BIELA PLANÉTA

Released just one year after the very good "Dunajska legenda", the album starts deceivingly poorly - devoid of progressive rock and fusion, it could be classified as virtuoso rock with quite straightforward rhythm section. "Magellan" is a shadow of previous Fermata complexity and power with mainly Berka throwing one or two wood branches into the fire. With "Amundsen", things start to look better, not in terms of intensity but sound development where keyboards and bass play adventurous modern fusion. After half the song, Fermata returns to the fiery 70's fusion with guitar soloing and even some Brian May-like sequence. "Polo" is a fantastic Latin-fusion workout with all 4 players very busy including the drummer who finally rolling up the sleeves. Great Berka provides solo but also some bass synths. Clearly his composition. Pity it is the shortest track and ends abruptly. "Da Gama" continues in the more 70's territory as does Humbold in a more accessible manner. "Livingstone" mainly builds on the irregular and dynamic shifts, kudos to Freso and Olah.

I'm quite captivated by Berka's composing and playing on this album, more than by the three others. 3.5 stars.