Haze were a short-lived Progressive Rock band from Biel/Bienne, Switzerland, formed in 1969 around vocalist Christian Scherler, guitarist Heinz Schwab, Hans-Jürg Frei on organ and guitar, bassist Dietmar Löw and drummer Kurt Frei. After developing their sound through local performances, the group came to the attention of German producer Peter Hauke and the bacillus label.
In April 1971, Haze travelled to Cologne-Stommeln to record their only album, “Hazecolor-Dia,” at the Dierks Studios. Produced by Peter Hauke and engineered by Dieter Dierks, the five-track album combines Heavy guitar-driven Rock with Progressive arrangements, organ, occasional flute and Psychedelic touches.
The music moves between Heavy Blues-based passages, extended instrumental sections and more exploratory Progressive structures. Heinz Schwab‘s lead guitar and Hans-Jürg Frei‘s organ provide much of the album’s instrumental character, while Christian Scherler‘s distinctive and highly individual vocal style gives the recordings an unusual edge. Tracks such as “Fast Career” and the ten-minute “Decision” demonstrate the band’s preference for extended arrangements rather than straightforward hard-rock structures.
“Hazecolor-Dia” was released by bacillus records in 1971. The album was presented in one of the label’s most unusual sleeves: an LP-sized die-cut frame containing a mounted colour slide (Dia). The cover was designed by Walter Seyffer, with photography by Nick Jarvis.
Although Haze recorded no further albums, “Hazecolor-Dia” documents an early Swiss contribution to the Progressive and Psychedelic Hard-Rock current that was emerging around the beginning of the 1970s. Within the early bacillus catalogue, it stands alongside releases by Epsilon, Hairy Chapter, Nine Days’ Wonder, and My Solid Ground as part of the label’s initial series of adventurous German-language-market Rock productions.
This release is part of the bacillus records archive on Bandcamp.
Purchase “Hazecolor-Dia” on Bandcamp: https://bacillusrecords.bandcamp.com/album/hazecolor-dia-1971
Tracklist:
01. Peaceful Nonsense 07:18
02. Fast Career 08:35
03. Be Yourself 06:26
04. A Way to Find the Paradise 06:58
05. Decision 10:14
Lineup:
Christian Scherler / Vocals
Heinz Schwab / Lead Guitar
Hans-Jürg Frei / Organ, Guitar
Dietmar Löw / Bass, Written By
Kurt Frei / Drums
Credits:
Produced by Peter Hauke
Engineered by Dieter Dierks
Arranged in conjunction with Popo Music Management GmbH
Cover design – Walter Seyffer
Photography – Nick Jarvis
Recorded April 1971 at Dierks Studios, Cologne-Stommeln, Germany.
Originally released 1971 on bacillus records, 6494 007.
Reissued as bacillus BLPS 19075.