Osiris - Myths And Legends (1984)

Artista: Osiris

Álbum: Myths And Legends
Año: 1984
Género: Neo-progresivo
Duración: 44:50
Nacionalidad: Reino de Bahrain

Lista de Temas:
1. Myths And Legends
2. Free Like The Wind
3. Voyage
4. Dreams Of A Jester
5. Wasted
6. Who Remembers
7. The Power

Alineación:
- Mohamed Al-Sadeqi / guitar, vocals
- Abdul Razak-Aryan / keyboards, vocals
- Nabil Alsadeqi / drums
- Sabah Alsadeqi / lead vocals
- Abdul Razzak Arian / organ and other keyboards
- Nader Sharif / piano and other keyboards
- Ali Khonji / bass

Otro aporte de Alejandro del grupo bahreiní en su segundo álbum oficial de estudio, otro lindo disco, sin ser ninguna maravilla, pero donde se nota que cada vez fueron puliendo más su estilo, ascendiendo de menos a más. No voy a escribir mucho porque si les gustó el disco anterior, bastante visitado por cierto, este te va a gustar más. Por el contrario, si no te gusta el neo-progresivo y le tienes alergia al género, mejor buscate otro disquito porque ésto no será de tu agrado.

Vamos con comentarios en inglés y a otra cosa. Otro disquito de los árabes progresivos que cantan en inglés y tienen nombre de faraón egipcio...

By 1984, prog and wordy pop had given birth to neo prog, so it is perhaps no coincidence that some of its faculties would have permeated the sophomore effort by Osiris. Nonetheless, the band forged its own style, and on "Myths and Legends", they find a more consistent groove. Yet the tracks are less uniform than on the first album, resulting in greater listener attention and pleasure.
The title track is a bold kickoff, including vocoders and lots of fine melodies on guitars and synthesizer. While "Free Like the Wind" features phonetic sounding vocals, it somehow works in a German symphonic way. The lengthy instrumental "Voyage" is one of the best tracks, starting softly and changing moods frequently. There is no virtuosity on display here, merely exuberance and an instinct for harmony and romance in the broadest sense. It ends as it began, reflectively. "Drams of a Jester" is really a soft rock tune with light prog undertones. It's a trifle too sweet, but I believe it broke Osiris into the big time in their own country. My favourite is "Wasted", with its mildly subversive lyrics, sharp rhythm guitar backdrop and a palette of keyboards. It's kind of like CAMEL circa "Moonmadness", with some FM "Black Noise" thrown in.
Because of a couple of weaker closing numbers, I cannot grant legendary status to this effort, but it's a near myth.

Keneth Levine

When Prog was created back in Biblical times, bones raised in defiance as armed hordes roamed the earth, there was a condition set by the elders that this type of adventure would know no national borders and eschew militant partisanship aka Fanboyism (yeah! right!) but it must be stated that prog has certainly landed on some strange beaches around the globe. The usual European suspects are par for the course, the South/Latin Americas equally and Asia, well they will try anything! But this oddball recording comes from the sweltering sands of Bahrain, a small mega oil-rich emirate in the Persian Gulf. Guess they really picked up the Camel/Floyd/Genesis records while studying in England, looks like the head rested Bedouins certainly did. The opening salvo is an interesting romp, lightly symphonic and showing perhaps more spirit than technical chops. Learning the intricacies of prog as they studied, the overall mood is slightly amateurish but in a good sense. "Free Like the Wind" has some nimble moments and some sloppier ones too, but the guitar solo is pretty decent, fast and furious when prompted. The repetitive groove is intoxicating and flogs the progressional elements with devious merriment. The vocals are a bit amateurish and yet really don't spoil the instrumental brio displayed, the bass romping along, the guitarist flowering into multiple blooms, vivid when needed and certainly very willing to suggest awe. "Voyage" sounds a lot like their signature tune, loaded with simple elegance and distinctive flair, far from any clone, the players expressing themselves according to a fabulous tradition that flickers still today. The synths are swirling in the sandstorm of sweltering fanfare, proud and even cocky, like they we can play the classical way, prog has no borders anymore!?. The ultimately false preconceptions are tossed right out the bloody window, as this music is inspired and inspiring, actually even dare I say charming. "Dreams of a Jester" is chillingly precious, an atmospheric caravan of sun-drenched melodies that are highlighted by suave guitar patterns and savvy synthesized orchestrations. The finale is intensely fierce with a robust axe display with long plaintive lines and coerced by bubbly synths soloing with abandon. Again, we are reminded that these amateur prog musicians are above all, fans and strive to achieve a certain sound. "Wasted" is more nervous, with almost disjointed beginnings turning into a lovely stretch, with percolating beats and solid direction. The synth solos here are spectacular, wasted (pun!) by some so-so vocals and a limp chorus, saved by the quality playing once again, this is the conundrum with Osiris. With a little more structural guidance and a better producer, they could have made a wider impact. Now they remain an incredible geographically incomprehensible absurdity, such fabulous prog ideas and statements in its rawest form, untainted and smothered in virgin purity, like the desert. "Who Remembers" is the highlight oasis here with a desperately gorgeous piano wreaking havoc with the senses, a gentle lullaby that passes the torch to a guitar flight that soars mightily, each note evoking deep sentiment . "The Power" is another short ditty that motors along nicely, propelled by some simplistic beats and more of them so-so vocals. Not as stimulating as the previous tracks, but acceptable. All in all, a valiant effort that deserves to be more than just a curiosity and perhaps inspiring the at times jaded prog community . 3.5 palm trees.

