The long-awaited first-ever vinyl edition of Pre self-titled album finally allows this cult Progressive Rock work to reclaim its rightful place within the historical narrative of early 1970s American Prog. Recorded in 1973 yet officially released only decades later, the album has long existed in a liminal space between lost artifact and underground classic. This PQR Disques reissue, released on January 16, 2026 is therefore not merely a format upgrade, but a carefully curated act of restoration, bringing renewed focus to a record whose musical depth and compositional ambition fully justify its legendary status. The listening experience opens with the epic “Ascetic Eros / Hymn Of Transfiguration,” an eleven-minute suite that immediately immerses the listener in the refined Progressive Rock language of its era. Elaborate keyboard and guitar interplay forms the backbone of the composition, supported by a solid yet highly articulated rhythm section marked by frequent tempo shifts and a prominent, driving bass presence. The melodic, high-register vocal lines blend seamlessly with extended instrumental passages, highlighting both the compositional sophistication and the technical prowess of the band. Symphonic openings and complex developments unfold organically, drawing the listener into a dense and immersive sonic architecture that defines the album’s identity from its very first moments. “Firmer Hand” follows with a more melodic and introspective opening, built around a warm and expressive vocal delivery. The track gradually evolves into a powerful Progressive Rock crescendo, where keyboards take center stage through an extended Hammond organ solo that is both vibrant and emotionally charged. A relentless bassline and a dynamic, meticulously constructed drumming performance provide a solid foundation, allowing the piece to expand naturally across its nine-minute duration. The result is another standout track, slightly rawer in texture yet rich in prolonged solo exchanges between guitar and keyboards, transporting the listener through shifting moods and intensities. A marked rhythmic transition introduces a marching drum pattern, before the piece returns to a dense instrumental section dominated by organ work and refined guitar accents, culminating in a compelling vocal finale. Serving as a moment of respite between the album’s more expansive compositions, “Bowing Down” opens with delicate string arrangements before unfolding into a dreamlike acoustic passage shaped by gentle guitar arpeggios. This three-minute interlude offers a refined and enveloping atmosphere, allowing the album to breathe while maintaining a strong Symphonic sensibility, albeit expressed through a more intimate and restrained framework. A similar balance between delicacy and emotional depth defines “Child Of Sorrow,” a track steeped in pathos and melodic intensity. Here, Symphonic Progressive Rock elements intertwine with subtle folk nuances, driven by evocative acoustic guitar work and carefully layered orchestral textures. The vocal performance integrates naturally into the arrangement, reinforcing the track’s introspective tone and adding a further dimension to the album’s expressive range. The album reaches its conceptual and compositional apex with “Ballet For A Blind Man,” a nineteen-minute suite divided into three movements. This extended piece encapsulates the full spectrum of the band’s stylistic vocabulary, returning to the elaborate and Symphonic Progressive Rock structures that define the album’s longest compositions. Vocal sections alternate between intimate solo passages and broader choral moments, seamlessly interwoven with dynamic instrumental developments. Experimental segments, frequent tempo changes, and technically demanding passages are executed with remarkable cohesion, resulting in a dense yet engaging soundscape that never loses its sense of direction. The interplay between guitar and keyboards is particularly compelling, supported by a rhythm section that shifts effortlessly between intricate patterns and expansive Symphonic openings. This suite stands as a definitive statement of the band’s artistic vision, fully showcasing their compositional ambition and instrumental mastery, and rightfully earning its status as a cornerstone of the album. Due to the physical constraints of the vinyl format, the tracks that originally opened the CD edition are included here as downloadable bonus material. Among them, “Who’s Laughing Now” emphasizes a deeply expressive vocal performance set against a dreamlike, melancholic acoustic backdrop. Its restrained arrangement highlights yet another facet of the band’s refined songwriting approach. “Water Meeting” leans more decisively into Progressive Rock territory, featuring rich keyboard textures, intricate guitar inserts, and an elaborate rhythm section characterized by continuous tempo changes and complex instrumental interweaving. Finally, “Path,” originally conceived as the album’s introductory piece, closes the listening experience with a brief yet evocative blend of acoustic guitar arpeggios and experimental keyboard textures. This first-ever vinyl edition of “Pre” offers long-time devotees and new listeners alike the opportunity to rediscover one of the most refined and overlooked gems of early American Symphonic Progressive Rock. Although recorded in the early 1970s, the album remained unreleased at the time, only resurfacing on CD in the early 1990s. PQR Disques’ edition, as meticulously curated as the label’s releases consistently are, presents the album in a thoughtfully restructured LP sequence designed to preserve both sonic balance and artistic intent within the constraints of the vinyl format. Rather than merely adapting the CD tracklist, this version distills the essence of the album, allowing its compositional richness and expressive depth to emerge with renewed clarity. The result is a definitive presentation of a long-forgotten masterpiece, finally restored to the format it always deserved.
The release is now available for pre-order via PQRDirect webstore in the following formats:
Vinyl LP (180g, numbered limited editions):
• Black Vinyl
• Trans Purple Vinyl
• Brown On White Splatter Vinyl
CD Edition
• Digipack CD + 8-page Booklet
Tracklist
SIDE A
Ascetic Eros/Hymn Of Transfiguration (11:19)
Firmer Hand (9:05)
Bowing Down (3:37)
SIDE B
Child Of Sorow (3:40)
Ballet For A Blind Man (19:06)
a) Fields Of Darkness
b) Is It You Who’s Caught The Blues?
c) Must Have Been Ten Years
Bonus Tracks:
Who’s Laughing Now (3:33)
Water Meeting (5:28)
Path (1:33)
Lineup
Alfred Collinsworth / Vocals, 12-string Guitar
Larry Collinsworth / Electric 6- and 12-string Guitars
Brian Paulson / Hammond Organ, Electric and Acoustic Pianos, Mini-Moog
Steve DeMoss / Bass, Vibes, Glockenspiel
Dwight Dunlap / Drums, Percussion