Subject Esq. - Subject Esq. FLAC download

found myself a non-gatefold copy of this.. is there any reason to believe this isnt a bootleg?

Although a lesser known album of the Krautrock era, I'm not surprised Ohrwaschl took the initiative to reissue this. After all there was a connection with the superb Out Of Focus (whom Ohrwaschl have been especially partial to in their reissue programme), and also Subject Esq did later transmute into the internationally known and collectable Sahara (whose albums both got released in the USA, and their classic SUNRISE was released in the UK on Dawn). But what is surprising is the length of this CD - yes, there's bonus material here! 29 minutes worth of live recordings recorded shortly before the LP. So, compared to many such reissues, this is actually pretty good value.So, what were Subject Esq like? Well, their style was very complex blending rock fusion in the manner of early Colosseum, Alquin, Thirsty Moon, Out Of Focus, et al, with distinctly keyboard progressive sounds like Camel, Jody Grind, blended with jazz-rock, folk and blues elements, sometimes bordering on the Canterbury type sound and then at other times the vocal harmonies even recall the Moody Blues. Yet, somehow amidst this seeming hotchpotch of styles that juxtapose and blend, there's a distinctive Subject Esq sound that comes through. Fans of Sahara will instantly recognise the rhythmic structures, song styling and distinctive compositional complexities. What may surprise is such complex music being carried off with such energy, so many solos, changes, lengthy instrumentals, and such great songs too!Now, after such a classic album as this, could one want more? Well, even though the live material included is of variable quality, the two "songs" presented offer an insight into how their sound developed, and what they were like in a more improvisatory live situation. Okay, someone pisses about with the echo machine a couple of times which is a bit annoying, but apart from that it's a superb document for progressive rock fans to relish. From my review in Audion #21, published in May 1992

This is the original German vinyl pressing in gatefold cover. Cat. number shows distribution by CBS.