HORA NATA

add another half star really but only for the quality as this is non-essential music but well worth discovering if you are at an advanced state of progressions in prog (are you sure you are following me?). In other words , although quite enjoyable, this album should not be a priority unless you are an old dog like me , lifting stones to see if there are no hidden and forgotten gems under it. It is also such a shame that we must rely on Japanese collectors and labels to see this reprinted on CD using expensive paper for the sleeve.

BANZAI is of the symphonic rock type of Belgian bands and probably one of the better ones. too bad they omly manged this one Lp. This is a real rock'n roll outfit (as was also countrymen Irish Coffee) with real inspirations of Genesis and mostly Yes. Their four long tracks after a short intro are full good arrangements that remind you the two masters but very much rockier sometimes reminding you of Deep Purple or Uriah Heep. There are some real moments on the second and third tracks (suites divided into section , one of those giving its name as the album title), my fave being the fourth track- Hat Trick. The one originality is the inventive percussions (marimbas etc..) that at the times were not the norm

As for the bonus tracks , they are the singles the band released in those years, the first being the title track of the album redone with a string section. Most of the singles are of good quality but they are somewhat different than the album itself. On those singles Banzai manages to sound more like Caravan (circa New Symphonia era) and is rather pleasant. If you must have only one symphonic rock album from belgium , make it this one.