Fermata ~ Slovakia

Dunajská Legenda (1980)

Fermata's 4th album Dunajská Legenda sees the band moving towards the jazz fusion center, which was all the rage back then (though probably two to three years behind the west in retrospect). Opener 'Wlkina' is the typical funky fusion piece, that at first is off-putting, but has a fine mid section. The remainder of Side 1 is quite good, more towards an instrumental prog rock, with excellent melodies and songwriting. Side 2 again gravitates toward the fusion normality. But each track, no matter how trite, manages to squeeze in a few good instrumental passages. In the end, Dunajská Legenda borders excellence, but falls a hair short. A fine album that has aged well for me.

Ownership: 1999 Bonton (CD). The CD can be a bit confusing if not paying attention. The first track 'Perpetuum III' is from their debut album (1975), and even though there are bonus tracks at the end of the disc, this title is not noted as such, and appears to be Dunajská Legenda's opening. It's incongruous to what Fermata were doing in 1980. The reason they did this is, up to that time, the track had not been reissued on CD, so they just added it to this album to complete the task. A kludgy solution at best. Those two other bonus tracks, as mentioned above, are nothing special however. Acquired in 2000.

2000; 9/9/17 (review)

Fermata (1975)

Fermata's debut is a hard hitting fusion album from arguably Slovakia's finest group. Where Fermata creates separation from many of their peers is they never take their eye off of the composition, and actually know how to craft a memorable melody. So it's not just pyrotechnics, though there's plenty of that here too. Some fine psych edged guitar, Rhodes Electric Piano, and fat 70s analog synthesizers to bathe in here. Great start for the band.

Ownership: 1997 Bonton (CD) With Pieseň z Hôľ. Unfortunately this CD compilation leaves off the 11 minute track 'Perpetuum III'. The 1999 CD of Dunajská Legenda does include this piece. And that's the way I own the first album as a whole. Acquired in 1997.

First copy: 1975 Opus (LP). Acquired in 1995.

1995; 1997; 4/15/13; 11/15/14 (review)

Pieseň z Hôľ (1977)

Pieseň z Hôľ sees Fermata taking the debut and amping it up a bit. A little bit more diverse this go round from a compositional perspective, but difficult to imagine fans of the debut - or of the hard hitting Mahavishnu Orchestra styled progressive fusion - being disappointed here. And 'Priadky' has one of those kind of hard driving bass riffs you're not likely to forget soon. What a groove. Great guitar and keyboard work as expected. Another splendid album from Slovakia's finest.

Ownership: 1997 Bonton (CD) With Fermata.

First copy: 1977 Opus (LP). Acquired in 1990.

1990; 1997; 4/15/13; 11/15/14 (review)

Also own: Huascaran

Once owned: Simile

11/22/14 (new entry)