DEJA-VU

Between the Leaves is the sole release by Norwegian one-album wonders Déjà-Vu With a lineup including two ex-members of Høst (Knut Lie on drums and Svein Rønning on guitar) and the late Kai Grønlie on lead vocals, it's a legendary rarity due to originally only being released as a small test pressing. Sadly, the commercial tide had gone against prog at that point, and the album didn't get a more widespread release until 1995, by which point Kai Grønlie had passed on. It's a shame, because whilst most "lost classics" are at best merely very good albums whose reputations have been artificially boosted by their scarcity, this time around the tag really does fit, with the band playing in a style reminiscent of Yes had they gone in a harder-edged direction after The Yes Album. File this under "missed opportunities".

How is surprising theworld of progressive music!!! When you find a lost pearl practically unknown by the majority of the prog maniacs (only one review in Progarchives) you start to think " How many trerasures like this remains in forgetfulness?" Tjis is the case for DEJÁ-Vu "Between the Leaves". The music is a involving merge of hard-rock and symphonic prog. The mainly influences is DEEP PURPLE, MOUNTAIN, something from THE JIMMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE by the hard-rock stream and YES, GENTLE GIANT, ELOY AND PINK FLOYD by the symphonic and space/psychedelic stream. Another very strong characteristic is the use of mellotrons and synths like musical "landscapes" in order to give a pompous atmosphere in some hard moments ( such in a certain Eloy passages) and the harpiscord for make a counterpoint with bass and drums for refine the rhythmic section( which reminds me Gentle Giant) . Highlights for the tracks "Burning Bridges", "Between the Leaves" and "Somebody Cares", this last in my opinion a complete exercise of creation blending with matery this opposite influences. My rate is obviously 5 stars !!!

When Svein Rønning and Knut Lie left Høst after recording their first album, they formed the explicitly symphonic-prog act Deja Vu. The one album they made only got the tiniest of test-pressings on vinyl back in 1976, packaged only in a plain white cover. It's probably the rarest Norwegian prog item, and was exclusively a luxury for wealthy collectors up until its CD reissue in the 90's.

It's quite a pity that it took this long for this album to see the light of day in form of an official release as it's actually quite good. Harald Otterstad is the highlight of the instrumental combo, offering some absolutely sumptuous Moog work, but also enriching it with other keyboard sounds. Hammond, string synth and Clavinet dominate the key-chestration. The sadly late Kai Grønlie is quite expressive on lead vocals, adding much feeling to the music.

About the worst I can say about this album is the cover art is pretty poor. Too 90's "death-metal" looking in style, and un-suited to the music. I'd definitely recommend this album, though. Many a prog fan should be able to glean much enjoyment from it.