TRACE - Discography 3 Albums 1974-76 / 5CD (2014) LIMITED EDITION / FLAC (tracks), lossless

Rick van der Linden's father was a pianoplayer, so it was not a surprise that young Rick took piano-lessons. Later he started to learn playing the organ and finally he went to the Haarlem Conservatory. He played in many bands and nightclubs and was impressed by Brian AUGER and Keith EMERSON. Rick got worldwide recognition with the 'classic-rock formula' from EKSEPTION but he wanted his own band to show his keyboard pyrotechnics. He founded TRACE with bass player Jaap van Eik (CUBY AND THE BLIZZARDS, The MOTIONS, SOLUTION, LIVING BLUES) and drummer Pierre van der Linden (TEE SET, BRAINBOX, FOCUS), a real Dutch supergroup! Now he got the opportunity to work out his own ideas with keyboard-dominated symphonic rock. In '74 TRACE released their eponymous debut-album, in '75 their second entitled "Birds" (Ian Mosley had replaced Pierre van der Linden) and in '76 their third and final "Ladies". TRACE is a kind of Dutch equivalent to early ELP but Rick has a wider array of keyboards, including Hammond B3 organ, Hohner clavinet and pianet, ARP - and EMI synthesizers, harpsichord, Solina string-ensemble, Mellotron and church organ. He even used the sound of a bagpipe! The music is a treat for fans from bands like The NICE, ELP, TRIUMVIRAT and early LE ORME. Despite good albums, great concerts and worldwide recognition, Trace didn't work out the high expectations and the 'supertrio' dissolved in the late Seventies. Nowadays Jaap van Eik is chief-editor from the technical based music magazine Music Maker and Rick is after many years again on tour with a new EKSEPTION line-up, including a magnificent digital church organ and his wife on vocals.

The first two albums "Trace" and "Birds" (released on CD with bonustracks by Musea Records) deliver exciting, often sumptuous, keyboard driven symphonic rock: the mainly instrumental music is loaded with virtuosic keyboard runs, swirling Hammond organ and majestic Mellotron eruptions from wizard Rick van der Linden, supported by a powerful and propulsive rhythm-section. In my opinion the tracks on "Birds" sound more elaborate and refined. The epic composition "King-bird" (featuring Jaap van Eik on electric guitar) showcases the hugh potential of TRACE: dazzling keyboard runs, many changes of climate and dynamic interplay. The third album "Ladies" is a lacklustre effort, the band was running out of ideas. This record turned out to be their swansong. Progarchives

1974 - Trace [Philips] 2014, Pseudonym [2CD]

This is the first release by the Dutch group Trace, formed in 1973 by keyboardist Rick van der Linden (previously the leader of Ekseption) with drummer Pierre van der Linden (from the group Focus) and bassist Jaap van Eik (with various groups). As expected, van der Linden's keyboards pretty much dominate the session, which is a decent effort by progressive rock standards. "Galliarde" blends part of Bach's "Italian Concerto in F major" (BMV 971) with a traditional Polish dance that originated in the 13th century. This piece incorporates a small pipe organ, a Hammond organ, and a mellotron. It segues into van Eik's "Gare le Corbeau" (primarily a feature for electric bass) before returning to a reprise of "Galliarde." Grieg's "The Death of Ace" (from his "Peer Gynt Suite") begins with a piano solo by the leader, before the tedious mellotron returns to simulate a mournful choir; van der Linden's synthesizer playing also leaves a lot to be desired on this track. Among van der Linden's originals on this record, "The Escape of the Piper" blends a touch of jazz with a whimsical inclusion of bagpipes; while "Once" features the keyboardist on organ in an up-tempo blues groove, as well as a bit of electric harpsichord and a good bit of musical humor. Less successful is "Progression," which is a bit long and bombastic, or "The Lost Past," which is an extended drum solo by Pierre van der Linden. While Trace followed up this release with two additional recordings before disbanding, this is their best record. by Ken Dryden  
Tracklist:

Disc 1 [1:16:52]:

1. Gaillarde - Part One (6:23)
2. Gare Le Corbeau (2:05)
3. Gaillarde - Part Two (4:36)
4. Death Of Ace (5:16)
5. Escape Of The Piper (3:11)
6. Once (4:13)
7. Progression (12:04)
8. A Memory - Part One (3:48)
9. Lost Past (3:27)
10. A Memory - Part Two (1:43)
11. Final Trace (3:50)
12. Progress [single version] (4:04)
13. Tabu (4:14)
Bonus Tracks, Previously Unreleased:
14. Bach-Atel [single version] (3:30)
15. Another World [demo] (5:14)
16. Gnome Dance [demo] (5:07)
17. Final Trace [demo] (3:52)
Disc 2 [1:15:27]:
Bonus Tracks, Previously Unreleased:
1. Fairy Tale – Overture (4:48)
2. A Swedish Largo (19:46)
3. Gnome Dance (4:29)
4. Nocturne (6:01)
5. Bach-Atel (4:11)
6. Another World (5:10)
7. Escape Of The Piper [extended version] (5:21)
8. Once [jam] (6:00)
9. A Memory [demo] (8:47)
10. Swedish Largo [demo] (5:49)
11. Once [demo] (4:50)
Credits

