Northwind - Discografia (1972 - 1978) (Heavy Prog / Progressive Rock) (USA)

The Northwind Story
by Northwind

The original Northwind band was founded in 1968 by Roland Ernest and me (Jan Stepka). 

We were inspired originally by bands such as the Doors, Cream, the Moody Blues, the Beatles, and Procol Harum. 

We were later heavily influenced by ELP, Yes, King Crimson, and Genesis. Echoes of these styles are found in the Distant Shores recordings. 

The band went through four membership changes. The first incarnation was a trio with drummer Steve White. In 1970 we created and performed an original rock opera entitled “Looking Back.” In 1972 we recorded an untitled demo album featuring the song “Last Day at Lokun.” 

Tom Iacaboni replaced Steve White on drums when Steve White left the band to pursue the guitar. In 1974 Tom, Jan and Roland recorded the world famous (in collectors' circles) Northwind demo album in Roland's family's basement. This album is often erroneously referred to as “Woods of Zandor.” Tom was at heart a jazz drummer, and when he left Northwind, Tim Cahill joined on drums and percussion. For a short period, Bob Pascoe contributed his rock guitar to Northwind's sound.

Northwind performed mostly in clubs at that time and created a reputation in Canada. This period largely had the band playing covers of other rock bands' material. 

In 1977 returning to original music, Roland took over guitars and the band added the talents of Rob Foster on wind instruments. In 1978 we recorded our magnum opus “Distant Shores” in Roland's family's basement in Sterling Heights, Michigan. One song, “Just Yesterday,” was released as part of a local radio station's compilation of Detroit area bands' music entitled “Home Grown.” 

Tim Cahill's religious calling conflicted with his perception of the rock and roll lifestyle leading him to leave secular musical performing. Howard Wells joined the band on drums and percussion for rehearsals while Roland and the band's manager Ron Geddish vainly persued a record contract. These efforts included a trip to California to visit record companies. 

Northwind broke up in 1978 largely because of this failure. In the end, the “Distant Shores” songs were never performed outside of Roland's basement.

Esse grupo lançou somente de forma oficial um único álbum demo chamado ''Woods of Zandor'' em 1974, todos os outros dois trabalhos foram gravados na época em acetato, mas não foram comercializados em disco de vinyl. Todo esse material nunca saiu em versão digital (CD).

O tecladista Jan Stepka além de contar a história da banda, ainda disponibilizou todos os seus trabalhos via site Bandcamp para audição e download gratuito em mp3, Flac, entre outros formatos de arquivo. (Clique em Digital Album, coloque ''0'' em Name Your Price, coloque o seu endereço de email e o seu país de origem, e aperte OK. Na próxima página que abrir escolha o formato que deseja obter o arquivo e faça o download dos três registros). [http://northwindband.com/]

Discografia

Northwind – Last Day At Lokun (1972)

This was recorded at Oakland University on a two track tape, mixed to one track as a demo. There was a limited vinyl pressing. The music here was ripped from an acetate pressing that degrades on every playing and suffers from noise. 

The music still serves to show what Northwind did in the beginning, and the track "Last Day at Lokun" is one of the best Northwind songs written.

Credits:  released January 1, 1972 

Line-up / Musicians

Roland Ernest - Vocals, guitars, composer  / Steve White - Drums and percussion  / Jan Stepka - Keyboards, back vocals

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Northwind - Woods of Zandor (1974)

Recorded in 1974. Known to record collectors (only) as Woods of Zandor. 

I have selected voluntary payment for downloads because bandcamp.com limits the number of free downloads. If you are downloading without payment, please download the whole album, as it counts as a single download against the total. Enjoy!

Credits: released January 1, 1974 

Line-up / Musicians

Roland Ernest - Composer, vocals, guitars, bass / Jan Stepka - Keyboards / Tom Iacaboni - Drums, percussion, cover art  / 

Joseph Dedischew: Sound engineer  / James (Jim) Lee: Lighting

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Northwind – Distant Shores (1978)

Distant Shores is the best work by Northwind. 

The first track The Sentient Man is probably not the easiest entry to Northwind music. It's long and complicated. 

Of the pieces on this album, I recommend listening to Stepping Softly before deciding whether you like Northwind or not. 

Credits: released July 1, 1978 

Line-up / Musicians

Roland Ernest – composer, guitars, keyboards (Just Yesterday), vocals  / Jan Stepka – keyboards /  Rob Foster – winds  / Tim Cahill - drums, percussion, vibes  / Joseph Dedischew – sound 

Special credit to: 

Howard Wells – drums, percussion (after Tim Cahill left)