Formed by Richard Harvey and Brian Gulland (students at the Royal College of Music), Gryphon blended medieval and Renaissance instruments (flute, bassoon, crumhorn, harpsichord) with 1970s progressive rock. Reviews praise their technical skill, distinctive instrumentation and the 1974 album Red Queen to Gryphon Three as a high point. Richard Harvey is noted in reviews as later becoming a soundtrack composer.

Key members mentioned in reviews: Richard Harvey (flute, keyboards), Brian Gulland (bassoon), Graeme Taylor (guitar), David Oberlé (percussion), Philip Nestor (bass), Malcolm Bennett (bass). Noted reissues include the Castle Essential box set collecting early albums.

Gryphon are an English progressive outfit known for blending medieval and Renaissance instruments with 1970s prog-rock. Reviews highlight four key albums (Gryphon, Midnight Mushrumps, Red Queen to Gryphon Three, Raindance). Red Queen to Gryphon Three is frequently cited as their masterpiece; the band is praised for technical skill and historic instrumentation.

For:Progressive rock enthusiasts and listeners curious about medieval/Renaissance instrumentation in rock music.

 It is an undoubtedly ambitious work, formally very admirable; overall, it is a well-constructed piece, without lacking moments of particular charm, but in the long run, it turns out to be verbose, daring, a bit pretentious in its continuous search for juxtapositions between different eras and styles.

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 A band that absolutely must be discovered, an album that deserves to be listened to. 4 stars!

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 You have to listen to it to understand what I'm saying!

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