- Rick Van Der Linden / keyboards

- Jaap Van Eik / bass, guitar

- Pierre Van Der Linden / drums

1975 - Birds [Philips] 2014, Pseudonym [2CD]

This is the second of three records by Trace, a trio led by keyboardist Rick van der Linden. By the time they recorded their second LP just one year after taping their debut, they had already

undergone a change in personnel, with Ian Mosely replacing Pierre van der Linden on drums. The album's first side is sort of an extended suite, though it is an incongruous mix of pipe organ with a plodding electric bass and drums during "King Bird." "Preacher Bird" features a weak lyric sung with little feeling by bassist Jaap van Eik and has a prominent role for the acoustic piano, although the synthesizer and harpsichord sneak in as well. "Bouree" is taken from Bach's "English Suite No. 2 in A minor" (BMV 807) and is turned into a miniature hard rocker before it deteriorates into a comical midsection with fake bird calls and a tiresome vamp. But "Opus 1065," the leader's interpretation of Bach's "Concerto for Harpsichord and Strings in A minor" (BMV 1065) never picks up sufficient steam, though it features some tasty violin by guest Darryl Way. The one true bright spot of this release is van der Linden's sprightly solo piano arrangement of jazzman Bix Beiderbecke's "In a Mist," which unfortunately is barely over a minute in length. The downhill slide of Trace on this second LP is painfully obvious, so it is doubtful that there is much demand for this long-deleted record. by Ken Dryden  

Tracklist:

Disc 1 [42:46]:

1. Bourrée (2:27)

2. Snuff (2:25)

3. Janny - In A Mist (1:13)

4. Opus 1065 (7:45)

5. Penny (2:42)

6. Trixie-Dixie 0:26)

7. Birds - Suite (21:59)

Bonus Track:

8. Birds [single version] (3:39)

Disc 2 [50:11]:

Bonus Tracks, Previously Unreleased:

1. Birds [live] (5:16)

2. Tabu [live] (11:47)

3. Gaillarde [live] (11:06)

4. King-Bird [live] (2:15)

5. Gaillarde [live] (6:26)

6. Snuff [live] (2:32)

7. Gaillarde – Reprise [live] (3:29)

8. Birds [live] (3:15)

9. Peace Planet [live] (4:02)

Credits

- Rick Van Der Linden / keyboards

- Jaap Van Eik / bass, guitar, vocals

- Ian Mosley / drums, timpani, gong, tambourine

Guests:

- Darryl Way / acoustic & electric violin on "Opus 1065"

- Coen Hoedeman / assorted monkeys on "Bourrée"

1976 - The White Ladies [Vertigo] 2014, Pseudonym

It was painfully obvious that the group Trace was already a memory as this final release was being recorded. Keyboardist Rick van der Linden, its founder, is the only remaining member from either of Trace's previous two records. This LP is a dreadful concept album, van der Linden's musical interpretation of an old Dutch legend about "The White Ladies," which dates from the Middle Ages. Van der Linden recruited a few associates from his old band Ekseption, including bassist Cor Dekker and drummer Peter de Leeuwe, as well as additional musicians. But Harry Schafer's narration is stifling, and singer Hetti Smit's vocals are forgettable, as is all of the original music. The leader's reworking of classical compositions by Beethoven is also of little help. Following this recorded fiasco, it is safe to say that Rick van der Linden and Trace sank without a trace. Skip this turkey.  by Ken Dryden

Tracklist:

1. Legend - Part One (3:29)

2. Interlude - Part One (0:20)

3. Confrontation (2:37)

4. Interlude - Part Two (0:48)

5. Dance Of The White Ladies (1:34)

6. Doubts (3:28)

7. Trace - Part One (0:16)

8. Witches' Dance (2:37)

9. Surrender (2:12)

10. Interlude - Part Three (0:36)

11. Pathétique (2:26)

12. Legend - Part Two (2:19)

13. Interlude - Part Four (0:10)

14. Rescue (3:47)

15. Trace - Part Two (0:26)

16. Back Home (3:18)

17. Meditation {For René} (3:58)

18. Flashback (0:33)

19. Conclusion (3:34)

Bonus Tracks, Previously Unreleased:

20. Matthäus Passion [demo] (2:02)

21. Interlude – Part Two [demo] (0:44)

22. Dance Of The White Ladies [demo] (1:40)

23. Doubts [demo] (3:50)

24. Witches’ Dance [demo] (2:53)

25. Pathétique [demo] (2:56)

26. Legend [demo] (2:42)

27. Interlude – Part Four [demo] (0:14)

28. Back Home [demo] (2:17)

29. Meditation {For René} [demo] (4:16)

30. Flashback [demo] (0:32)

31. Conclusion [demo] (4:45)

32. Back Home [demo] (2:50)

33. Fugue [live] (2:28)

Credits

- Rick Van Der Linden / keyboards

- Cor Dekker / bass

- Peter de Leeuwe / drums

- Dick Remelink / saxes, flute

- Hans Jacobse / additional keyboards

- Hetty Smit / vocals

- Harry Schafer / narrator