The brilliance comes from the fact that Forgas masterfully composes long suites of music, that never become boring or cliched. If I were to tell you the Forgas Band Phenomena is a jazz rock orchestra - or perhaps even a stage band - I suspect you would start running for the hills screaming NOOO THANKS all the way over. But in effect, that is what we have here. So yes, it does take a sort of genius to write a 34 minute+ song, and manage to keep ones attention throughout. Generally when I see that kind of length I expect a sequence of songs strewn together awkwardly as one. Or perhaps a high brow chamber styled music that forgets to rock out. Or even worse, lengthy instrumental solos to the point of painful, especially of the drum/percussion variety. But no, there's none of that. Sure there are solos - of course - but they are all pithy and impactful. It is progressive rock - meaning it does have heft. There's also a large palette of sounds here including violin, various saxophones, trumpet, sundry keyboards, along with the usual guitar, bass, and drums. The latter provided by band leader Forgas. In this way, Forgas is like Vander - one who never lost a vision and has total control of what that is.
Though this is a live album, it will not seem as such. The first 3 tracks are all new, though the 34 minute opus theoretically was composed for a second album in the late 70s that never materialized. I'm certain it's been much expanded here regardless. The final piece is a live rendition from their second album Extra-Lucide. Excellent album.
Ownership: CD: 2005 Cuneiform (USA)
2005; 12/21/18 (new entry)
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