OMEGAMIX

''Omegamix'' is the most accessible solo work of Laszlo Benko. There are two long tracks, each, in its turn, contains cuts of OMEGA tunes performed by Laszlo on keyboards. Other band members are also credited, but it's not so easy to distinguish between electronic drums played by Ferenc Debreceni and programmed drum sounds.

OMEGA are great masters to create nice and memorable melodies, so no wonder this record is enjoyable. Good to listen to in the background, especially if you recognize the tunes. If you are not familiar with OMEGA songs you probably will be pleased with this album, but I don't think after listening to it you'll rush to search band's albums in stores. Anyway, hardly essential, but nice CD.

Rather than hiring a full symphony orchestra as many groups from Pink Floyd to Metallica have done in the past to interpret their music on special occasions, Omega`s redoubtable keyboard player Laszlo Benko did away with that approach and like some sort of clairvoyant gazing into a shrew stone performed this instrumental retrospective Omega`s music on the eve of the 30th anniversary of the band on his magic array of electronic keyboards along with subtle computer treatments. Supplanted by bandmates Janos Kobor on synth guitar and Ferenc Debreceni on electronic drums, this celebratory extravaganza captures the essence of Omega`s melodic and often meloncholic music in a majestic sense while at the same time avoiding unecessary pompousness.

The work consists of two cleverly extended suite-like tracks containing themes from Omega`s repetiore from the sixties all the way up to 1987`s Babylon album which reveals Benko`s knowledge of the classics with each beginning with a prelude-like excerpt followed by individual minor keyed interpretations of each main theme centered around a grand piano which can be instantly identifiable by any long-time fan. Not presented in any specific chonological order but rather arranged dynamicaly, Benko manages to achieve a suprisingly flawless random flow of Omega`s remarkably diverse music written roughly over a 25 year period. Even those who are not familiar with Omega`s work will be taken aback, and as on previous solo work Benko doesn`t stretch himself too much and does not dwell too long on each individual musical idea utilizing his electronic toys at a reasonably conservative virtuosic level and achieving a very pleasant and accessable end result.

Not necessarily an invitation to Omega`s music per say, but rather a souvenir for those familiar with their timeles music to cherish on their 30th anniversary, but this is not to say that it is a fan only album because it definitely holds signifigant appeal for those interested in any form electronic/ambient music.