KONVERGENCIE

The peak of classical Collegium Musicum era. The band sounds more original than on their debut album, compositional skills are improved but there is enough space for the loose jam feel. Hammel from the previous tenur with Prudy joins and his skilled voice fits here well. In comparison to other keyboard based bands, Collegium Musicum is less virtuoso related and contains some lengthy experimental keyboard sections which are an acquired taste and diminish the almost 5 star rating. Let's also mention the improved guitar playing, this time with the young guitar legend Frantisek Griglak.

Among quite unique moments belong children choir sung in Slovak in PF 1972, the final majestic organ chord sequence in the experimental "Eufonia".

For most listeners, the biggest highlight will be the melodic "Piesne z kolovratku" which in its 18 minutes contains more ideas than some entire progressive albums. It is a tour-de-force of accessible pop-prog-rock. It contains an excellent instrumental start for the first two minutes. The combination of soaring guitar and Hammond is irresistible. Hammel's voice is full of hope and emotions as the more pop+classic section starts. Elegant piano keeps the music flowing. After a non-essential drum solo, we have an acoustic piece with mandolina and tambourine then an electric guitar comes into play - another inventive part. An upbeat rocking passage follows before a bit avantgarde Hammond sounds start. A few changes happen - seems like a completely new song with a Mediterranean feel suddenly cut by pipe organ and a very pompous chord sequence that alternates between classical and avantgarde music. The choral is competitive to any ELP chorals with pipe organ. It's a very haunting piece with soothing voice. The pipe organ could have been more melodic and after several listens, you start to appreciate Vargas wizardry on pipe organ. Giving it a purely baroque feel would have been too conventional for him!

PF 1972 is the track most related to the stereotypical progressive rock with multiple sections, instrumental jams - bluesy guitar and versatile Hammond. The music sounds majestic, a bit raw and classically influenced.

"Suita po tisíc a jednej noci" is a live recording of Hammond, guitar, bass and guitar with a couple of memorable motives particularly by Hammond. Guitar playing is convincing and strong, too but the bass guitar is very much alive, too.

"Eufonia" is the weakest track on this album with one exception - the last 4-5 minutes after the lengthy Hammond experimenting which is unlistenable after the 14th minute turns into a pipe organ bona fide. The sequence of chords with starts simply to the most majestic with maybe even 4 hands playing in the end is fantastic.

Overall a vary varied effort and a must for keyboard-based proggers. Almost 5 stars.