COLOURS CAFFÉ

'Colours Caffé' - Yesterdays (7/10)

In the hopes of receiving some international attention for their music, Romanian proggers Yesterdays sent out their music to reviewers around the world. As you would not have guessed; I was one fortunate enough to receive one of their albums at my doorstep. Barring their enigmatic metal scene, I cannot say I am too familiar with the music of Romania, and Eastern Europe for that matter. Regardless, I have enjoyed 'Colours Caffé' for its variety and charm. Yesterdays aren't breaking down any barriers that prog rock didn't already pummel through years ago, but they have an enthusiasm in their sound that sets 'Colours Caffé' a step above your run-of-the-mill prog record.

A minute into listening to 'Colours Caffé', a listener will have a strong idea of what the band is all about. The music is upbeat, with light synths, straightforward rhythms, and a focus on melody that's brought forth strongest by vocalist Bogáti-Bokor Ákos, a singer with a friendly and pleasant voice. To the Western listener, the most exciting element of Yesterdays may be the fact that their lyrics are in Hungarian; although I am used to hearing prog sung in English and Italian, hearing the new language is an interesting experience of its own. The phonetics of the language sung don't always seem to fit the music perfectly, but the optimistic emotions break the language barrier, despite the fact I can't understand a word being said.

If I understand correctly, Yesterdays' first album was more complex, and this is a poppier, more melodic take on their music. Although 'pop' is often an evil word when speaking of progressive rock, Yesterdays' focus on melodies over complex composition works very well. That being said, there are still some fairly adventurous elements to the music of this band. Tracks three through five make up a twenty minute 'epic' of sorts, although only the gorgeous fourth track seems to take the ambition of an epic to heart. 'Nemafilm' is the highlight of this album, although as a whole, the album gets better as it goes on. At the beginning of 'Colours Caffé', the pop elements are most pronounced, but it starts to yield to a couple of surprises along the way. By the end of the album, a listener will have heard some great flute solos, 'vocorder' vocals, and a variety of different tempos and angles from which Yesterdays approaches their music. Nothing is out-of-the-box enough to feel misplaced, but 'Colours Caffé' has enough variety to it to be consistently enjoyable.

Mixed by Ty Tabor of King's X, the production values on this album are quite high, although the way the vocals are recorded sometimes feels plain. Although the album cover implies that Yesterdays are attempting to recreate the 60's and 70's with their music, 'Colours Caffé' is not a totally 'retro' effort. The melodies sound well-planted in modern music. Yesterdays should have a bright future ahead of them if they keep developing their sound, and while I would not yet say they have a unique identity, there is more than enough talent floating around these guys to leave the opportunity wide open.

About two years ago I was very impressed by a song from the Colossus Project's "Dante's Inferno" and up to few days ago it was the only thing that I knew of Yesterdays apart the few info on their bio on PA.

After getting in touch with the band on the forum I have now a digital copy of their new album including the bonus disc included in the Japanese release and both are better than I could have expected.

Reading other's reviews, they are compared to CAMEL and YES and...the opener has effectively a bit of Camel of the Sinclair's period but Linda Horvath's voice is nicer than Latimer's and was also one of the thing which impressed me from Dante's song. Another band that I like very much is AFTER CRYING and this means that I find the Hungarian language very good with symphonic prog. "Jatek" (Play) is a very good song.

"Forog a tánc " (Spin the Dance) has also a bit of YES in the frequent changes of signature and in the choirs even not featuring very high pitched vocals (Jon sings in falsetto, Linda in her natural tones). The band shows an excellent musicianship and the song is very good also as composition. Unfortunately I can't say anything about the lyrics. I use google to translate the tracks titles. This song has a quite chaotic final of mainly drums and guitar.

A good thing is that I can see the influence of CAMEL and YES but only after a more careful listen. My first impression of the album was just "very good". But being a fan of both those classic bands it's clear that Yesterday's music touches the right strings in my ears.

