Illusions on a Double Dimple

If you really like that golden old days of progressive rock from the early-mid 1970s and have a thing about "the man keeping you down," then this album may be for you. Even if you don't feel oppressed, this still might be for you. Triumvirat is musically along the lines of ELP and this album isthematic. I particularly loved "Mr. 10%." I find this album perfect for a slightly melancholy but angrily sullen mood. Just right for 2017, wouldn't you say!?!? You should really get this album. :)

What can I say. I loved this album the first time I heard it forty years ago. I haven't had a listenable copy of it for years. Remembering it fondly, I decided to buy the CD. I still love the album. I'm not angry at all the same things I was as a late teen, but I'm still angry at all the injustice in my country as well as the world. Illusions on a Double Dimple still speaks to me. The CD version sounds much better than my old, old cassette ever did!

The easy way to describe Cologne-based progressive rock trio Triumvirat would be to call them the "German Emerson Lake & Palmer". And with keyboardist Jurgen Fritz's barnstorming Hammond organ fills and Moog solos, drummer Hans Bathelt's complex, flashy rhythms, and bassist/guitarist/vocalist Helmut Kollen's Greg Lake-like vocal stylings, comparison to ELP is inevitable. But the band's much more prominent use of guitars, as well as instruments foreign to ELP's repertoire, such as glockenspiel and string and horn sections, clearly demarcate them from their British counterparts. (Also, Triumvirat are arguably a good deal more tasteful than Emerson Lake & Palmer.)But what really sets Triumvirat apart, both from ELP and from the vast majority of their art rock peers, is their excellent vocal work. Many progressive bands focus primarily on instrumental textures, with vocals tacked on as a mere afterthought. But while Triumvirat remain largely devoted to instrumental prowess, they are also gifted, somewhat uniquely, with an ear for a catchy tune, the upshot of which is that Kollen's and Fritz's (surprisingly authentically) British-sounding voices assume a much more visible role.ILLUSION ON A DOUBLE DIMPLE (1973), the band's second album, consists of two twenty-plus-minute suites, the title track and "Mister Ten Percent". Both contain the multiple movements, shapeshifting time signatures, and technically demanding solos typical of such sidelong epics. But what distinguishes Triumvirat's efforts in the field is their sheer accessibility. Aggressive prog workouts are broken up by more conventional rock segments with great vocals and Beatlesque melodies, making the instrumental showboating in-between not merely bearable, but quite enjoyable, building tension and providing contrast instead of grating on the ear.Progressive rock emerged initially as a chiefly British phenomenon, but continental Europe caught on fairly immediately and embraced the movement perhaps even more than the British themselves did. The two largest and most important continental "progbeds" were to be found in Italy and Germany, and ILLUSIONS ON A DOUBLE DIMPLE marks my first album-length foray into the latter. And I can tell you this at least: my obsession with European prog won't be going away anytime soon.(Incidentally, this remastered edition includes four bonus tracks: two non-LP singles ["Dancer's Delight", "Timothy] and two single-length edits of the album cuts ["Dimplicity", "Million Dollars"] that show off Triumvirat's strengths in more concise form.)

"Illusions On A Double Dimple" is Triumvirat's masterpiece, and the high point of their recording career. The band, formed in Cologne, Germany, in 1971 by Jurgen Fritz (keyboards), Hans Bathelt (drums), and Hans Pape (bass, vocals), had previously released an album, "Mediterranean Tales" in 1972, to mostly poor reviews and lukewarm response by the public. After Pape left the band, they returned to the studio with his replacement Helmut Kollen (guitar, bass, vocals) to spend five months recording "Illusions" with horns, a string quartet and choir. The resulting record, released in March of '74, was a resounding success, earning Triumvirat an audience among prog fans world-wide. As a "concept" album, "Illusions" is breathtaking in scope and ambition, incorporating classical elements, pop balladry, joyous rock riffs and even occasional strains of jazz. Hard-core prog enthusiast will find plenty of dazzling musical interludes, and mainstream rock fans will enjoy the melodic movements encapsulated as conventional songs.Sadly, and perhaps with a grain of truth, Triumvirat never quite shook the mantle of "Poor man's ELP", though the discerning listener will find them far more accessable and less heavy-handed. As well, they came on the scene during the waning days of the prog movement, and were thus forever in the shadow of established acts such as ELP, King Crimson, Yes, Rush, Genesis, and Jethro Tull.They quickly recorded their following album, "Spartacus" (1975), another concept piece, which is itself a masterful work, more confident and assertive than "Illusions", but relying more on synthetic textures and instrumental virtuosity than "Illusions". "Spartacus" was followed by a series of albums "Pompeii" (1977), "A La Carte" (1978) and "Russian Roulette" (1980), each of which contain a few brilliant moments surrounded by mostly mundane attempts to recapture the magic of their previous success.Triumvirat never again caught the lightning in a bottle of "Illusions". They didn't have the radio-frindly songs of Yes or Genesis, the instrumental virtuosity of ELP, the quirky arrangements of King Crimson, or the rock appeal of Tull or Rush. Nonetheless, in "Illusions" they captured perfectly a previously untapped balance of musical styles unheard-of before or since. "Illusions" and "Spartacus" deserve a spot on the top shelf of any prog rock fan. I've waited years for this record to be released on cd, and it's been well worth the wait. The bonus tracks are not up to the quality of the original album, but they're interesting to hear, if only to expound upon the direction the band was attempting to forge. I wish the cd allowed for individual selection of passages rather than album sides, so new listeners could skip to "songs" they enjoy rather than having to fast-forward through instrumental movements they may not appreciate. But when all is said and done, "Illusions On A Double Dimple" is as magnificent as it was when it was first released, and I'm glad to finally have it in my cd player. GET THIS RECORD NOW!

