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This CD is a compilation from my favorite Belgian symphonic rock band Machiavel their first five studio albums, recorded between 1976 (Machiavel) and 1980 (New Lines). Fortunately the emphasis is on the more symphonic rock era, later Machiavel made more polished and rock-based music (as you can hear on the tracks Fly, Over The Hill, Champagne In Amsterdam, Turn Off and Fade Away). Machiavel was inspired by Genesis and Yes but managed to create an own, very distinctive sound, based upon good, a bit high-pitched vocals, wonderful vintage keyboards, varied guitar work and a decent rhythm-section. The compositions sound elaborate and alternating: dreamy with twanging acoustic guitars, mellow synth drops and Mellotron waves and warm vocals in Rope Dancer and Mary, dynamic and ultra bombastic (exciting Moog flights and choir Mellotron) in Beyond The Silence and varied in Jester (from mid-tempo rock to compelling symphonic rock with lush keyboards ans sensitive electric guitar), Wisdom (howling guitar and great synth sounds), Rebirth (sparkling piano, majestic choir- Mellotron and flashy Moog runs) and Johan's Brother Told Me (wonderful string-ensemble sound and warm vocals in a melancholic climate).

THIS IS A GOOD INTRODUCTION TO THE BEST BELGIAN SYMPHONIC ROCK BAND!!

This Machiavel compilation is very pleasant. Of course, several tracks available on prior ones sound redundant here, but I guess that if you should have one of their compilations this one is probably the best one to get.

Of course "After The Crop" is missing (one of their best song ever written), but this one is a good mix between their prog days (eight songs) as well as of their pop ones (five songs).

All their (Belgian) hits are here of course and this compilation stops at "New Lines" (thank god) : so, you'll get "Fly", Over The Hill" as well as "Champagne In Amsterdam".

The core of this work is made out of "Mechanical Moonbeam", one of their two best albums IMO. No less than five songs are featured, of which the very much "Genesis" oriented "The Fifth Season" and "Beyond The Silence" and the quite and Trespass-esque "Mary" (so, three genesis ones here). And it was difficult to avoid the superb rock ballad "Rope Dancer".

Their early days are less well illustrated with three songs out of their first two albums. But a song as "Jester" is always an enchantment to listen to. And "Wisdom" is also an excellent choice from this great album (their second best).

If you don't know the band, this is an excellent introduction to grab. Four stars for this very good collection of songs.