The album proceeds with "Námafilm Szvit " (Movie Suite) that's split into three separated tracks. The first is very melodic with a very good instrumental part on which guitar and keyboards pick up the lead role as in the best LATIMER/BARDENS moments. Add the very good vocals, even the background ones, and this is honestly one of the best new things that I have listened to in the last 12 months, at list in the symphonic subgenre. A very good flute solo closes the first part of the suite. The second part is relaxing and melodic. If it wasn't for the rhythm guitar in the chorus it could even be newage. A song full of warmth in the vocals and in the guitar riff in the central part of the song. Then the guitar fades out leaving room to the flute and the lead vocals, with a piano in the background. It introduces another slow and dreamy section. To be listened with headphones on. A sudden end and the third part begins with congas and string keyboard. The guitar reminds a bit to GILMOUR. The melody, specially in the chorus, is easy. Fans of MOSTLY AUTUMN will surely like it.

"Tükör" (Mirror) is opened by guitar harmonics, then flute and 12 strings (or a mandolin?). Closer to AFTER CRYING but with hints of CARAVAN...and effectively after a sudden stop the wah-wah guitar first, then a flute solo backed by organ sends the listener in a land full of grey and pink. A fantastic song in light Canterbury style, this is what I mean. Very jazzy in the instrumental parts, this is "Bàbu" (Dummy), one of the many album's highlihts.

"Flautoccata", as the title says, is a Toccata for Flute. But after the long intro Linda starts singing and I think to Renaissance and Mostly Autumn but also Curved Air. Another great moment of symphonic prog.

" Prelúdium egy esőhöz" (Prelude to Rain) is a short piece of trumpet and guitar. It has made me remember the Mark ISHAM's masterpiece "Tibet".

Finally "Zápor! (Showers) as consequence of the prelude to rain...Another melodic and a bit radio-friendly song with a very nice guitar solo, very good as closer. So good that it includes a hidden track: "Kèrdès" (Ask). A short song of accordion, voice and flute.

Is that all? No! There's a bonus cd that's very different. It starts with "Seven" that 's a song originally on the debut album. I don't have it so I can't compare this version with the original. It may be the same version, too. This song can be compared with the YES of the period of Going For The One but with the flute picking up part of the keyboard duties. This song has English lyrics and a very good instrumental second part. It's followed by two versions of "Hol Vagy" (Where are you?) that has a slow samba rhtyhm. A very relaxing song The second version is just an alternative final. However the classical guitar parts make me think to Phil SHEERAN, another artist that I like.

"Cherrypie" is on the same line. Linda's voice sounds perfect here. Her voice on this song reminds to Eliza Gilkyson on VOLLENWEIDER's Eolian Minstrel. It's a slow samba-fusion song.

Back to prog with "33(Paradiso)". This song has the strong melody and the Supertramp-like piano and tempo that are typical of the last KAYAK. A very good song indeed. "Way Back Home" starts with funky guitar. Here I think is Akos who sings (very good voice, too). A very 70s song with an American flavor, like in the old WISHBONE ASH, even if here there's one guitar only.

"Don't Be Afraid" opens with celtic harp. I immediately thought to CLANNAD, but just few seconds after the samba rhythm and the flute bring me back to 1970 with CARAVAN's "If I could do...", but with Linda's voice adding colour to the grey. A clear remind to CLOSE TO THE EDGE played by the flute is remarkable.

The bonus CD is closed by an alternative version of Bàbu.

So how to rate it? I'm sorry that we don't have the possibility to rate 4.5 stars. It's very close to be a masterpiece and it's surely an album that will take a lot of time before leaving my playlist. So I'm giving 4 stars but I'm not very generous. The good that Dante's Inferno had let me glimpse was just a little hint of what this band can do. Strong melodies, very good arrangements and a great musicianship. What more can we ask for?

Good luck staying in a rotten mood after hearing this. Yesterdays was kind enough to send me a copy of Colours Caffé in exchange for a few words. I have listened to this many mornings on the way to work, and it has never failed to lift my spirits, and I have no idea what that European lady is singing. She has a lovely voice (and a face to match if I may be so bold!). This band has an incredible sense of melody and stylish instrumental breaks. I love the keyboardists' choice of tones. Yes' Fly From Here (and becoming a teacher again) brought me out of a three-year funk; Yesterdays' Colours Caffé has helped keep me up there.

"Játék" One of the happiest introductions to an album ever, this peppy song has a Starcastle likeness with quirky synthesizers, punchy bass, and a beautiful voice that drifts in and out.

"Forog a tánc" The catchiest song on the album is this one; I was cheerfully singing it after hearing it once. It bursts in, early Echolyn style with a happy eccentricity, bouncy instrumentation and handclaps to top it off. The flute flutters over heavier guitar lines. The unbridled guitar solo and drumming remind me of IZZ- a good thing, surely.

