(Progressive rock) Banzai - Hora Nata - 1974, MP3, 320 kbps

Banzai was along with Machiavel one of the symphonic progressive rock
bands to come from Belgium in the 70's. Their only album consisted of
complex 70's symphonic progressive rock as typical and traditional as it
possibly can get. Main influences were clearly Yes, Genesis, Focus and
some Gentle Giant. Three of the five tracks are pure instrumentals,
while "Try" and "Three Magicians" features vocals. Especially "Try" has
some convincing Yes-like vocal-harmonies. Personally I feel that
"Obelisk" and "Hattrick" are the best tracks. Both have a great degree of
complexity, and the melodic guitar-playing reminds a lot of Jan Akkerman.
But the whole band sounded like accomplished musicians. A few passages
also include some orchestration. "Hora Nata" is derivative and not very
original in any way, but it's still quite solid stuff if you can't get
enough of that classic 70's symphonic progressive rock sound.

- Peter Torfs / keyboards, vocals
- John MC O / guitars
- Ludwig Kemat / percussion, alto saxophone
- Evert Verhees / bass, vocals
- Erry Foix / drums, percussion