An album which came back to my life after several decades. And what an album this is! Truly one of these not so famous prog masterpieces every prog fan should own. The band is so good it just makes you wonder why an earth Jürgen Fritz (keyboards), Hans Bathelt (drums) and Helmut Köllen on bass are not as famous as The Nice or ELP.Whole album is full of good melodies and top rated playing. Do yourself a favour and buy this album. You wont regret it!

I have seen this band live. The mighty Grand Funk`s special guests 1975 wembley empire pool, now called Arena, The two acts were incredible and so very different I knew that on my return home I will order a LP by Triumvirat from my local record store. Suprise it is in the rack! Well what are they ,who do they sound like ,where are they from? A three piece German early 70`s ELP/Manfred mann`s earthband progressive rock group minus electric leadguitar!. Jurgen Fritz keyboards, Helmut Kollen Bass and guitar, drums Hans Bathelt. Illusions on a double dimple got into the US top 40 this band were on the up touring worldwide. A concept album mainly about a drunk who drinks Dimple (scotch) getting sacked numb memories from school, this is almost ELP`s Tarkus only with fewer technical fireworks more classical constructions better songs with lyrics and not a pursian rug insight! A wonderfull 2nd album indeed

It's just Beautiful. I love it. First heard it when I was 15 yrs old. I never thought I would or could hear it again. Times and Music has greatly changed. But when you figure this came out during the Beatles, Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, Def Lepoard, Lynnard Skynerd, April Wine, Neil Young, Cat Stevens, Nazareth, Yes, Rush, Jethro Tell, Neil Diamond, Strawbs, Mike Midfield, Genesis ( with Peter Gabriel Not Phil Collins) , Chicago, Santana, CCR, Rod Stewart, Joni Mitchell, Janis Joplin, Jimmi Hendrix, Bob Dillon, Etc. I swear the truly best music came out in the 50, 60 and 70 Eras. Everything else is imitation and 'not quite getting it'. Ya there was Rap back then. But it was Way more 'interesting' like musical and profound.Anyway I never thought I would find this album. Tying up loose ends. It's a peach and glad I am bitting into it. Pioneer for Electronica. Triumverite didn't have a single guitar. It was all drums and keyboards. Back then in 1975. Yeah. Amazing Sound.

En cuanto al producto la verdad es que todo bien.Si te gusta la banda y este disco pues no hay nada más que decir más que llega bien, y todo en buen estado.Lo que incluye creo que está muy bien y no esperaba menos.Si no conoces a la banda pues escuchala mejor primero en internet y si te gusta y quieres apoyar al artista pues aquí está disponible para la venta.No hay mucho que decir creo que los discos ya son artículos de colección y solo lo recomiendo a quien le guste lo "old school" y quieran apotyar un poco a la banda.

Their 2nd and a great album by this underrated German band. Sadly always reviewed as an ELP ripoff band, they were far better than that. This is the first album to get their sound right. Great instrumentals and great vocals. Yes a bit like ELP but also YES/Rick Wakeman, the Dutch band Finch/Moody Blues and a hint of instrumental Jethro Tull (circa Thick and Passion Play). Basically a product of a forgotten time when music tried to be something other than air filler. If you love 70's prog rock then hit this band.