Carsten Pieper
When this prog-fusion-rio-chamber institution recorded (and self-produced) their 1986 debut they sounded like nobody else at the time (afaik). Nods to classic prog rock are there, for sure, but with a lighter touch than the forbearers. Mostly instrumental and hard to categorize, which is always good, I'd say. Versatile arrangements, good melodies, lots of stylistic variations.
Many thanks to the wonderful Cuneiform Records for re-releasing this in 1998 and offering as a weekend special (now)!
Favorite track: Les Passants [The Stowaway].