Here is the first of the first round matchups in Jethro42's Prog Rock Tournament on the Sputnik Music website. For the second year in a row, my rec is up first (and for the second year in a row, my entrant is going up against the entry of a User named Zig. I think Jethro's trying to start a war between Zig and myself.)
Frogg Cafe - Bateless Edge
Frogg Cafe is a quintet from my very own hometown of Long Island, New York. They began their existence as a Frank Zappa cover band, but soon began creating original music. They describe their sound as a blend of progressive rock, pop melodicism and fusion jazz. progarchives.com says "Their music alternates from light, airy piano and violin parts to darker, intense guitar passages, creating a dynamic contrast; the use of the trumpet also adds interesting tonal colours."
https://froggcafe.bandcamp.com/releases
vs.
Pekka Pohjola - Visitaation
For his 4th solo album, Finnish composer and bassist Pekka Pohjola (1952-2008), one of the greatest Scandinavian musicians of all time, puts everything he had: his sense of melody, boundless love for jazz and prog rock, Mr. Frank Zappa's teachings and an absolutely unique look at the nature of neoclassical music. This instrumental record is a 32 minute entity joined not only by a brass section, but also by the strings and woodwinds of the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra. An ambitious album that, for once, achieves its lofty goals, and in spectacular style to thrill.
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/13jsiukSg8oNVBKACx3X3f?si=4cZ0GZskTBSc6kFIfAyfog
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVDUIxuUWxE
Voting ends next Saturday, February 26th. I'll let you know how it all works out.
