TřETÍ KNIHA DZUNGLÍ

This is PROGRES 's fourth studio album and it's a double concept record again based on "The Jungle Book" like their second release. I've expressed many times the difficulty I have with both double albums and concept albums, so yes to combine them rarely works for me. This is no exception.Since their previous recording (the amazing "Dialog S Vesmirem") two members have left and we get a new vocalist on this one, so we have a four piece band instead of five. I do like this recording but it really doesn't measure up to the previous one at all. I do like it better though than the second album "Maugli (As Barnoda)" though so 3.5 stars is my rating here. Most of the tracks here blend into each other.

"Ja" opens wih atmosphere and nature sounds before almost spoken words arrive before 2 minutes. It blends into "Setkani" where it kicks in quickly.Vocals before 2 minutes. A change after 4 minutes when the vocals stop.They return later. "Kjo Jsem ?" features atmosphere and guitar as reserved vocals join in. It blends into "Svet Dzungle" where drums and vocals start to lead.The synths and guitar create some depth. It settles 3 minutes in but picks back up a minute later. A reggae vibe before 5 1/2 minutes.There are some distinct similarities between this album and the "Maugli (As Barnoda)" album. "Zakon" has vocals,guitar and drums out front then keyboards before 2 1/2 minutes.Vocals are back around 4 minutes. "Opici Narod" is a short minimalistic piece until the end where it kicks in and blends into "Strach". It settles then kicks back in after 2 minutes, vocals too. Great sound when it settles in. "Ztraceny Rad" features swirling synths and almost spoken vocals. It kicks in late. These last two songs of disc one are excellent and my favourites.

Disc two starts with "Muz, Ktory Se Podoba Odvracene Strane Mesice" and it's futuristic and spacey. A beat arrives then it picks up with vocals after 2 minutes. A guitar solo after 4 1/2 minutes. "Nezname Nevpousted Dal" is my second favourite of disc two.The vocals, guitar and atmosphere all sound amazing here. "V Raji Stoleti" has these experimental sounds that come and go. A beat comes in and builds after 2 minutes. Cool track. "Reklamni Svita" is a strange track with vocals. "S Maskou A Bez Masky" features synths that are eventually joined by drums. Synths only 2 minutes in create a spacey atmosphere. Piano ends it as it blends into "To Ja Se Vracim" where vocals join in. Not a fan of this. It does kick in around 3 minutes. "Ozveny" is a short piece with vocal expressions and other sounds. "Cim De Svet Muj" opens with some good guitar which is joined by drums and synths.This is the longest track at over 8 1/2 minutes. Vocals also join in. I like the guitar throughout this tune. Definitely my favourite from disc two.

A good but long recording at 80 minutes. Well worth checking out.