REFUGEE

Yes i know...yet another 5 star review from me...but hey i cant help it. As i own much of these wonderfull records myself,it would be kind of strange to "dump" them musically and otherwise. Refugee...are the wonderfull trio (unfortunately their only outing!) of Patrick Moraz (ex-Mainhorse,another fabulous prog album,pre-Moody blues):Keyboards extraordinaire and the 2 ex-Nice guys Brian Davison:Drums,percussion/Lee Jackson:Bass, Cello,12 string acoustic guitar & Lead Vocals. Has made a an album with a whole new approach....you migth think Trace,ELP..etc. but in all fairness,its far from those examples...its more..its ...dare i say it...sometimes better than that....as this is refreshing keyboardvoyages (Thanks to the ever fantastic keyboardplay of mr. Moraz) on Mellotron,moog,hammond and synthesizer.....with the bombastic underlay of Lee & Davison. First track:" Papillon" is a beautiful themesong..where i could swear there were butterflies i my room while listening. Third track " Grand Canyon" is the one that comes closest to the sound of Nice/ELP... still its sort of lighter.....more airey if you will. Again there these fantastic keyboard flushes or rushes.What a tremendous keyboard player Moraz is!! Mind you, Lee & Davison are fully capable in keeping up with Moraz..there are lots of interplays and timechanges. Fifth (and last ) track: "Credo" starts of with some lovely piano excursions...then sneaks into a tighter mode with Lee´s vocal on top (some migth think Lee´s vocal is a bit harsh but i love it!! Maybe its because i "grew" up with Nice!?) Suddenly the track moves into ELP- mode...chuch organ and Lake-like vocals......the themes varies and changes several times along this 18 minutes + epic. As you´ve noticed i have only praise for this GEM. The thing is...you need this record if you´re into keyboard trio´s and if you´re into the story of Nice !!! Buy this, before you buy your next meal...you can eat later!!!