Yesterdays: Holdfénykert

Hungarian/Romanian prog band Yesterdays released their debut album Holdfénykert (Moonlit Garden) in 2006. This special new edition, handsomely done by the Seacrest Oy label is excellent. The original mixes were used and just slightly tweaked with no compression. So all you audiophiles need to take note because this recording sounds excellent.

The players are Jánosi Kinga (lead and backing vocals), Fülöp Timea (vocals), Kozma Kis Emese (flute), Bazsó Tibor (vocals), Bogáti-Bokor Ákos (acoustic, electric and steel guitar, bass, guitar synthesizer, vocals, keyboards), Csergõ Domokos (drums), Enyedi Zsolt (piano, Mellotron, Hammond organ, Fender Rhodes, Moog), Kósa Dávid (percussion, vocals) and Vitályos Lehel (bass).

I'll say this right from the start, I am really digging this album. There are many strong elements here and not in the least are the stellar female vocals. Janosi has a sublime voice with an excellent range and fills the disc with some fine melodies. Vocals are sung in English and Hungarian. The keyboards are used extensively, including Mellotron in almost every track. There is some excellent Moog playing as well and piano is used to soften the mood. Acoustic and electric guitars also have a pivotal role as they are beautifully interwoven into the fabric of the music. The songs are quite mellow and the acoustic guitar is often featured prominently. The short "If Ever" is a prime example as the acoustic soloing is fabulous. Other notable tracks include "It's so Divine" where ethereal acoustic soundscapes of acoustic guitar and flute meet subtle waves of Mellotron and "Seven", the album's longest track featuring excellent Moog work, tranquil interludes of flute and guitar and a lovely vocal melody. "Somewhere in Space" ends the album featuring an intricate vocal arrangement and some of the best guitar work on the disc.

The album is housed in a trifold digipack with a sixteen page booklet filled with excellent photography and album information. It is a professional and classy looking package.

For mellow symphonic prog it doesn't get much better than Holdfénykert. The lack of heaviness is more than made up for in subtle nuance and tasteful playing. Recommended.

Track Listing:
1. Napfénykert (Sunlit Garden)
2. Végtelen (Infinite)
3. Ne félj (Don't Be Scared)
4. La majd egyszer (If Ever)
5. It's so Divine
6. Hol vagy? (Where Are You?)
7. Várj még (Just Stay)
8. Holdfénykert (Moonlit Garden)
9. Seven
i. Your Colours
ii. My Words
10. Valahol a térben (Somewhere in Space)

Added: January 14th 2015
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Band's Official Site
Hits: 2081
Language: english

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