Experimental Q is a 70’s Romanian Progressive Rock band, whose recordings have been in a drawer for nearly 50 years. Today they can finally be published thanks to a precious refreshment work from the original tapes. After the release of “Amintiri Despre Viitor” in the summer of 2022 “Dans Marțian” will be released via DJs Techno Conference only on LP. It contains 8 tracks ranging from 3 to over 11 minutes, which confirm the good things heard on the previous album, tracing the 70’s sounds on the style of the ELP. The album opens with “Monstrul Apelor” recorded in 1974, which begins with a guitar and vocal arpeggio, and then with a change evolve the song with an intricate rhythm. The keyboard virtuosity is at the center of the sound, recalling bands like ELP, driving bass lines and continuous tempo changes that enhance the individual technique of the artists involved. Seue “Imn Lui Giordano Bruno” also recorded in 1974, with intertwining keyboard and guitar of exquisite workmanship, follows the heaviest sounds of the time. It is the shortest of the album, but it does not lack intensity and intricate textures, highlighting a more choral and less virtuous sound. “Spre Univers 2” instead comes from 1975 and begins with a good intertwining between keyboard and flute that duet in solos, with the guitar at the melodic line. The rhythmic session is pulled and elaborated with a technical drumming and a killer bass line, a truly engaging passage of the album that recalls the English Prog bands with cues like Jethro Tull and Isaiah. Like many groups of the ’70s they also proposed a classical music piece in a Prog key and it is “Preludiu În Sol Minor De Bach.” the guitar is a great protagonist with an acid solo that leaves room for the organ in the final. “Spre Univers” is the first part of the previous song recorded in 1974, an intricate and frenetic track centered on a prolonged guitar solo. The finale is enriched by a tempo change that brings the sound to softer textures, with the guitar always at the center of the scene. “Atlantida” is a concentrate of power and really engaging Prog sound, which stands out all the instruments with continuous tempo changes. In the central part an instrumental section with acoustic guitar arpeggios, before a final characterized by a long scratchy guitar solo. A short but intense track “Zorile” is more delicate and in the form of a ‘song’ with a warm and expressive vocal and interweaving of guitar and keyboard. The intensity increases with the passage of the piece that closes in a musical crescendo. The disc closes with a track from the 1975 recordings “Cvintetul Nr. 2” with a markedly symphonic style and with a sweet flute to guide the melodies. With the passing of the minutes it becomes more and more elaborate, with frenetic and intricate passages where the individual technique is highlighted. A track in pure 70’s style, which pleasantly concludes this good listening. A pleasant listening, which takes us back to the 70s and makes us take a journey through the sounds of this band that would have deserved better luck at the time. Engaging, dynamic and with very technical passages and with that unmistakable sound that only the 70s made us listen to. Lovers of Progressive sounds will have with this Lp the opportunity to appreciate the talent of this band which, thanks to this record box and its precious work, can now be listened to and valued properly.
Purchase the album here: https://www.diggersfactory.com/vinyl/247051/experimental-q-dans-martian
Tracklist
FACE A
01. Monstrul Apelor = The Water Monster (1974) (06:09)
02. Imn Lui Giordano Bruno = Hymn To Giordano Bruno (1974) (03:11)
03. Spre Univers 2 = Towards The Universe 2 (1975) (05:04)
04. Preludiu În Sol Minor De Bach = Prelude In G Minor By Bach (1973) (03:54)
05. Spre Univers = Towards The Universe (1974) (05:11)
FACE B
01. Atlantida = Atlantis (1974) (07:27)
02. Zorile = The Dawn (1973) (03:49)
03. Cvintetul Nr. 2 = Quintet No. 2 (1975) (11:36)
Lineup
Nicolae Bocaciu / Bass
Nicolae Delioran / Drums
Gheorghe Marcovici / Flute (A3-B3)
Valentin Farcaș / Guitar and Vocals
Eugen Tunariu / Keyboards, Organ