THE 5TH

A one-disc overview of the Dutch group, who specialised in making jazzy rock versions of well-known classical tunes. The original classical tunes used for these are very much Music for the Millions, and this is the main criticism I have on this group. A little more adventurous choice of the original material would have made their effort more interesting. Still, they are very accomplished musicians, and the results are often pleasing, although in all cases I prefer the original versions. If you want a one-disc introduction to this group, this would be suitable, especially if you can pick it up in Holland where it sells for 3-5 Euro. Best track: the sabre dance.

Remembering how I purchased this CD, it was quite a funny experience. When I was a child I knew there was a good album by Ekspetion called "Fifth" with its cover of number "5". That was I got from a cassette version by the time the album was released. So when I saw this CD at local CD store I had a big question: Is this one the same album as I got in the cassette version when I was a child? Well, because the CD did not price expensively, I purchased this CD anyway. When I spun the CD, it sounded different with the one I got in cassette version. But it's okay .. I like it. In fact this one is a compilation of various interpretation of classical music by the Dutch' Ekseption. For those who love classical music, this must fit the purpose. For me personally, I think this music is something that usually being played at hotel's lobby while waiting for someone.

You can find great composers like Beethoven, Bach, Albinoni, Gershwin, Mozart, Tchaicovsky etc are featured in here. The Beethoven's famous "The 5th" is set as opening track followed with nice Bach's composition "Air" followed with live performance of Beethoven's "Piano Concerto N.3 in C Minor Opus 37: Rondo". "Adagio" is well composed music with nice melody. The famous Bach's "Toccata And Fugue in D Minor for Piep Organ: Toccata" is also performed excellently by the band. I can assure you if you like classical music, you might be happy listening to this compilation.

Overall, it is recommended to those who can appreciate classical music, interpreted and rearranged for different style like this one. Keep on proggin' ..!

In my personal view Ekseption was a Prog band only because they re-arranged in Jazz Rock version composition of Beethoven, Bach, Albinoni, Gershwin, Mozart, Tchaicovsky etc. And this is only one form of Prog, one of most genuine. If this is only a personal view, it is true that Ekseption was a great band. This compilation confirm what I wrote.

Since it is clear that the message did pass Ekseption in the minds of the listeners, which band we use to understand what were Ekseption? Probably The Nice, more that ELP. But this is not totally true. The Nice use the so called Classic Music composition for to create a new musical genre. Ekseption use the so called Classic Music composition for the sheer pleasure of making them known to a rock audience. Because of this fact if a compilation was baroque the transposition was baroque. For The Nice (and ELP) the tranposition was from baroque to symphonic.

"The 5th" is, true or not true, a condensed "The Best Of..." of Ekseption with 15 rearranged songs and 1 medley. In general these tranpositions are good, but not immortals. And, in my correct view, all at the same level. Some with more magic, some with more passion, some very cold but all with passion and devotion.

Ekseption was another great band for Prog, with great musicians. And a band that today would be handy to have. In historical vision a pure expression of 70's in music.