Guest
Automatic Fine Tuning - . 1976 (UK, Heavy Progressive Rock) In 1976, guitarists Paul A. MacDonnell and Robert Cross, a bass player and drummer Trevor Darks (aka vocalist) Dave Ball created this wonderful but forgotten, unfortunately, the project is now. The band recorded a single, but a great album, called uncomplicated own acronym - “AFT“ and ... broke up. Criminaly underrated band and album in my opinion, delivering some of the most stunning heavy prog albums of the decade. The album was released in summer of 1976 and was not a comercial succes, not by far, because the band tried and succeded to gather all the neo-classical and barock arrangements with heavy prog elements in one single unit - Automatic Fine Tuning - the response from the media and public was minor, so they disbanded soon after and they gone almost unnoticed by many prog conoseurs and heavy prog lovers - the mid to late '70's prog was no longer something to talk about . The album was way ahead of his time delivering some superb guitar chops made by Paul A. MacDonnell and Robert Cross very very intristing for that time, very strong harmonics and smooth arrangements on 6 and 12 strings, aswell as the guitar duel between them leaves no comments, excellent. The rytmic section was provided by Dave Ball on drums who also done the vocal parts on Queen of the night and Trevor Darks on bass. The album sounds close to what Yngwie Malmsteen or Joey Taffola done, but they've done it ten years after AFT, that means AFT influenced some musicians from later decades. Great barock hevy prog album with smooth harmonics, great musicianship. AFT has 4 pieces , one of them is divided in two - The Great Panjandrum Wheel part 1&2, more than 30minutes of real feast for all listners, the cherry on the cake here, the rest are aslo very strong. This album sounds so original that even after 30 years is still present and is a real pleasure to listen to, one of my fav albums ever. Recommended to everyone intrested in discovering heavy prog of the highest calibre with a vintage sound. This band was a big discovery for me and has a special place in my collection, Tracks: 01. The Great Panjandrum Wheel (Part One) - 14:25 a). Wolvereine (Part 1) b). Horizons c). Wolvereine (Part 2) d). Maneater 02. Gladioli - 4:41 03. The Great Panjandrum Wheel (Part Two) - 15:45 a). Panjandrum b). Epic c). Terminal C d. City Business e). Dragon Fly 04. Queen of the Night - 3:49 Personnel: Robert Cross - guitar Trevor Darks - bass Pat MacDonnell - guitar Dave Ball - drums, vocals Loyd Grossman, Neal Grossman - producers
