SVEN GRÜNBERG'S PROGE-ROCK GROUP

Mess was formed in January 1974 featuring the interesting electronic devices and lots of analogical keyboards played by Estonian master Sven Grünberg. The other band's musicians were excellent and the result is a great and unique synthesised and electronic and spacey sound, mixed with delicious prog tunes, released in 1976. Quite enjoyable.

Now here is something very weird indeed. We all know the history - what's the music like? Nothing on earth, unless you know Soviet rock, which always synthesised pirated western tunes and arrangements and never got it quite right and unintentionally produced prog masterworks like Edward Artemiev's Warmth of Earth. This is similar - I think Grunberg is playing an EMS Synthi like that modified and used by Artemiev.

think Focus, and very atmospheric Moraz-era Yes, with lots of odd-sounding electronics. After that, I can't help you. But all prog fans should hear this one.

Estonian prog legends Mess were guided since 1974 by keyboard wizard Sven Grünberg and electronics' master Härmo Härm.The classic mid-70s line-up featured also bassist Matti Timmermann, drummer Ivar Sipra, and guitarist Elmu Värk.Mess were a pioneer of groundbreaking rock music in the ex-Soviet Union around the time, offering lives full of lightshows.Like many other Soviet bands though they had not the chance to transmit this experience into full recordings.In 1995 the German label Bella Music released a CD under the name ''Sven Grünberg's Proge-Rock Group Mess'' with recordings between 1974-1977, edite by Grünberg himself.

The music of the band is absolutely intricate and I can see why they are regarded as legends of Progressive/Art Rock back in their homecountry.Despite having a mediocre production the album shows a band with a very rich sound, mixing Electronic/Space Rock with romantic Symphonic Rock and light Fusion, a cross reference between TANGERINE DREAM, THE ENID, CAMEL and FOCUS,a beautiful combination indeed.The compositions change radically from analog Electronic soundscapes to symphonic orchestrations with great organ and some fascinating guitar work by Värk, not unlike the style of ANDY LATIMER or JAN AKKERMANN.Grünberg's performance on organ is inspired and careful on the symphonic parts and more aggresive but again delicate on the more Fusion-edged ones.His vocals are also good and no doubt the Estonian language sounds a lot like Swedish or Norwegian.What was actually the band's real hot point is to deliver their sound from this spacey Electronic dimension produced by Härm to a very rich and unbelievably grandiose Symphonic Rock with superb guitars and haunting synths.''Lugu'' is definitely a masterpiece and maybe the best example of this particular and unique inspiration.

These recordings from the vaults proove what was rumored about Mess being a very personal and extra-ordinary band among the Soviet music products.Moreover the diversity of their sound is sure to please fans of different tastes.All compositions are great and the album comes highly recommended to all fans of cinematic Progressive Rock with a nice sense of atmosphere.Excellent.