BIRDS

3.5 FROM ME Now this is a real treat!!. Trace were a dutch trio in the vain of ELP lead by keyboard virtuoso Rick van der linden (formerly of FOCUS). In my opinion this trio is much better then ELP and van der linden is a more acomplished KB player than Keith Emerson. The album is very much rooted in the baroque with influences from rock,jazz , and in a way a funky groove (from holland!!) delivered mainly by base player Jaap van Eik who delivers a solid performence and even takes a few leads in some of the parts. The album includes two versions of BACH compostions ,bouree (not jethro tull) and opus 1065 . the former is the album opener and really a great fast paced track and the latter a great track which opens very innocently as a nice standard CAMELesque piece (moonmadness era) and turns into a full classic baroque peace in cluding a stunning solo performence by CURVED AIR violinist Darryl Way who was a good friend of Van der Linden. but what am i talking so much listen to opus 1065 right now in this great site!. The rest of the tracks include some nice jazzy pieces (Janny, Penny) and of course the great long composition King-bird which is really great and describes a concept about birds living in a city as human beings. I forgot to mention that the album is basically instrumental except for some singing (in a deep dutch accent by van eik) in king-bird and some monkey (MONKEY!!) sounds on the opener. If i had to describe the sound of this band then i would consider a blend of early CAMEL,FOCUS,and maybe a bit of THE NICE. Tracks 8 and 9 are bonus tracks added by the MUSEA reissue, they are nice but not essential. I will give this 3.5 stars as it is good and performed by real masters of their instruments but not essential because he composions lack that certain something making the songs last in your head for days. Thats it from me, have a great day and thank you for reading my review. ISRAELPROGHEAD