1972 Albums

Aphrodite's Child was a Greek singles group that had some success in the UK, but more importantly spawned two of Greece's greatest musical exports, singer Demis Roussos and composer/performer Vangelis. By the time their seminal 666 was released, the beat era and any pop legacy were all behind them. Based on the Apocalypse of St. John, 13/18, the double-album was recorded in Paris over the prior two years. Musically it's all over the map; what Vangelis offers here is something far more psychedelic and progressive, and as wholly conceived a concept as any other record of the era.

Nektar was a group of British ex-patriots that like many during the mid-'60s made a living by working and touring in Europe. Bassist Derek "Mo" Moore, drummer Ron Howden and keyboardist Allan "Taff" Freeman were in a band called Prophesy. By 1969, guitarist and vocalist Roye Albrighton had joined up and the name Nektar was adopted. They made Hamburg, Germany their base and signed to Peter Hauke's Bacillus label.