THE FANTASIA
YEARS
Extremely rare Finnish prog album from 1975. First time
in CD-format.
You can order this record abroad from Record
Shop X >
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FANTASIA 1973-1979/2011.... |
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-72 / 73 St. Marcus blues band
music turned more experimental. The new music
style, progressive rock, became popular in the
seventies. Bands like Genesis, Yes,
Mahavishnu Orchestra were big
fluences, and the name was changed to a more
suitable name: Fantasia.
This band won the Finnish rock championship 1974
and got a lot of publicity and gigs. A record deal
with Hi-hat was also a part of the victory. As the popularity of progmusic faded at the end of the seventies, and as Hi-hat records was not willing to make a new record, the frustration in the band led to another crew change.
In 1976 the band made a small Russian tour (Leningrad - Riga - Moscow), and was after the tour joined by a fifth member; keyboard player Mikko Laine. Roul Helantie could concentrate more on the electric violin and ARP syntheziser. Shortly after this, drummer Karl-Erik Rönngård, keyboardplayers Paavo Osola and Mikko Laine left the band. New members were; drummer Thomas Lindström, guitar player Timo Hautamäki and keyboard player Ronnie Ehrs.
The bands sole record "Fantasia" became a rare collectable. It was worth between 100€ and 200€, depending of the shape. Despite the demand Warner music, owner of the rights, didn't take intrest in a re-release. But Rocket Records negotiated with Warner music and the CD was remastered and re-released in the summer 2010. The reissue has already been sold more than the original LP, or in other words, over 2000 examples. It has been sold not only in Finland, but also in the other Northern countries, Japan and USA. Due to the great sales numbers Warner music also got intrested of Fantasia, and in the early 2011 the original LP was reissued. "Not bad for a 35 year old progdisc". The lower limit for a "gold disc" in Finland is as a comparison 10 000 sold CDs. FANTASIA made a reunion concert at the Jakobs Dagar festival 21.7.2011 in Jakobstad. The group contained of members from the seventies , and some new upcomers. Drums/Percussion: Karl-Erik Rönngård , Thomas Lindström Bas: Hannu Pirttimaa , Markku Lönngren Keyboards: Ronnie Ehrs , Simo Vasanoja Violin: Johanna Lönngren Guitar: Göran Fellman Guitar & vocal : Hannu Lindblom At the concert we heard music from the ”Fantasia” record and some unpublished material. in the beginning of 2012. When St.Marcus Bluesband released "Beyond Dreams" cd in 2013 Fantasia project took a break. Fantasia did one gig on march 2015. Autumn 2015 replaced Sven Wannäs Simo Vasanoja on keyboards and in the beginning of 2016 started recording sessions of new material again In may 2016 Mellotron Records released Fantasia LP (from 1975)in Italy ( https://www.facebook.com/MellotronRecordslpcd/ ) More news on our fb-site https://www.facebook.com/Fantasia1975
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Quite
soon, because of musical disagreements, there was
a configuration change, and in the end of 1973,
the new band was born:
Bassplayer Harri Piha
joined the army, and like many others in this time
period, he moved to Sweden, searching "for bigger
events”. 
The
last (?!) lineup from 1979
also contained some new members:
