EAST OF EDEN REVISITED

December of 2009, after concentrated pestering of PA administrators to include the Hungarian prog group Android into the progarchives database, I got to review East of Eden and wrote of a great record marred by poor elements and summarized my review with the following : '''The fact that the guitarist is all over the place, as befits a band leader the outcome swims in unabashed hope that the criticism will sink in and alter their next release. Or better yet rerecord this one, as its chock full of superb licks. In closing, this is great recording, with the appropriate players but definitely the wrong producer and tonal choice. Guys, go get some real analog keyboards and a smarter drum package and wow us somewhere down the line with a kick ass album that will prove me right''. Well, lo and behold the rare event of having leader Jozsef Tozser contacting me recently with a rather incredible offer : Android has rerecorded East of Eden and wanted me to review the results which I had originally hoped for! Holiest of cows! I am very happy and proud to announce that the outcome is superb! The band had agreed to my past criticism and went about correcting what was wrong , namely cheesy synth tones and rather clunky drum work. The bass guitar and especially the lead guitar work of Janos Dudas was never in doubt, but Jozsef certainly did the right thing, hiring a veteran Hungarian producer in Tamas Barabas (Djabe). Not only have i listened multiple times to this recording but went back to hear how it compared to the original stuff! No contest whatsoever! I have been accused often of being effusive with my 5 star reviews and rarely pan anything or even criticize as I am not the artist who has toiled on the work for countless hours. Here I offered an opinion that was noticed and thankfully corrected. Everything is way way better, including the cover artwork, the sound, the instrumental playing and the attention to detail. Dudas is a very talented guitarist who can shred and bend with the very best of them (he also looks like a cross between John Kay (Steppenwolf) and Mike Ratledge of Soft Machine). Added guitarist Istvan Latmany takes care of rhythmic business, freeing Dudas to let it rip.

From the very first seconds of ''Prelude'', I cannot help but smile. The distinctive Hungarian folk element of the cimbalom gives the piece an immediate appeal, Nikolin's bass pulsating through some quirky guitar forays. Dreamy and atmospheric, the piece evokes wide windswept expanses, a gentle melancholia pushed along by a delightful guitar line, expolding into a daring solo that evolves naturally.

''Flying a Kite'' instills an intricate guitar-led melody that is for the ages, instantly appealing and gratifying, certainly a highlight track, one that stays firmly entrenched in the listerner's mind and soul. Parping synths add to the mix, but its really a guitar showcase of the highest order. The blow out is quite unexpected with some wicked twists and turns, Dudas screeching along like a madman. The bass is also front and center, owning a spot to show his technique. After a serene lull, the main melody does a return performance, once again highlighting the delicious main theme.

The title track keeps the flow going, a synthesizer intro setting the pace, while Dudas looks at flicking his wrists on the fretboard, lot of Steve Hillage in the cosmic tone, slick, cristalline and spacy. Tozser then defines the fabulous main theme , providing the needed platform for a well-massaged electric guitar solo that just builds into a frenzy, explosive and insistent.

The epic 13 minute+ extravaganza ''XVIth Century of Hungary'' is another high point, as it provides the musicians a wide berth to show off their skills, all instruments focused on expanding their boundaries. You have to admire a vocal-less piece that has a historical background as the story must lie in the notes. This was a harsh period in Hungarian history, under siege by Ottoman forces, which found the nation divided in three parts (Transylvania, the Habsburg controlled areas and the Ottoman ruled lands). A nation defeated at Mohacs, but resilient enough to avoid annihilation. The country would remain divided until the 17th century. The music is laden with sorrow, courage, defiance and pride. Once again the lead guitar is the focal point on which all these emotions are expressed.

''Mirror Image of a Dream'' is a suave exercise in contrast, bombastic guitars duelling with gentle keyboard ripples, chiming like bells until the wicked synth comes into the fray. The bass and drums give the backbone needed to make this all very convincing, the dual guitars smashing and pummelling along unabashed.

''Lost Love'' proposes another impressionistic theme, ably crafted on guitars, but gives keyboardist Tozser the freedom to solo as well, but ultimately its Dudas who lights up the proceedings with wicked technique and fret power.

''Apocrif'' ('Apocrypha are works, usually written, of unknown authorship or of doubtful origin') is the massive finale, certainly the most complex and technical of all the tracks , clocking in over 14 minutes, laden with dramatic ebb and flow, soft passages interspersed with more muscular rampages, always interesting and a propos. This epic is definitely mind music, emotional yet creative , daring to venture into higher realms and anointing this work with a huge stamp of approval and commendation.

Instrumental music needs strong melodies to be able to sustain interest and not dissolve into meandering fluff or background soundtrack. Here all the melodies are bright, immediately appealing and grandiose, thus erecting a strong foundation on which to display their individual/collective chops. Well, done!

This is Android's finest work, one that was thankfully reconstructed, refurbished and elegantly repackaged. I remember Budapest when I first visited my homeland in 1966 as a ten year-old and when I returned in 2005 after a 30 year hiatus, the city was unrecognizably improved and 'elegantly repackaged'. I could scarcely believe my eyes. With this reworking of their d'but, I can scarcely believe my ears.

4.5 Oriental gardens