REFUGEE

After Keith EMERSON had left The NICE, the two remaining members bass player / vocalist Lee Jackson and drummer Brian Davison teamed up with the promising Swiss keyboardist Patrick MORAZ (ex MAINHORSE). In '74 they released their acclaimed eponymous album. The music is carried by the astonishing skills of Patrick MORAZ. His wide range of keyboards colours the music in many different ways: majestic Mellotron waves, spectacular synthesizer flights, bombastic church-organ, swinging clavinet play and impressive work on the Grand - and electric piano. The compositions show a great diversity but the boring vocals are a blow and keep this album from being a masterpiece. Nonetheless, if you're up to splendid keyboard driven prog rock, I'm sure you will not complain about Jackson's vocals. Because most parts of the alternating and elaborate compositions (not typical The NICE, ELP or TRACE keyboard prog) are instrumental and showcases the incredible talents and good ideas of keyboard-wizard Mr. MORAZ (later nicknamed "the Swiss poodle" by the YES members).