PLJ BAND

PLJ Band played a psychedelic-flavored calm Rock with emphasis in the alternating acoustic and electric guitars and the narrative vocals of Maheritsas, although his foreign accent is very apparent in the English lyrics, while the sound of the group was very mellow with limited instrumental passages and lots of atmospheric nuances.Hypnotic bass grooves, traditional tunes played in an electric version and smooth drumming were the basic components of their early material, which was doubled by the discreet acoustic textures.Some jazzy vibes and loose mood is evident in the electric guitars of Maheritsas, but this EP lacks in dynamics and energy.The recording quality is not exciting either, very muddy with a just bearable mix.The last track ''Transmigration'' is all instrumental with evident influences from the British Psychedelic Rock scene, based on a steady groove and some improvised guitar solos.

Musically the value of this rare release is very low.Historically it marks the first steps of an otherwise important group of Greek Psych/Prog.Notice that a same editing was used by Anazitisi Records with ''Gaspar'' eventually being re-released for all those starving to add this one in their collection, but never came across an original copy.

"Intro" opens with the wind blowing as synths, guitar and drums join in. This is pretty trippy stuff. Love the guitar that comes in after 2 1/2 minutes, very psychedelic. The wind is back and check out the guitar after 4 minutes. Nice. Great start. "I See People" is a hair raising song as we can hear spoken vocals and the noise of a crowd. It's like a prophet is preaching on the street or in a market while people mill about. Synths take over when he stops with strummed guitar as the tempo picks up. Spoken words and a calm return after 2 minutes. "Ezekiel" continues that theme only this time we get these monotone female vocals quoting Ezekiel's words that he received from God. These words tell the people that judgment is coming,desolation and destruction will fall upon the land from the hand of God. It ends with "...then you shall know that I am the Lord." This is followed by Post-Rock styled guitar. Cool. The guitar starts to cry out before 3 minutes as the other guitar is strummed. Synths end it.

"Oye" opens with gentle guitar. Spoken vocals 1 1/2 minutes in as the sound gets much fuller. The guitar starts to light it up before 3 minutes with synths in the background. It turns spacey 3 1/2 minutes in as vocals return. "Armegeddon I" and "Armageddon II" are the two longest tracks, each over 7 minutes in length. The first one opens with the sound of water, drums, synths and gentle guitar as Latin spoken words come in. The guitar, synths and vocals become more prominant 4 minutes in. "Armageddon II" is the more energetic of the two. A good beat with strummed guitar to open. Guitar lights up the soundscape after a minute. Nice. Vocals cry out after 3 minutes as the synths dominate the sound. The guitar is lighting it up again after 4 minutes and later at 5 1/2 minutes. Great tune. "The Void" is as the title might suggest an experimental one. "Theme" opens with church bells before gentle guitar and drums come in. Synths are very prominant. "Star Wish" ends the album with some hope as we get an uplifting soundscape with actual singing for the first time. Gentle guitar helps out. Drums, bass and synths come in after a minute.

This is one of those special albums i'm so glad to have in my collection. It's one of a kind really.