Suite (Omega, 1974)

Useless to say, Omega are the most known and successful Hungarian prog band ever. Their 1974 "Suite" (or "Szvyt", in their own language) from the album "200 Years after The Last War" is probably the most traditionally prog composition of Omega. Nonetheless, it is a very original mix of moods and styles and a beautiful example of eclectic use of keyboards. You'll find two key players raging on Hammond, Mellotron and Moog and a very good, constant interplay between them and the guitars. Drumming is essential but very effective, so that all the suite's sections sound fresh and natural, with a bit of everything inside.

In this period, Omega used to release their albums

both in Hungarian and English versions.

Free jazz, heavy rock, space rock, atmospheric melodies, electronics and even a pinch of American slide guitars! A pretty mess, no doubt, but János Kobor's voice and the special touch the band has when lining up acid and sweet passages provide the coherence and the unity the track needed. The '70s in all their variety and splendour, I daresay.

Gyöngyhajú lány (Omega, 1969)

In the wide and never enough explored proto-progressive galaxy, this song deserves a special place. Firstly, it's an East Europe band's track, not as usual a location as it is today for a prog rock group. Secondly, this was a huge success both in its original language and in translated or cover versions. Omega is a real monument in Hungarian rock history and this song comes from their second album, called "10000 lépés" (in English, "10000 steps"). The song title means "The girl with pearly hair" and it's a long, slow ballad with a slightly synphonic arrangement, soft keyboards and a psychedelic electric guitar and a very good vocal performance, featuring strong volume variations.

 

The original "10000 lépés" artwork.

 

The catchy chorus has an inusual strenght and a gypsy taste. I highly recommend the album version, including a short but good instrumental interlude and some more choral variations of the main tune. This song proves how the musical and cultural background of the late '60s, that was soon to give birth to prog rock, was widespread and not only in the Western countries.