REFUGEE

When Keith Emerson left THE NICE to form ELP the other two members of THE NICE decided to look for another keyboardist as they wanted to continue to make music. And boy they found a good one in Patrick Moraz out of Switzerland who had played with MAINHORSE allowing them to continue to play in the keyboard driven Symphonic style they were used to. They named themselves REFUGEE and released this sole album in 1974 before Moraz left them to join YES for that "Relayer" record. Forgive these two for having a complex.

My first listen left me very impressed, just with the keyboard work alone. I really like the drumming as well but wish the bass more more upfront. And speaking of wishes maybe less vocals. They don't ruin it for me like it does some, in fact I've heard way worse. We get a couple of very long tracks worth 17 and 18 minutes plus a one minute piece of nasty keyboards. And three tracks around the five minute mark and that opener "Papillon" is the best of those in my opinion. It's quickly dominated by Moraz but the drum/bass/keyboard run from around 2 minutes to 3 1/2 minutes is very cool.

"Someday" is the one with the weakest vocals on it but I love the electric piano 2 minutes in, synths will then lead a minute later. The final 5 minute track is "Ritt Mickley" which is actually "Rhythmically" but written the way Moraz would say it with his accent. Clavinet here! Yes another drum/keyboard show folks. Of the two suites I prefer "Grand Canyon Suite" but both are well done and certainly proggy the way they change things up throughout keeping me interested and entertained. The other long one "Credo" to close the album sure ends strong with the electric piano 14 minutes in then clavinet.

ELP fans and the like need to hear this one. Easily 4 stars and plenty of mellotron as well.