BIRDS OF FIRE

A fusion masterpiece. Probably the best fusion album ever, in fact. Birds Of Fire, MO's second album, is indeed an unforgettable piece of music, so rare to find such a jewel. 1971 was one of greatest years in prog (Nursery Cryme, Acquiring the Taste, In Search Of Space, Pawn Hearts, Aqualung, and many many more), and this is the proof. Haunting in many points, excellent passages, face melting solos, and much more is included in "Birds Of Fire".

the first three songs are amazing, all of them played with outstanding and refined musicianship, the melodies are great, which is rare in Fusion, where often there's no melody at all. But the two songs after these, are beyond imagination. "Thousand Island Park" has extremely elegant arrangements, as well as beautiful and delicate melodies, played with the acoustic guitar. "Hope" is another unbelievable step beyond, a brief track, very enlivened thanks to the amazing melody of the violin, accompanied by a furious band that can really rock. "One Word" is another masterpiece, the longest song of the album, so full of solos of different instruments, it blew my mind right away. The following two tracks are great, but not as much as the previous ones. "Sanctuary", in fact, is a little boring, but very nice in some moments. The ending pieces is a great closer, maybe the best closer for a fusion album.

An amazing album, a total classic, that will remain impressed to all prog and jazz fans for the rest of their lives.