Omega is supposed to be Hungary's greatest rock band. Or, at least, the only one that managed to escape its country's margins and get known internationally. I know what you'll say, the iron curtain etc, but I think it has to do with how open cultures are to outside influences and maybe how they present themselves to the outside world. Even 20 years ago, I knew of Hungary's Omega, Czechoslovakia's Plastic People Of The Universe, Yugoslavia's Bijelo Dugme (you know, Bregovic's group) but I couldn't readily name a 60's/70's rock band from Austria, Switzerland or Portugal. Ω were apparently popular in the two Germanies, Poland and elsewhere and even recorded and released a beat album in the UK with the help of the of The Spencer Davis Group's manager. Despite their relative success at the time, their albums aren't all that common in Greece (or in the Netherlands). So when I found this for a nice price, I bought it. It catches the band in transition between psychedelic pop and the progressive space-rock for which they're mostly famous for. Opener "Petróleum lámpa" is a fast number with country harmonica and boogie woogie piano. Typical 60's, could be Chris Farlowe if not for the obnoxious vocals - although maybe I shouldn't blame the singer but the Hungarian language itself: It sounds like an unholy mixture of Turkish and Slavic or, more accurately, like no other human language at all. Not that easy on the ears usually, though it didn't stop me from enjoying "Gyöngyhajú lány", the album's high point. A gorgeous ballad (later covered by the Scorpions as "White Dove"- and the Scorpions really know ballads). It features atmospheric organ, fluid guitar, soft lead vocals and big harmonies on the chorus. "Túzvihar" and "Nem tilthatom meg" are Hendrix-inspired hard rock, while "Félbeszakadt koncert" shows more similarities to Led Zeppelin. All three are excellent. "Udvari bolond kenyere" and "Halott viragok" are closer to the Kinks circa 1967 and "Kérgeskezú favágök" a soul-jazz instrumental with a long drum solo. "Tékozló fiúk" is a crazy one and a personal favorite, a fuzz guitar monster blending prog grandiosity, hard rock aggressiveness, garage punk attitude and what sounds like a seriously pissed-off ghost at backing vocals. The album's namesake "Tizezer lépés" is another prog/hard rock dynamite, with impressive organ and guitar work reminiscent of Deep Purple from the same period, while "Az 1958-as boogie-woogie klubban" is what the title (probably) says, a retro rock'n'roll number. Once again, the language sounds wrong and it comes out like Borat impersonating Elvis - but in a fun way. "Régi csibészek" is a whimsical country stomp while "Spanyolgitar legenda", "Volt egy bohóc" and "Naplemente" are Renaissance-flavored folk with flutes, strings etc. This album proves that music knows no national or political boundaries, as it shows Hungarian rockers to be every bit the equal of their English and American contemporaries, at the forefront of the progressive movement and impressive instrumentalists - especially the guitarist and organist. If the singer was half as good, I'd even call it a cornerstone of its genre.
***** for Gyöngyhajú lány
**** for Tekozlo fiuk, Tizezer lepes, Félbeszakadt koncert
*** for Petróleum lámpa, Túzvihar, Udvari bolond kenyere, Kergeskezu favagok, Az 1958-as boogie-woogie klubban, Spanyolgitár legenda, Nem tilthatom meg, Volt egy bohóc, Naplemente
** for Halott virágok, Régi csibészek
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