SVITANIE

Now here's a good eclectic prog group not every-one knows about; Blue Effect from Czechoslovakia (during the communist regime) grew from a psychedelic rock band into a brass-rock group (the two Nova Synteza albums) into a full-blown progressive rock group - not unlike a group like SBB from Poland. Soundwise this album reminds a bit of Focus during their 'Hamburger Concerto' phase. I hear Influences from jazz (rock), classical, church music and few, but effective vocals. Some moments remind a bit of Gentle Giant's first three albums. The Finnforest debut also comes to mind as a good reference. By now guitarist Radim Hladík sounds like he could play as well and as fierce as Jan Akkerman on his Les Paul. The keyboards, organs and synths by Oldřich Veselý deserve a volume boost in the mix, but they are very tasteful and effective. The first ten minute instrumental track 'High Chair, Long Ashes' has the band showing its variety in influences and musical prowess. Blue Effect becomes more effective when it comes to songwriting and setting a majestic atmosphere on the second track 'Dew Is Falling, Falling' with beautiful pastoral vocals. The blues guitar of Hladík shines brightly here on a chord progression that could have been written by PFM. Lovers of the ARP string synths are also in for a treat. 'On Saturday Afternoon', the last piece on the first side show the band in an exciting fusion rock mode reminding me of Focus, SBB and Mahavishnu. The second side is reserved for the epic 'Svitanie' or 'Dawning'. This is a particularly interesting mix of styles with slow-pace blues as its backbone, yet it sounds distinctively progressive in its execution. The pastoral opening section reminds me a bit of Focus' 'Eruption', and not only because of the in-fading guitar of Hladík. On this track the bass guitar of Fedor Freso plays a more melodic role. Its quite interesting how this track has a low pace for most of its running time and stays exciting all the same. In conclusion, this is a very strong eclectic prog album and fans of seventies prog should really consider getting a copy of this. Right now there's a new vinyl print on the Opus label that sounds fine.