Ertlif - “Ertlif... Plus” & “Relics From The Past” premiere

Debut album from 1972 by Ertlif, one of the leading Swiss progressive / psychedelic bands from the 1970s. Now expanded to a double set, including a whole extra album of previously unreleased homemade recordings from 1971 plus a rare compilation only track from 1973. UK sounding doomy & atmospheric psychedelic hard-rock and proto-prog sounds with lot of Hammond organ, hard guitar, occasional Mellotron and English vocals.

Ertlif was formed in 1970 by two ex-members of Egg & Bacon, lead guitarist Dany Andrey and bass player Teddy Riedo. They were joined by keyboard player James Mosberger (The Only Ones, The Countdowns), drummer Hanspeter ‘Bölle’ Börlin (The Countdowns) and lead guitarist Martin Ruder: the cream of the Basel music scene from that time. The band name was derived from a mysterious medieval magician and alchemist. They were inspired by Pink Floyd, Yes, Procol Harum, Van Der Graaf Generator and Genesis amongst others. A strong rhythm section and twin lead guitars blended with the Hammond organ created the characteristic Ertlif sound. In August 1971 they were the only Swiss band invited to the “Pop Meeting 71” in Münchenstein, Germany.