MERLIN

One of those strong albums that can be considered as "almost perfect". This is high- quality pop-prog for sure. Side one of this LP contents a mini rock-opera of 5 songs about the wizard Merlin. The title-track is a 7-minute masterpiece containing wonderful singing by Edward Reekers and female backvocalists Irene Linders and Katherine Lapthorn. Note the crying keyboard-solo and the powerful guitar-solo. Second highlight is the track Niniane. A beautiful piano-ballad with a very dramatic, wonderful instrumental piano-passage and again, excellent singing.

Side two of the LP contains pure pop-songs in the style of the previous album Periscope Life, but even better. The single Seagull is a nice ballad, and the happy Boogie Heart, the sentimental Now That We've Come This Far and the lovely up-tempo song Can't Afford To Lose.

Keyboard player and Kayak-leader Ton Scherpenzeel once said in an interview, that people who hear why "Love's Aglow"is so good, truly understand what Kayak's music is all about. And if you ask me, I will say that the best man is completely right.

Hard to get, but a very, very good album. Check it out!