EKSEPTION 3

Once the Ekseption machine was switched on, it was really hard to be slowed down, even if the line-up changes were a frequent phenomenon for the band.Vocalist Michel van Dijk parted ways with Ekseption to taste a brief stint with Brainbox and later to join Alquin.He was replaced by Steve Allet (born as Coen Merkelbach).Also drummer Peter de Leeuwe returned behind the drum kit, replacing Dennis Whitebread, who went on to join Cargo under his real name of Dennis Witbraat.Even so van der Linden & co. recorded a third album for Phillips in 1970, simply entitled ''3'', another concept album around the story of Le Petit Prince.

Again the music is largely instrumental with strong Classical influences and van der Linden adapting moments from the timeless music of Bach, Rachmaninoff and Beethoven, mixing them cleverly with a fascinating Jazz/Horn Rock and obvious 60's psychedelic influences.Superb work on Hammond organ and harsichord with beautiful manipulations, offering both melodic and virtuosic themes, highlighted by the excellence of the background trumpets and saxes.Grandiose and pompous instrumental textures, that are pleasant to the ear and, even a bit dated, speak straight to the heart of the listener.New singer Steve Allet had a very JIM MORRISON-kind of singing style and in fact a couple of songs in the album do sound like a Classical version of THE DOORS with deep, psychedelic overtones, for example the fantastic ''On sunday they will kill the world''.For the most of its length the album is majestic with nice string sections, dreamy horn sounds and ethereal keyboards, while the songs are perfectly structured to deliver both magnificent melodies and more progessive colors, led by the complexity of Classical Music's fundamentals.Note that most of the lyrics were written by Dutch radio-presenter Will Luikinga.

Impressive combination of Classical and Jazz/Horn Rock in a highly adventurous album, full of pompous, very tight pieces and a deeply symphonic finesse.Another step towards perfection by this overlooked Prog band.Highly recommended.