"Námafilm Szvit I. Éjszaka" The jovial nature of the music takes a break, allowing the band to explore murkier moods. Yet the music still retains a danceable groove and sultry, captivating vocals. Synthesizer and electric guitar trade off leads over an increasing pace. The melody of the refrain is as brilliant as the whistling synthesizer that follows it.

"Némafilm Szvit II. Némafilm" Springy piano begins this second section. The vocals are more restrained, but as lovely as ever. The guitarist does wonderful things with the wah pedal. The middle passage is quiet piano and Mellotron that eases in like a lullaby.

"Némafilm Szvit III. Mélyrepülés" The third part of this piece is an incredible pop rock track that has a most appealing chorus. The drums become quite energetic toward the end.

"Tükör" This merry little tune is centered around acoustic guitar, flute and jovial singing.

"Bábu" Gritty guitar paves the way for a warbling tone. The song becomes jazzy, with a thin 1960s organ sound and dancing flute. At the end, the guitarist shows off some jazz runs.

"Flautoccata" A thick synthesizer booms in, providing a foundation for the woodwinds.

"Megpihensz" Combing Eastern elements with those appealing vocals, this terse track features sparse piano and serene washes of guitar and keyboards.

"Prelúdium egy esőhöz" This next ephemeral work has a moody guitar and a crying trumpet- think 1950s Miles Davis with a clean-picking Adrian Belew. It is one of the most satisfying parts of the album, and I am sad that it wasn't explored further.

"Zápor" That clean electric guitar remains, and the singer delivers an emotional performance. I think this is a good song, but it is not as memorable as what has come before. It does have a fun guitar solo though. I am generally not a fan of long periods of silence to introduce a "hidden track" (still looking at you, Mastodon). After about two minutes of silence, there is an acoustic guitar and flute duet before one final gorgeous vocal performance.

YESTERDAYS latest album is a little different from the debut in that the vocals are now all in Hungarian and as others have mentioned this record is even more sugary (happy) than the debut. For me this is a step down from the debut and I wasn't exactly thrilled with that one either.

"Jatek" is uptempo with a beat and synths standing out. Vocals join in as well. Not a fan. "Forog A Tanc" is another energetic track although the tempo does shift back and forth. Some clapping and sampled mellotron too. The guitar is prominant late to end it. "Ejszaka" is the first of a three part suite called "Namafilm Szvit". This is mellow to start as reserved vocals join in. Tasteful guitar and synths replace the vocals as the beat continues. Vocals return after 4 1/2 minutes and the flute comes in late. "Nemafilm" is the second part and almost 10 minutes long. It's mid-paced with vocals but it does pick up as contrasts continue. Guitar and mellotron 3 minutes in. Flute and mellotron 6 1/2 minutes in as it continues to play out with vocals coming and going. "Melyrepules" ends the suite with vocals, guitar and a beat leading the way. Not a fan.

"Tukor" has strummed guitar, flute and a beat as the vocals join in. Yikes ! Not good at all. "Babu" starts out with guitar, synths and a beat as vocals and flute join in. "Flautoccata" is a short piece with flute throughout. "Megpihensz" opens with acoustic guitar as a beat and reserved vocals join in. Piano too. "Preludium Egy Esohoz" is my favourite because we get no vocals and lots of atmosphere with guest trumpet. It sounds nothing like the others. "Zapor" ends it as we get contrasts between the mellow and fuller sections and there is a hidden track as well.

Considering the debut was a low 3 stars for me, I have to give it the fans only rating. Just not the kind of music I enjoy at all.

Review Nº 737

As happened with many Eastern European countries, the countries in the last century that were beyond the so- called Iron Curtain, Romenia wasn't properly known to be a hot bed for the progressive rock scene. Probably the most know and best progressive rock bands that were born in Romania in the golden era of prog, the 70's, were Phoenix and Sfinx. Phoenix, that was founded in Timisoara in 1962, had an interesting career and was responsible for have written some of the best prog pages on three of the best Romanian albums ever. Sfinx, that was founded in Bucharest in 1963, had a shorter live, but the two albums of the 70's are two very good works, especially the second one. But, since the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of the Soviet Union, some new Romanian prog rock bands were born, among them Yesterdays.

