In This Puzzled Roundabout (Arlekin, 2014)

Ok, ok... I can hear some of you saying this is just another Fish-era Marillion clone. But, you see, it happens I like Fish-era Marillion and it also happens this Ukrainian band has a rather original approach to neo-prog, a darker mood and a well balanced sound. Igor Sidorenko is the man behind Arlekin (that's actually a one-man band) and he's got a long, successful experience when it comes to prog rock (Stoned Jesus are the best known band he played in). That's why he knows how to build up a 15 minute epic skipping boredom and mannerism.

The making of this album was rather long, starting in 2008.

"In This Puzzled Roundabout", taken from the album "Disguise Serenades", includes most of my favourite elements: rythm and mood changes, powerful and sensitive vocals, well found and well performed instrumental parts and - most of all - beautiful melodies. Surre, you'll find here many musical solutions coming from British (and Polish) neo-prog bands, but the track is nonetheless an enjoyable and original one, adding to the usual ingredients a fully homemade mixed spice tablespoon. Just get into this puzzled world...

Rondo (The Nice, 1967)

"Rondo" is one of the most celebrated tracks from "The Thoughts of Emerlist Davjack", the debut album by The Nice. Packed with jazz and classical quotes (Dave Brubeck is credited as one of the authors, Bach is still waiting...), "Rondo" will go into many variations during The Nice's and Emerson's career and also is one of the earliest prog pearls ever. The devilish rythm of this instrumental actually fits into lavish rock shows and the foursome performance surely was a riveting one.

The guys were K. Emerson, L. Jackson, D. O' List & B. Davison.

In short... Emerlist Davjack!

 

What should I choose as my favourite highlights? The guitar solo? Emerson's Hammond? The rythmic cavalcade? The coherent and colourful architecture? Or maybe the short church organ tribute to JSB? That's an impossible choice, IMHO: one has to take it or leave it as it is. I take it, and I'm sure I'm not the only one.

Soil Festivities (Vangelis, 1984)

Ευάγγελος Οδυσσέας Παπαθανασίου is so well known and appreciated worldwide that he doesn't need a proper presentation here. His original soundtracks are likely to be the highlights of his career, but this Greek multi-instrumentalist and composer has a highly diversified career, including more unpredictable and experimental albums. This is the case with "Soil Festivities", featuring a sole track, divided into five movements.

 

"Soil Festivities" was the 19th studio solo work by Vangelis.

We're mid-way between ambient and electronic prog, with symphonic parts (especially the last movement), relaxing themes and even krautrock echoes. The pulsating synths, the real life effects and the rapid, beating sounds describe the invisible and frantic life of the tiny inhabitants of the soil during a rainy day. It's something completely different from the airy melodies of Vangelis' most famous tracks, but it's also an intriguing, inner exploration into the fresh earth and the darkest corners of human souls.

L'Ultima Ora e Ode a J. Hendrix (The Trip, 1971)

The Trip were (better: are, as they came back in 2010) one of the most intriguing Italian prog rock bands and released a pair of excellent albums, one of which was titled "Caronte", that's to say Charon, the ferryman that in Greek mythology carries the newly deceased's souls across the rivers dividing the world of the living and the other world. The title of this song includes anothere reference to death, as "L'ultima ora" means "The Last Hour", while the rest of the song title obviously pays tribute to Jimi Hendrix. 

 

"Caronte" was the second studio album by The Trip.

This epic has a strong classical taste, but also features soul elements and quotes some Jimi's passages. That said, the plot of this song is well organized and highly diversified, lining up dark atmospheres, guitar solos and lively interplays. The melodies are very well written and the arrangements provide the final touch. A church organ closes it all... and it surely matches with the theme!

Tombeau de Cherdak (Olive Mess, 2008)

This band from Latvia knows how to set up experimental and intrivated tracks that also have the power to capture the listener's attention, mixing tricky embroideries and charming moods, in the wake of King Crimson, but with an original and interesting approach. "Tombeau de Cherdak" also reminds me of Magma, especially when the vocals come in, but the acoustic guitar touches create a brand new atmosphere, adding some Medieval atmospheres I like very much. 

"Cherdak" was the second studio album by Olive Mess.

So, this is a highly diversified track, ranging from dissonant or free-jazz parts to sweet, fully traditional melodies and from intellectual solutions to moving sketches. The whole "Cherdak" album is packed with unpredictable changes and riveting passages, but I think this song is a very good way to get started with Olive Mess. By the way, the band is named after the French composer Olivier Messiaen. Not for the masses, but...

Long Goodbyes (Camel, 1984)

This song comes from the album "Stationary Traveller", released in 1984 and actually features one of the most beautiful melodies I've ever listened to in a Camel track. More than this, the 12 string guitar leading the verse and the melancholy  keyboards accompanying the chorus are heartbreaking IMHO. Of course, an electric guitar solo finishes this composition with all Mr. Latimer's well known charms.

This track was  a 7" single in Germany b/w "Waltzing Frauleins".

 

The traditional song scheme is perfectly exploited by its authors Latimer and Hoover, and the listener is surrounded by sweet and warm moods, delighted by sensible volume changes, intrigued by the Berlin Wall-themed lyrics, finally pampered with all the familiar and awaited sounds. Strange, even incredible, but that's all I need when I put a Camel record into my playlist.

Посещение / The Visit (7 Ocean, 2008)

Among the many keyboard-oriented bands from Eastern Europe, 7 Ocean surely deserve our attention. Coming from Belarus, these musicians were already active during the '80s, then came back and started a proper discography in 2008. Their first album, called "Таинственная раса странных существ" (or "The Mysterious Race of Strange Entities") starts with this track, a very diversified and theatrically sung one, where leader and keyboardist Alexander Eletsky shows all his talents.

"7 Ocean" are also known as "Seventh Ocean".

I like the tempo changes, the mellow themes and the old fashioned moods they display during this epic. Nothing really new, maybe, especially if you listened to some Eloy albums, but all 7 Ocean do is well found, well performed and even better set up. They probably couldn't afford a first rate production, still their music has a peculiar pathos and a recognizable trademark. That's why I put this song here, hoping some will like it the way I do.