Kansas (1974) Apercu

 On their 1974 debut, this rare American Prog band debuted a violin and organ drenched boogie rock sound filled with mythological and nautical imagery with soaring vocals and symphonic grandeur. This wholesome sextet of young Mid-westerners would mix ascending and descending scales with chugging rock n roll, this included plenty of harmonising instruments in movements and suites from classical music with RnB rhythms and martian sounding synthesizers in a pretty unique package that could've only found success in the 70s.

 Apercu is the best overall example of this style that established them as an American 'Yes', though low on commercial accessibility the instrumental side of things is just jaw dropping; the crystal clear violin cuts through the dense sound. Though lacking in the lyrical department as opposed to the conceptual themes of Pink Floyd, the use of synth and violins playing together is enough to make this an interesting entrance into the bustling Prog scene of the early 70s. Their songwriting would soon improve from the half-hearted attempt at a radio single Can I Tell You, finding a neat balance between their pop and rock n roll sensibilities and the grandness of their proggier sound on later albums in the mid 70s.