Yesterdays is a symphonic progressive rock band that was founded in Cluj Napoca in 2000. The band plays a complex blend of several styles, basically being a classic symphonic prog band with some jazzy and folk atmospheres. As the band explains, the classical music, jazz, fusion and the traditional music are the main ingredients of their sound. The members of the band grew up listening The Beatles, Yes, Gentle Giant and Pink Floyd. They also say that the classical side of the renaissance music is essential for the usage of polyphonic vocals, besides classic composers like Debussy, Ravel, Bartók and Stravinsky. Despite Yesterdys is a Romanian band, they belong to the Hungarian minority of Western Romania. So, the lyrics are in both English and Hungarian. So, Hungarian folk music is also a very important source.

"Colours Caffé" is the second studio album of Yesterdays and that was released in 2010. The line up on "Colours Caffé" is Horváth Linda (lead vocals), Bogáti-Bokor Ákos (vocals, guitars and keyboards), Enyedi Zsolt (keyboards), Kecskeméti Gábor (flute), Kolumbán Zoltán (bass guitar) and Csergő Domokos (drums). "Colours Caffé" had also the participation of Antal Karola, Ercsey Andrea Emese, Stutz Timea and Horváth Hanna (vocals), Mohai Tamás (guitar), Mihai Sorohan (trumpet), Borlai Gergő (drums) and Kósa Dávid (percussion). All these artists are guest musicians.

"Colours Caffé" is an album that contains only strong pieces of music. The album has been rooted very strong in the progressive rock music of the 70's, in the vein of Jethro Tull, Genesis, King Crimson, Renaissance and Yes. These bands had their heydays in that decade and their music revives on "Colours Caffé". This blends of the 70's prog and fusion works very well here and is worthwhile listening to. The band really achieved something special here. Especially the magnificent keyboard and guitar parts lift this album to a high quality level. The electric guitar and synthesizer solos are performed well and are enjoyable to listen to. That also applies to the voice of Horváth Linda that sings very gently.

The opener "Játék" is a cheerful song with a nice vocal refrain and late 70's synth sounds, a hopping rhythm, a good mood and still with a dash of a true progressive atmosphere. "Forog A Tánc" is a dynamic song with catchy chorus in the style of Yes. It has nice flute melodies and the second part of the song has prog instrumental parts with a guitar solo in Holdsworth's style. "Námafilm Szvit" is a suite divided in three parts "Éjszaka", "Némafilm" and "Mélyrepülés". It's a nice twenty minutes epic that can be heard by effortlessly and where the different sections are seamlessly segued by melody rich interludes, delightful and remarkable flute passages, lots of Mellotron string sounds and the versatile beautiful vocals by Horváth Linda. "Tükör" is a good choice after the big suite, a short folk piece with acoustic guitars and nice flute parts. "Bábu" is the most fun track on the album, a jazzy piece with a retro sound. This is a Jethro Tull's inspired track, a tune with a great Moog sound and a flute extravaganza. "Flautoccata" is a mysterious wonderful short track with a synth and a flute duet plus some subtle guitar playing. "Megpihensz" is a melancholic ballad beautifully sung by Horváth Linda with colorful vocals, nice acoustic guitars and with the presence of the Mellotron. "Prelúdium Egy Esőhöz" is a short intro piece for "Zápor". It includes the trumpet of Mihai Sorohan and a crystal clear guitar work. "Zápor" closes the album in a nice way. It's one of the most accessible tracks on the album with catchy melodic lines, pretty harmonies, fine instrumentation and a beautiful vocal line. There's also a short hidden track with a delicate work.

Conclusion: "Colours Caffé" is a feel-good album par excellence. This is a little gem to be discovered with many catchy tunes. The pure joy of playing of the band that comes towards you is contagious. "Colours Caffé" is a great album with a light progressive atmosphere. The music is a good mix of pop, classical, jazz and progressive influences. It's a fine album and one that become more enjoyable with every listen. I like the use of the flute on the album because it gives the album some folksy and classical atmosphere. I also want to mention the tasteful keyboards that we can hear on the album and with Horváth Linda the band has found a good singer. I've no problem the band sings in Hungarian. The atmosphere of the music isn't affected. This is highly recommended for those who like the melodic prog rock style.

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)