A quite interesting sampler ... with slight weaknesses ...

As always, a 'sampler' cause the most diverse reactions. A plus in advance: This compilation does not refer to "The Ultimate" or "The Very Best Of". After 6 CDs trying to approach 'Rock Progressive' the genre. Furthermore laudable: The listener learns quite know unusual acts - "Stone The Crows", "Focus" or "Stackridge". Discovering new things is fun!
For CD set:
6 CDs [3 CDs each in Foc-digipack] with a quite interesting artwork. Unfortunately, and completely incomprehensible to me, has been dispensed with a booklet. Especially for a 'compilation' is an explanatory booklet really indispensable. When will this be understood, the editors of such compilations?
For Sound: Unfortunately, this compilation has not always the optimum sound quality - especially affect the differences in volume partially confusing [Note: 'Made in Mexico']
Below the content of 6 CDs:
CD 1: "Throwing Melodies To The Stars"
[1] Steve Hackett - Please Do not Touch
[2] Premiata Forneria Marconi (PFM) - Celebration
[3] Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull) - Living In The Past
[4] Family - No Mule's Fool
[5] Rick Wakeman - Catherine Howard
[6] Adrian Belew (King Crimson) and Alan White (Yes) - Breathe
[7] Atomic Rooster - Tomorrow Night
[8] Patrick Moraz (Yes / Moody Blues) - Los Endo
[9] Keith Emerson & Dweezil Zappa - Run Like Hell
[10] Vanilla Fudge - You Keep Me Hangin 'On
[11] Steve Howe & Rick Wakeman - The Great Gig In The Sky
[12] Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull) - Skating Away On The Thin Ice Of The New Day
°°°°°°°°°°
CD 2: "Tomorrow is Today"
[1] Caravan - In The Land Of Grey And Pink
[2] Soft Machine - Song Of Aeolus
[3] Hatfield and the North - Going For A Song
[4] Soft Machine - Bundles
[5] Gong - Outer Vision
[6] Hawkwind - Brainstorm
[7] Can - All Gates Open
[8] Tangerine Dream - Ultima Thule Part 1
[9] Tangerine Dream - Ultima Thule Part 2
[10] Amon Guru - swampy water
[11] Brainticket - Egyptian Kings
[12] Can - November
°°°°°°°°°°
CD 3: "Painting The Sky In Your Mind"
[1] Premiata Forneria Marconi (PFM) - From Under
[2] Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso - L'Albero del Pane
[3] Fairport Convention - Orange Blossom Special
[4] Pete Sinfield - A House Of Hopes And Dreams
[5] Family - In My Own Time
[6] Affinity - Three Sisters
[7] Carmen - Bullfight
[8] Atomic Rooster - Death Walks Behind You
[9] Third Ear Band - Cosmic Wheel
[10] Brand X - Can-Utility And The Coastliners
[11] Principal Edwards Magic Theatre - McAlpine Versus The Asmoto
[12] John Wetton (King Crimson), Peter Banks & Tony Kaye (Yes) - Eclipse
°°°°°°°°°°
CD 4: "Little Particles Of Science"
[1] The Prog Collective feat. Alan Parsons & Chris Squire - The Technical Divide
[2] The Crimson Projekct - Red
[3] Focus - Hocus Pocus
[4] The Prog Collective feat. Steve Hillage - Buried Beneath
[5] nectar - Good Day
[6] Greenslade - Bedside Manners Are Extra
[7] Linda Hoyle (Affinity) - Black Crow
[8] Caravan - If I Could It All Over Again, I'd Do It All Over You
[9] Lindisfarne - Lady Eleanor
[10] Procol Harum - A Whiter Shade Of Pale
[11] Hawkwind - Space Is Deep
[12] Tangerine Dream - Sunset In The Fifth System
°°°°°°°°°°
CD 5: "Swimming In The Seas Of Uranus"
[1] The Nice - America
[2] Flash (Peter Banks) - Lifetime
[3] Atomic Rooster feat. Carl Palmer - Friday the 13th
[4] Jerry Goodman & Rick Wakeman - Random Acts Of Science
[5] Steve Hackett feat. John Wetton - Firth Of Fifth
[6] Stackridge - Lummy Days
[7] Anthony Phillips feat. Phil Collins - Which Way The Wind Blows
[8] Ken Hensley (Uriah Heep) - The Wizard
[9] Peter Hammill & Gary Lucas - Of Kith & Kin
[10] Dave Greenslade - Cactus Choir
[11] Curved Air - Vivaldi
[12] Stone The Crows - Love 74
°°°°°°°°°°
CD 6: "Close To The Heights Of Perception"
[1] Focus - House Of The King
[2] United Progressive Fraternity feat. Jon Anderson - The Water
[3] The Prog Collective feat. Tony Kaye - Just Another Day
[4] Genesis - The Serpent
[5] John Wetton - What Can Be Done
[6] The Crimson Projekct - Lark's Tongues In Aspic Part Two ...
[7] Brainticket - Radagacuca
[8] Clark / Hutchinson - Improvisation On An Indian Scale
[9] Curved Air - Stay Human
[10] Van Der Graaf Generator - Your Time Starts Now
[11] Ken Hensley (Uriah Heep) - Circle Of Hands
[12] Carmen - Viva Mi Sevilla
My conclusion: In spite of some sound-technical problems and a sorely missed booklet with further information I forgive 4 stars = I like it. A really interesting compilation concerning the * Progressive Rock * a quite reasonable price.
[Reinhard Busse]