NOVALIS

Many years back I picked up NOVALIS' classic third album "Sommerabend" which has remained one of my all time favorite German prog delights. Acting very much as the pre-cursor to this masterpiece, their "second" album simply and yet strangely titled "Novalis" is another excellent album full of classic musicianship carrying a full accomplished sound throughout. NOVALIS' music is based on long concepts tracks performed in grand lush style with heavy use of organs and mellotrons, strings and bass. Most of their music is instrumental with some occasional non-intrusive German vocals. On their second album, NOVALIS added Carlo Karges (Ex-TOMORROW'S GIFT) doubling on guitars and keyboards. Out of interst, years later Karges would perform with Nena and be resposible for that aweful 1980's hit "99 Luftballoons"! The overall sound on this album is not unlike "Mirage"-era "CAMEL" or "ELOY's "Ocean" in many ways with floating keyboards and a heavy symphonic presence. On this album Novalis even perform a rock impression of Bruckner's 5th Symphony. An excellent album for of wonderful progressive moments.