CEI CE NE-AU DAT NUME

Debut album of Romanian band Phoenix is possibly the one I like most of all their early works. The year is 1972, and the music there is a product of it's time - a bit dreamy and slightly psychedelic guitar based rock, but with strong Eastern Balkan folklore flavour.

I am familiar with progressive rock from almost all Eastern Europe, but Phoenix was a first Romanian band for me. And when comparing, I can say there is the difference in sound you will easy recognize band's music.

Besides of characteristic electric guitar and bass sound (you can hear similar sound on Polish SBB albums from same time period), all music base there is Romanian folk, not blues-rock. So the result is quite interesting - in fact it's a two cultures elements melted in one . Vocals, rhythmic structures and melodies come from Romanian folklore, and guitar sound, bass and some internal aesthetics are all early Western prog rock. And when listen you can easily hear both components, they aren't mixed in one, but exists one near the other.

Really interesting album for researcher, must have one for any serious Eastern European prog collector. Possibly, not easy listening for any taste, but could be a nice surprise for those searching for obscure artists and unusual sounds from early prog time.

My rating - 3,5,rounded to 4.