TABULA RASA

First album of a quintet that produced two symphonic prog albums in the mid-70's, their self-titled debut being released in 75 on the Finnish legendary Love Record label . Lead by Leppilampi and guitarist Silvennoinen, the band developed a fairly conventional and calm progressive rock, sounding a bit like Italian bands - despite the very different language, JJ's vocal delivery is somewhat similar to a lot of the Peninsula's prog, further enhanced by a melodic flute, courtesy of Sonmunen.

As hinted above, their very symphonic-styled prog is nothing really groundbreaking or even exciting, so we're light years away of Haikara's two albums, Tasavallan's Lambertland or Wigwam's Fairyport or Being. Don't let this deter you from investigating if you're into relatively soft prog rock, somewhere between Camel, Fruup, BJH or the aforementioned Italian classic groups like PFM or QVL. Of course, the flute will also give it a Tullian touch, but the quintet's music never reaches the brilliance of Jethro's. Four rather-wise tracks per side, none standing out from the rest, and none reaching epic sonic proportions. Just average and honest symphonic prog, but nothing that will be making you write letters home either.

Btw, at the time of reviewing, I was only able to get my hands upon a Japanese label pressing of both of TR album, but I can't imagine that Love Records will not reissue these two albums in the not-to-distant future. So I'm not sure that the album's sleeve was as bland as this CD version, or whether it was a gatefold or not. There is a painting of a nude female walking away in what seems to be a primitive world, and I supposed that it refers to the album's musical or lyrical content. In either case, TR's debut is somewhat interesting in the Finnish landscape, but mainly because it sounds exotic ? and not local. Good symphonic genre consolidation for your shelves at best, but nothing essential, really.