World of Progressive Rock

Folk Influenced musician, Richard Dawson, teams up with Finnish doom, prog metal band, Circle, producing the instant modern classic, Henki (2021). While it’s Dawson’s songs that carry you, it’s Circle’s prog leanings, blending with layered doom folk that inspire. Seriously fun.

‘Songs from the Wood’ (1977). This is a classic by Jethro Tull. Weaving progressive rock with a British folk rock influence pushed to the fore. Some excellent group dynamics play out while Ian Anderson cements his place as an original rock star. Contains a Yuletide classic too!

Debate continues over which album truly launched progressive rock. Was it Days of Future Passed (1967) by The Moody Blues? Blending psych rock, tender ballads & sweeping orchestral passages from the London Festival Orchestra, it remains a timeless masterpiece. RIP John Lodge.

Matching Mole’, (1972), is the eponymous debut and a Canterbury scene classic by Matching Mole (Machine Molle, the French translation of the name of Robert Wyatt's previous group Soft Machine). Included are a some classy jazz rock workouts as well the beautiful “O Caroline”.

#albumsyoumusthear Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath - 1970

#albumsyoumusthear Black Sabbath - Paranoid - 1970

Foxtrot (1972) by Genesis. One of the great prog rock albums. Home to the monumental Supper’s Ready, the romantic chivalry of Time Table, and the apocalyptic sci-fi of Watcher of the Skies. Gabriel’s growing sense of showmanship made him a rock star.

2 Ozs of Plastic with a Hole in the Middle (1969) is the adventurous second album by Welsh psych-prog band Man. Opens with “Prelude/The Storm” and dives into trippy jams. Includes live favourite “Spunk Box.” Bold, experimental, and uniquely Welsh.

Romantic fish? Octopus-chameleons? Oceanic mysteries? Preternatural (2016) by Moulettes is a wildly inventive concept album—prog, folk & electronica woven into something truly original. Hannah Miller leads with fearless creativity. You need to hear this.

Kevin Ayers isn’t strictly prog, but he holds a special place in the genre. A founding member of Soft Machine—pioneers of mind-expanding music—he also worked with Syd Barrett. His first five solo albums are criminally underrated. A true visionary.

Gryphon – Red Queen to Gryphon Three (1973): Baroque ’n’ Roll at its finest. A loose concept album inspired by chess—instrumental, intricate, and oddly majestic. Around this time, Gryphon toured with Yes and gained a devoted cult following.

The fabulous McDonald and Giles (1971) is a rare gem—pastoral yet rich with the musical complexity of early King Crimson. Recorded after Ian McDonald & Michael Giles left the band in ’69. Bonus: Steve Winwood guests.

Before guitar wizard Steve Hillage joined Gong, he released Space Shanty (1972) with Dave Stewart under the name Khan — a marvellous psychedelic jazz/rock record. Not strictly fusion, but rich with Canterbury scene charm. Highly recommended.

Song for America (1975) is the second album by Kansas, showcasing their intricate progressive side alongside the boogie-rock showmanship that defined their late ’70s sound. The title track is a standout, with beautiful violin, piano, and a memorable melody.

Red (1974) by King Crimson is a vicious, vital farewell to the ‘70s lineup. “Providence” crackles with live improv energy, but it’s “Starless” that haunts—its aching guitar motif and Wetton’s tender vocal make it timeless.

Forest of Lost Children (2014) by Kikagaku Moyo is a beautiful trip through Japanese psychedelic prog—trippy vocals, droning freak-beats, and hypnotic grooves. Short, strange, and stunning. You'll keep coming back.

From Silence to Somewhere (2017) by Norway’s Wobbler is a bold prog odyssey—four epic tracks steeped in metamorphosis, change, and alchemy. Influences swirl, time bends, and it all ends with the transcendent “Foxlight.” A modern classic.

Crafted at Abbey Road by the genius Alan Parsons, Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon (1973) isn’t just an album—it’s an eclipse of the mind. Whether it’s your first listen or your thousandth, it melts the brain and lifts the soul. Timeless. Untouchable.

Steven Wilson’s The Overview (2025) is a triumph. Side one is a psychedelic, Beatlesque dreamscape; side two explores jazzy, cinematic terrain. A bold, space-inspired suite from one of prog’s most restless and visionary artists.

Supertramp: a phenomenal band with real songwriting chops. Their debut leans progressive, and Crime has plenty of prog moments. “Fool’s Overture” and “Child of Vision” say it all. A band that still splits prog fans down the middle.