Fermáta - [ Reissue of two LP’s on one CD --- LP Fermata (1975) and LP Pieseň z hôľ (1976) ]

Original LP covers

FLAC / CUE / LOG / Hi Res Scans

pass: slafko1

Studio Albums, released in 1975 and 1976

Track Listings
LP Fermata (1975)
1. Rumunská rapsódia (5:52)
2. Perpetuum II (10:27)
3. Postavím si vodu na čaj (4:20)
4. Valčík pre krstnú mamu (7:03)

LP Pieseň z hôľ (1976)
5. Pieseň z hôľ (11:07)
6. Svadba na medvedej lúke (4:15)
7. Posledný jarmok v Radvani (4:41)
8. Priadky (7:37)
9. Dolu Váhom (2:20)
10. Vo zvolene zvony zvonia (10:10)

Total Time: 68:52

Fermáta 1975: Line-up/Musicians
- Tomáš Berka / keyboards
- František Griglák / guitar
- Anton Jaro / bass, percussion
- Peter Szapu / drums, percussion

Fermáta’s debut album is certainly a masterpiece in its own rights, but for Griglak, this was not a first oeuvre as he had passed through Brastislava’s Collegium Musicum and before that Prudy. The group is definitely the vehicle for the two frontmen, Griglak and keyboardist Tomas Berka, but by all means the rhythm section is never far behind as both bassist Anton Jaro and Peter Szapu are both excellent as well. A cool abstract music-related artwork graces the sleeve of this eponymous album.

Indeed this quartet plays a spotless jazz-rock that can be likened to Mahavishnu Orchestra, and when getting more symphonic (usually via Berka’s synths) they can sound like Finch or Iceberg. The opening Romanian Rhapsody is a typical Fermáta track, that can round-up most of the group’s characteristics, but then again, almost the same can be said of every track on this album. In this first album, it is difficult to tell which leader writes which track, as the writing is consistent and very even. While not exactly groundbreaking, it is a pleasant surprise to find such excellent progressive music not only existed (that was to be expected) on the other side of the iron curtain during the cold war, but that it was fairly well produced and recorded.

Pieseň z hôľ 1976: Line-up/Musicians
- Tomáš Berka / keyboards, percussion
- František Griglák / guitar, vocals, keyboards
- Anton Jaro / bass
- Milan Tedla / violin, Jew's harp
- Cyril Zeleňák / drums, percussion

Second album from this Slovak combo that experienced their first line-up changed with Zelenak taking over the drum stool and an added violinist named Milan Tedla but as a guest musician only. These changes would not affect the group’s sound much, even if Berka’s presence is better felt and sounding a tad more symphonic, but still remaining franticly jazz-rock/fusion.

The opening title track, Song From Bridges, is giving right off the starting block the colours that will dominate the album, especially the McLaughlin-like lightning-fast guitar playing from Griglak, but Berka’s synth sometimes sounds like a moog. In this album, you can start telling who is the songwriter, especially on the closing track, where Berka’s keyboards are all over (a bit unfortunately) the 10- min epic that had started so well. Sadly, this last track lowers, IMHO, the general level of the album, but it still remains extremely excellent, but I prefer their debut.

Although the 2-album-on-1 Cd doesn’t hold the fifth track (Perpetuum III) of their debut album, you can safely jump on that release as this first album is at least as good as their sophomore effort, this particular release even getting an extra half star, making it 5 in all.

Releases information
Fermáta: LP Opus 9115 0374
Pieseň z hôľ: LP Opus 9116 0521

This album is a 2-for-1 CD release of the original studio albums 'Fermáta' and 'Pieseň Z Hôľ' except that one song from 'Fermáta' is missing [Perpetuum III]