Attila Kollar / Musical Witchcraft - II: Utopia. 2002 Hungary

Attila Kollar was the x-factor in Solaris, and his flute playing and melodic structure is what made that band so special. His next venture - working under the band name Musical Witchcraft - is very similar. At first the all-instrumental album sounded too familiar and a bit stilted, but as the disc goes on, Kollar manages to rise to the occasion and add interesting thematic developments, including easy listening / cocktail jazz. The music possesses an uncommon warmth. A gifted composer, Musical Witchcraft provided the audience with the next generation of Solaris as the group had splintered by then. Very much recommended to Solaris fans, or the groups that influenced them such as Camel and Rousseau.

Ownership: 2002 Periferic. Jewel case release with recording details. 

4//06 (first listen); 12/31/08; 9/18/23 (review / new entry)

Kharmina Buranna - Seres Humanos. 2012 Peru

Seres Humanos continues in the same path, though they aren't as pointedly retro, and their sound has been updated ever so slightly. While the analog keyboards and production are still in full force, the composition style reminds me of the best bands of the early 90s. Gone is the blues rock, and in its place is a more stately sound with added female vocals. I hear a cross between Quaterna Requiem with Solstice in many places (though there is no violin). I found their new album no less enjoyable than the debut, despite a conscious move away from the early 70s style. The compositions are multi threaded and consistently engaging. Kharmina Buranna has certainly put forth a strong argument that they may be the best pure symphonic progressive rock band from South America today.

Ownership: CD: 2012 Azafran (Mexico)

2/18/13 (new entry)

Quaterna Réquiem - O Arquiteto. 2012 Brazil

O Arquiteto is Quaterna Réquiem's first new studio album in 18 years. And really, as far as I'm concerned, it's the first new album by the band since 1990. Quaterna Réquiem has successfully reunited Wiermann and Vogel, along with long time drummer Cláudio Dantas and two new members on guitar and bass, to continue on the legacy they began on Velha Gravura. Unlike the Sithonia reunion that we just wrote about, Quaterna Réquiem eschewed the temptation to go retro with all analog instrumentation. Rather they decided to continue on exactly as if it were 1991 and it was time for a followup album. Still, the production standards are definitely 2012 and the keyboard tones are fatter and better recorded than the 1990 album - so fear not as they wisely upgraded in the production department. The highlight, of course, is the compositional quality which is richly layered and deeply thought out. Violin, piano, synthesizers, and guitar all take their turn at leading the instrumental parade. It's a long instrumental album, as 22 years of ideas come pouring out, that requires close listening to fully appreciate. Quaterna Réquiem were at the forefront of the 1990 progressive movement, one that never really had much chance to spread its wings as the commercial neo-prog bands were dominating the contemporary audience at that time. If you long for the progressive rock sound of the 1990 era such as Solaris' 1990, Nuova Era's Dopo L'Infinito, Minimum Vital's Sarabandes, and Tribute's Terra Incognita, then Quaterna Réquiem's O Arquiteto will fill that void. It brought a rush of memories back for me. Highly recommended.

Ownership: CD: 2012 private

1/8/13 (new entry)

Quaterna Réquiem - Velha Gravura. 1990 Brazil

Quaterna Réquiem were one of the first bands of the late 1980s/early 90s progressive rock renaissance to review the works of the Mediterranean bands such as Quella Vecchia Locanda and Gotic, rather than the standard English "Big 3" of Genesis, Yes, and ELP. As such, their in-depth research of 1970's progressive rock adds a dimension sorely missing from most works of this time frame. Quaterna Réquiem performs a new interpretation of a much missed genre of music - what was once known as "Euro Rock". And the only thing keeping Quaterna Réquiem from classic "retro prog" status, that which is all the rage in 2000+, is the lack of analog keyboard instrumentation. But the compositions, skillful playing, and youthful exuberance carry the day here, so that Hammond organs and mellotrons are hardly necessary. A very fine work from a band that dissolved all too quickly in its original form.

Ownership: CD: 1992 Faunus

My original copy was the LP purchased upon release. It was an easy decision to switch it out for the CD not long after.

1990; 1/8/13 (new entry)