MEDITACE [AKA: KINGDOM OF LIFE]

A good record, but definitely not prog. Mostly blues inspired (Blues about stone), some guitardominated rockers (Rainy Day, Where is my star, Deserted alley) tracks with hints of psychedelia (Blue Effect Street), one short filler instrumental (Sluneční hrob), a few ballads (Fénix, Paměť lásky). It is easy to see that the band was full of great instrumentalist even at this early stage (Hladík´s solos on Blue Effect Street, Deserted alley or Where is my star), great bass work (Little girl ,Rainy day) as well as drums (Where is my star, Blue effect street). But still, quite a few numbers are sub par in terms of songwriting (Stroj na nic, Little girl, Blues about stone), but there are a few gems there (dramatic Paměť lásky, the melodic, guitar driven Deserted alley, eastern flavoured Blue effect street, the tight Where is my star). The bonus tracks on the 1996 re-issue are in the same vein, a fine, emotional mlodic balld (Sluneční blues), a nice psychedelic rocker (Sen není věčný), a catchy midtempo rhytm and blues (I like the world) and a few missteps (the goofy Snakes, the horrible cover of Got my Mojo working).

Ratings of songs in terms of appearance: 5+5+4+2+1+2+5+2+3.5+5=34:10=3.4 stars bonus tracks:5+5+1+5+5+1+5=27:7=3.9 stars

GOOD, BUT NON-ESSENTIAL