Along with fellow countrymen MACHIAVEL, BANZAI were a Belgian quintet from the mid-70's of the typical GENESIS/YES school of prog. They made one album and then disbanded after their record company went bankrupt. Their music features elaborate compositions with layered keyboards, melodic guitar solos reminiscent of Jan Akkerman's, and high-pitched vocals that will immediately remind listeners of Jon Anderson. The band consisted of Peter Torfs on keyboards and vocals, John M.C. O. on guitars, Ludwig Kemat on percussion and alto sax, Evert Verhees on bass and vocals, and Erry Foix on drums and percussion.
The cd version of their album "Hora Nata" contains everything the band has ever recorded: 5 lengthy pieces subdivided into smaller parts plus 6 bonus tracks that are slightly more accessible than the rest. This material is not very original by today's standards but the musicianship is solid, featuring lots of Hammond organ and even a brass section.
Recommended if you like classic 70's symphonic prog with lots of organ, old keyboard sounds, jamming guitars, some quirky rhythms and lots of breaks. Progarchives
Tracklist
1 You Always Like An Entree? 2:13
Written-By – Erry Fox, Evert Verhees
2 Try (7:44)
Written-By – Erry Fox, Evert Verhees
2a Hopeful Strive
2b Step By Step
2c Find The Way
3 Obelisk (11:06)
Written-By – Erry Fox, Evert Verhees
3a Like A Stalagmite
3b Hora Nata
3c Stalagmites In My Jam
3d Wet The Ropes
4 Hattrick (7:32)
Written-By – Erry Fox, Evert Verhees
4a My First Hot-Pants
4b Kick And Rush
4c The Final Was The Third Game
Three Magicians (Part 1) (12:13)
Written-By – Erry Fox, Evert Verhees
5a Once
5b Theme Of The Rainbow
5c Bermst
5d We'll Bring You The Sun
Bonus Tracks
6 Hora Nata 2:58
Written-By – E. Fox, E. Verhees
7 Good Morning Life 3:44
Written-By – E. Fox, E. Verhees
8 We'Re So Sorry 3:06
Written-By – Banzai
9 Be Careful Now 3:26
Written-By – Banzai
10 Talking About My Love 3:07
Written-By – E. Fox, E. Verhees
11 On The Rocks 3:01
Written-By – E. Fox, E. Verhees
Credits
Arranged By, Producer – Luc Smets (tracks: 6, 7)
Bass Guitar, Synthesizer [Bass Pedals], Vocals – Evert Verhees
Conductor [Violins] – A. Speguel (tracks: 1 to 5)
Drums, Percussion – Erry Fox
Guitar [Guitars], Alto Vocals – John McO
Horns – C. Focant (tracks: 1 to 5), J. Lasselin (tracks: 1 to 5)
Keyboards, Vocals – Peter Torfs
Percussion, Alto Saxophone – Ludwig Kemat
Tenor Saxophone – F. Maes (tracks: 1 to 5)
BANZAI - Hora Nata [1974]
Pseudonym Records 1999 Remastered / CBR320 / scans
O Púbis da Rosa
