Nektar - Remember the Future (1973) + Magic Is a Child (1977)

First-rate Germany-based prog. I couldn't decide which direction I wanted to go with this post. Typically, with relatively well-known bands, I'll post lesser known or what I see as underrated material, which in this case would be Magic Is a Child, the album on which Nektar abandoned sprawling prog epics in favor of more concise, prog-y pop rock that's kinda along the lines of Supertramp (not unlike Eloy did with Colours.) Cranky old prog-heads hate it because they think it was a sellout move, but we know better, right?

BUT is Nektar really that well-known? They're not exactly a household name. If that's the case, I'd have to go with Remember the Future, the album on which they IMO perfected their expansive, noodle-y sound with a single epic, divided across two sides of an LP. It has everything that you like about 70s prog -- space-y buildups, odd-time signature breakdowns, hints of fusion, heavy payoffs, quasi-philosophical lyrics about time travel, pretension galore -- and if you haven't heard it, you need to. What's a nerdy music blogger to do?

So, you get both. Happy day!

Track listing:
-Remember the Future-
1. Remember the Future - Part One
2. Remember the Future - Part Two
-Magic Is a Child-
1. Away from Asgard
2. Magic Is a Child
3. Eerie Lackawanna
4. Midnight Light
5. Love to Share (Keep Your Worries Behind You)
6. Train from Nowhere
7. Listen
8. On the Run (The Trucker)
9. Spread Your Wings

Spin the wheel of never-ending time

You should also hear:

Starcastle -
Starcastle (1976)

Novalis -
Brandung (1977)