Various Artists

Ring the Bells and Sing: with this new compilation, Esoteric Recordings takes a look at 1975 in progressive rock.  By compiler Mark Powell's admission, "1975 is not often referred to as a year that produced a wealth of legendary music."  He sets out to prove that assessment wrong with this 4-CD, 47-song compendium.  The set stresses the international reach of prog as well as the art of the album as opposed to the single; while many of these artists weren't regular hitmakers, Powell stresses that they were filling theatres as well as college and university auditoriums, no longer underground but an important part of the rock music of the day.  Many of the names here are familiar to collectors of other Cherry Red/Esoteric releases (Barclay James Harvest, Hawkwind, Stackridge, Procol Harum, Renaissance).  Another Esoteric alum, Al Stewart, might not fit neatly into any one musical box - whether folk, pop, prog, rock, or even yacht rock! - but his "Modern Times" is a seamless inclusion here.  Of the other boldfaced names, Yes is represented with "Soon" (perhaps ironically, in its single version) and bassist Chris Squire is also heard on his own "Lucky Seven."  Genesis' Steve Hackett is represented with "Star of Sirius" and "Shadow of the Hierophant."  Concentrating (mostly) on deep cuts, Ring the Bells and Sing serves as an alternative history of rock circa '75.  Its accompanying 48-page booklet, with track-by-track annotations, is an essential part of the journey.  James Collins has remastered, and the whole thing is housed in a clamshell case that's the perfect size to stuff a stocking!​