Eela Craig-One Niter (1976)

Far removed from the immense and monumental German progressive scene of the 70s, neighboring Austria also saw the emergence of some noteworthy bands, such as Eela Craig. This band was one of the most popular of the early 70s, to the point that a major label like the British avant-garde rock label Vertigo Records included them in its catalog. Formed in 1970 in Linz, their initial lineup consisted of Horst Waber (drums), Harald Zuschrader (organ, flute, guitar, and saxophone), Hubert Bognermayer (keyboards), Gerhard English (bass), Heinz Gerstenmair (guitar, organ, and vocals), and Will Orthofer (lead vocals and saxophone). In 1971, under poor production, they released their debut album, a work in which the experimental and daring sounds of progressive rock permeate every groove. Five years later they returned with "One Niter", an ingenious release featuring more progressive, symphonic sounds than its predecessor. This second album surpasses its predecessor in every way, showcasing the talent of all its members with a distinctly more symphonic, spacey sound, composed primarily of several instrumental tracks divided into easily identifiable sections. It's an album that's a true delight to listen to from beginning to end without skipping a single track. In the following years, this band expanded its discography with the interesting "Hats of Glass", "Missa Universalis", and "Virgin Oilland", all of which retained the stylistic hallmarks of the sensational "One Niter".