COLOURS CAFFÉ

About two years ago I was very impressed by a song from the Colossus Project's "Dante's Inferno" and up to few days ago it was the only thing that I knew of Yesterdays apart the few info on their bio on PA.

After getting in touch with the band on the forum I have now a digital copy of their new album including the bonus disc included in the Japanese release and both are better than I could have expected.

Reading other's reviews, they are compared to CAMEL and YES and...the opener has effectively a bit of Camel of the Sinclair's period but Linda Horvath's voice is nicer than Latimer's and was also one of the thing which impressed me from Dante's song. Another band that I like very much is AFTER CRYING and this means that I find the Hungarian language very good with symphonic prog. "Jatek" (Play) is a very good song.

"Forog a tánc " (Spin the Dance) has also a bit of YES in the frequent changes of signature and in the choirs even not featuring very high pitched vocals (Jon sings in falsetto, Linda in her natural tones). The band shows an excellent musicianship and the song is very good also as composition. Unfortunately I can't say anything about the lyrics. I use google to translate the tracks titles. This song has a quite chaotic final of mainly drums and guitar.

A good thing is that I can see the influence of CAMEL and YES but only after a more careful listen. My first impression of the album was just "very good". But being a fan of both those classic bands it's clear that Yesterday's music touches the right strings in my ears.

The album proceeds with "Námafilm Szvit " (Movie Suite) that's split into three separated tracks. The first is very melodic with a very good instrumental part on which guitar and keyboards pick up the lead role as in the best LATIMER/BARDENS moments. Add the very good vocals, even the background ones, and this is honestly one of the best new things that I have listened to in the last 12 months, at list in the symphonic subgenre. A very good flute solo closes the first part of the suite. The second part is relaxing and melodic. If it wasn't for the rhythm guitar in the chorus it could even be newage. A song full of warmth in the vocals and in the guitar riff in the central part of the song. Then the guitar fades out leaving room to the flute and the lead vocals, with a piano in the background. It introduces another slow and dreamy section. To be listened with headphones on. A sudden end and the third part begins with congas and string keyboard. The guitar reminds a bit to GILMOUR. The melody, specially in the chorus, is easy. Fans of MOSTLY AUTUMN will surely like it.

"Tükör" (Mirror) is opened by guitar harmonics, then flute and 12 strings (or a mandolin?). Closer to AFTER CRYING but with hints of CARAVAN...and effectively after a sudden stop the wah-wah guitar first, then a flute solo backed by organ sends the listener in a land full of grey and pink. A fantastic song in light Canterbury style, this is what I mean. Very jazzy in the instrumental parts, this is "Bàbu" (Dummy), one of the many album's highlihts.

"Flautoccata", as the title says, is a Toccata for Flute. But after the long intro Linda starts singing and I think to Renaissance and Mostly Autumn but also Curved Air. Another great moment of symphonic prog.

" Prelúdium egy esőhöz" (Prelude to Rain) is a short piece of trumpet and guitar. It has made me remember the Mark ISHAM's masterpiece "Tibet".

Finally "Zápor! (Showers) as consequence of the prelude to rain...Another melodic and a bit radio-friendly song with a very nice guitar solo, very good as closer. So good that it includes a hidden track: "Kèrdès" (Ask). A short song of accordion, voice and flute.

Is that all? No! There's a bonus cd that's very different. It starts with "Seven" that 's a song originally on the debut album. I don't have it so I can't compare this version with the original. It may be the same version, too. This song can be compared with the YES of the period of Going For The One but with the flute picking up part of the keyboard duties. This song has English lyrics and a very good instrumental second part. It's followed by two versions of "Hol Vagy" (Where are you?) that has a slow samba rhtyhm. A very relaxing song The second version is just an alternative final. However the classical guitar parts make me think to Phil SHEERAN, another artist that I like.

"Cherrypie" is on the same line. Linda's voice sounds perfect here. Her voice on this song reminds to Eliza Gilkyson on VOLLENWEIDER's Eolian Minstrel. It's a slow samba-fusion song.

Back to prog with "33(Paradiso)". This song has the strong melody and the Supertramp-like piano and tempo that are typical of the last KAYAK. A very good song indeed. "Way Back Home" starts with funky guitar. Here I think is Akos who sings (very good voice, too). A very 70s song with an American flavor, like in the old WISHBONE ASH, even if here there's one guitar only.

"Don't Be Afraid" opens with celtic harp. I immediately thought to CLANNAD, but just few seconds after the samba rhythm and the flute bring me back to 1970 with CARAVAN's "If I could do...", but with Linda's voice adding colour to the grey. A clear remind to CLOSE TO THE EDGE played by the flute is remarkable.

The bonus CD is closed by an alternative version of Bàbu.

So how to rate it? I'm sorry that we don't have the possibility to rate 4.5 stars. It's very close to be a masterpiece and it's surely an album that will take a lot of time before leaving my playlist. So I'm giving 4 stars but I'm not very generous. The good that Dante's Inferno had let me glimpse was just a little hint of what this band can do. Strong melodies, very good arrangements and a great musicianship. What more can we ask for?