HORA NATA

After releasing CD's from Finch and Kayak the Dutch label Pseudonym Records (their sub- label Transmission released Ayreon) decided to bring out this fine album from Belgium. Fellow reviewer and neighbour Hugues already wrote an extensive review so I keep it shorter. To me Banzai often sounds like early Camel: fluent and pleasant rhythms, a very melodic and harmonic sound and a focus on flowing electric guitarplay and a wide range of keyboards (organ, strings, piano and the famous Moog synthesizer). Except for the short intro (2 minutes), all other 5 songs from the album "Hora nata" (from 1974) are between 7 and 13 minutes. The integration of instruments like the marimba, metalophone, vibes, violins and horns make Banzai sound more original than just in the vein of Camel. The musicians are skilled, the rhythm-section is great, in fact this is a good progrock album from Belgium, including 6 bonustracks (from 1974-75).