drums, percussion, Mellotron, piano
NOTES
Recorded at Tonstudio Dierks, Stommeln (1971)
Digitally Remastered at R&M, Nürnberg (1993)
1972 CBS - 1993 Trick Music