The Dregs – Unsung Heroes (1981) [Original US Pressing] {Vinyl Rip 24Bit/96khz}

The Dregs – Unsung Heroes
Vinyl | LP Cover (1:1) | FLAC + cue | 24bit/96kHz | 813mb
Mastered At Sterling Sound
Label: Arista/AL 9548 | Release: 1981 | Genre: Progressive-Fusion

In the early ’80s the blight of commercialitis had severely degraded the quality of progressive music being created. There are still many gems from that era. Unsung Heroes isn’t necessarily one of them yet a fine, and imperfect album all the same. The Dregs dropped the “Dixie” from their name in an attempt to reach a broader audience. I wonder how many of you out there haven’t checked this band out because of the “Dixie”? This was the first of two albums in that direction and under “The Dregs” band name, which was what we all around here referred to them as anyway. It unfortunately didn’t work as well as they’d hoped and after the second album as “The Dregs”, everyone moved on to other projects. (The original violinist Alan Sloane moved on after Unsung Heroes. )
Cruise Control kicks off the album and is probably the worst piece on the album, not to say it’s actually a bad piece of music, it’s just that the live versions are far superior. And as the song was mostly a vehicle for improvisation, it was just sad to see it reduced to this way too short piece for the sake of trying to get some airplay. Fer shame, fer shame. The older version on the album Freefall beats this version but also pales in comparison to any live version I’ve experienced.
Divided We Stand sees them back in finer form. This is what the Dregs were all about. It’s just progressive fusion, jazzy/rocky/a little bluegrassy/complexy, well, you’ll just have to hear it to appreciate it (dancing about architecture and what not.).
I’ll Just Pick has even a stronger bluegrass flavor to it. Trust me, this is bluegrass even a die hard prog zombie pod person could like. I know, I was one when I went nutzo for the Dregs.
Day 444 is a nice slow long piece dedicated to the release of the American embassy hostages from Iran. Post Rock fans should really dig this.
Rock and Roll Park another attempt at an instrumental AOR friendly hit. But dang it, just way too progressive to be successful. We’re talking 1981 here. Ok maybe it was just the title trying to sound AOR friendly rather than the music.
Attila the Hun is hard to really classify. High energy prog? Speed prog? Complexo prog? A fun little musical ride, for sure, Mr. Morse can really play rings around every guitarist out there, seriously.
Kat Food not to be confused as a cover for Crimson’s Cat Food, this one’s actually a much better song. A little funky/bluesy, I suppose. Killer complex musicianship again.
In Go for Baroque, the Dregs really did go for an excellent piece in the classical style, really not anything like the classical style pieces they did in the past, it could just about get a classical snob to appreciate prog.
Had to get the CD as a Japanese import. (I’m greatful for all the great import prog available only from Japan!) Really glad to have it back in my collection available to play after a hiatus due to the whole LP Cassette CD transitioning thing.

Review by Slartibartfast, progarchives.com


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The Dregs – Industry Standard (1982) [Original US Promo Pressing] {Vinyl Rip 24Bit/96khz}

The Dregs – Industry Standard
Vinyl | LP Cover (1:1) | FLAC + cue | 24bit/96kHz | 793mb
Mastered At Sterling Sound By George Marino
Label: Arista/AL AL 9588 | Release: 1982 | Genre: Progressive-Fusion

4.5 stars for this one, really. Almost a masterpiece, but definitely a classic. Some fans might be put off with the vocals of Patrick Simmons(Doobie Brothers) or Alex Ligertwood(Brian Auger/Santana), but if you like them like I do, you’re in for a treat. Not much to add here other than it’s very similar to their masterpiece _What If_(check my review) with a few vocal tracks. Apparently they were looking for a more commercial audience(probably the record label). Nothing really commercial here other than _Turn It Up_, but there’s enough instrumental chops to save it from the dumpster. Great song! _Industry Standard_ is the 2nd album one should purchase along with DREGS OF THE EARTH. Either one would be a great for your collection.

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