Record Reviews
12 Reviews Found. Use search to find more reviews or follow the links in the review text.
  | ISTVAN CZIGLAN ~ SEVEN GATES OF ALHAMBRA
PERIFERIC 044 (Barcode: 5998272703000) ~ HUNGARY ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1997 Released: 2001
SolarisFind albums by this artist guitarist Istvan CziglanFind albums by this artist worked on this solo album for some time, but unfortunately it was not released at the time of his tragic death. Released posthumously with the cooperation of other Solaris members, this is a beautiful album, full of great tunes and of course excellent guitar playing. Something that deserves to be played over and over, and never gets boring.
| | | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | ERGO SUM ~ ERGO SUM
ROCK SYMPHONY 042 (Barcode: 7898217280420) ~ CHILE ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1997 - 2001 Released: 2001
1st album by the great Chilean Prog group Ergo SumFind albums by this artist. On this album the band continues the legacy of the so-called first generation of South American Prog, modeled after European groups of the early 1970s (mostly UK and Italian ones). At first the group sounds very much like an instrumental version of Jethro TullFind albums by this artist or the Hungarian group SolarisFind albums by this artist, mostly due to the fact that the flute is the leading solo instrument. The folksy JT approach is also present, changing only when the heavy lead guitar licks take the stage occasionally. The music is excellent all the way with constantly changing rhythmic patterns and imaginative melodies. Both main soloists (flute and guitar) play some blistering solos and the rhythm section provides an excellent backing. The percussion player adds some nice touches using exotic percussion instruments. All in all an excellent Prog album, perhaps not very innovative (their next release will be much more daring), but perfect in every sense. Considering how good this stuff is, it’s not wonder that the second generation of Chilean Prog bands (TryoFind albums by this artist, Akinetón RetardFind albums by this artist) were to conquer the top of the Prog scene. This is a reissue of the original LP, with 2 added tracks recorded especially for this CD edition. Highly recommended!
| | | CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | ATTILA KOLLAR ~ MUSICAL WITCHCRAFT III – PSALMS & SOUNDTRACK
PERIFERIC 175 (Barcode: 5998272707169) ~ HUNGARY ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 2006 Released: 2006
This is the 3rd album by ex-SolarisFind albums by this artist flautist / composer Attila KollarFind albums by this artist with his Musical WitchcraftFind albums by this artist ensemble. The album presents an extended suite, which gives the album its title, and some other studio pieces, as well as a selection of live material, all brilliantly executed by these great Hungarian musicians, who mix Prog with early Classical / Medieval music. The music is almost entirely acoustic and is simply charming all the way through. People who are familiar with Kollar´s previous recordings need no introduction, those who don´t – it´s time to try this stuff out!
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | SOLARIS ~ 1990
GONG 37310/11 ~ HUNGARY ~ Progressive Rock
After a few years of silence following their brilliant `Martian Chronicles` album, Solaris returned with another stunning work in 1990 - a double album full of great tunes and perfect performances. Several stylistic tendencies cover basically the entire range of Prog, from hard edged rock to almost classical music. This albums is considered by many Prog lovers as one of the ultimate Prog albums of all times.
| | | CD 2 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | SOLARIS ~ BACK TO THE ROOTS (ARCHIVE 1)
PERIFERIC 059 (Barcode: 5998272703574) ~ HUNGARY ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1980 Released: 2000
A collection of early material by the great Hungarian Prog group SolarisFind albums by this artist, which was all previously unreleased. Includes live and studio tracks and is as good as you might expect from this group.
| | Updated: 29/01/2019Posted: | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | SOLARIS ~ LIVE IN LOS ANGELES
SMP 004/5 ~ HUNGARY ~ Progressive Rock
A 2CD live set by this group, considered as one of the best live albums around. Very dynamic with extended treatment of older material and new contents. Great soloing by all the band members, including of course the fabulous flute. Now remastered with bonus tracks.
| | | CD 2 Recommend To A Friend |
  | SOLARIS ~ NOAB (ARCHIVE 2)
PERIFERIC 154 (Barcode: 5998272706353) ~ HUNGARY ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1980 Released: 2005
This is the second installment of archive series by the Hungarian Prog ensemble SolarisFind albums by this artist, presenting the early recordings by the group, which were never previously released. The material is similar to what the Solaris fans already know, including the 22 minutes long suite, which gives the album its title. Long expanded improvisations, great guitar and flute solos – in short heaven for Prog fans. Sound quality is not what one might desire, but the quality of the music overcomes all technicalities easily.
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | SOLARIS ~ NOSTRADAMUS:BOOK OF PROPHECIES
PERIFERIC 025 (Barcode: 5998272702225) ~ HUNGARY ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1999 Released: 1999
A concept album by the extraordinary Hungarian Prog group SolarisFind albums by this artist. Very mystical, as the title suggests, with brilliant playing and enchanted atmosphere. Great flute and guitar solos throughout and rich instrumentation, including a large choir. Some Latin lyrics, but the albums is mostly instrumental. Truly phenomenal!
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | SOLARIS ~ SOLARIS
NOT ON LABEL (Barcode: 190317000531) ~ POLAND ~ Avant-Garde Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 2023 Released: 2023
This is the debut album by Polish Jazz quartet SolarisFind albums by this artist, comprising of guitarist Michal StarkiewiczFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Tomasz LicakFind albums by this artist, bassist Ksawery WojcinskiFind albums by this artist and Chilean drummer Luis Mora MatusFind albums by this artist. The album, recorded live, presents six tracks, all original compositions by Starkiewicz. As the quartet’s name and album’s title suggest, the music is inspired by the writings of Polish author Stanislaw LemFind albums by this artist.
The music is a kind of Jazz-Rock Fusion, somewhere between Heavy Metal and Free Jazz, with strong rhythmic patterns and advanced improvisations by the saxophone and guitar, somehow reminiscent of the two albums Starkiewicz and Licak recorded together as partners in the Beat FreaksFind albums by this artist quartet a few years ago, but way less restrained and Free oriented, probably due to the presence of Wojcinski and Matus, who hail from the Improvised Music circles.
The music develops gradually from relatively well-organized intros and builds up towards tense crescendos, which gives all the musicians plenty of opportunity to show their individual chops and develop an ensemble statement. It has an industrial tinge to it, which obviously is intentional, as stated on the album’s booklet.
Overall, this is quite original, and certainly rare musical statement on the local Jazz scene, which offers a unique approach to improvisation and creation of sound, which might feel quite alien at first, but certainly is highly absorbing and surprising. Listeners looking for new forms of expression within the widely treated Jazz domain, will probably enjoy this music immensely, despite the fact that it is somewhat an acquired taste, which sounds better and better with each listening attempt. Ambitious and unusual enough to be respected!
| | Updated: 20/12/2023Posted: 20/12/2023 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
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