Thomas Szirmay

I just checked my earlier review of an Osisris album (Visions from the Past) because I remembered I made comments on this album Myths and Legends there. And they weren't very positive I recalled. But right now I have to confess my remarks were premature really. I heard Myths and Legens just once or twice by then and apparently I just listened superficially and it was probably the sound of the album I was thinking of. And this very sound isn't too impressive I still feel.
But what really is very impressive is the quality of the compositions. And than I mainly mean the melodic arrangement of most of the songs. If you take the first two tracks they are actually pretty amazing. Accessible and yet somewhat complex and surely very inventive. Fantastic examples of the miracle of creating songs. Maybe right now I'm on a high where this album is concerned. I'm right into it and especially the first half of the release is captivating. In all fairness I will have to see what my thoughts are a year from now and some twenty listenings further. Because I'm not 100% sure it will all stand the test of time. But who knows.
As I said, the first few tracks almost blew me away but I have to say the last couple of songs are not as huge to me. On the other hand the last three are so different that it has a certain charm as well. My favorite track is Voyage that sounds like a brilliant blend of Supertramps Breakfast in America (esp. first few tones !) and their masterpiece track Fool's Overture. Voyage definitely reaches the huge class of the latter. Anyway a more diverse album than I had in mind after my first uninspired listening. It even brings doubts in my mind about the rating. But as I mentioned in the other review: Visions from the past is so much better than Myths and Legends that it would be illogical to give both albums the same rating. So I will give three but it's very close to 3,5 all in all. Osiris has my outmost respect as a very talented band writing very classy neo prog. Sure hope to hear more from them in the future !

Henk van der Hoff

Two of the Osiris members participating on their debut,keyboardist Samil Al-Jamea and bassist/guitarist Mohammed Amin Kooheji,decided to part ways with the band in order to focus on their studies.They were replaced by Debbie Moss and Khalid Almutawa respectively and the Osiris,back as a seven-piece team, moved on to the second album.''Myths and legends'' was released in 1984 and the Musea CD-reissue is an excellent chance to listen to it.
Osiris did not change their style a bit.With its highly-educated members, and despite being in the mid-80's,the band insisted on producing professional Progressive Rock with an evident CAMEL-esque edge both on guitars and keyboards,but also a light IQ reference on the flashy synthesizers.Rooted strongly in the 70's,their compositions are characterized by the intricate climates,the amazing guitar exercises and the delicate dual keyboards,from the delicate smooth electric piano to the vintage sounds of the mini-moog and the modern synth technology.Rich textures with dramatic instrumental passages,shifting changes,jazzy interludes,symphonic arrangements and a strong amount of magnificent breaks.Additionally the album trully rocks at moments,with Osiris indicating their dedication primarly to Rock music.Vocals are not of first class,however they work well in the whole.
These are the true masters of Arabic prog,way beyond their time,considering the conditions existing in Bahrain and the fellow countries around.Classic Progressive Rock of the highest calibre,not very original,but definitely better than most of the Western Classic Prog clones. Highly recommended.

apps79

This is good enough even if it sounds raw and not refined. Fascinating songs are Free like the wind, Voyage, Dreams of jester. You can find similarities in songs of Asia Minor, Camel and Kitaro.

orme

I liked this album. But, since I have discovered Camel's "Mirage", I have realised many similitaries between both albums. Osiris is less diverse, but it can provide the same pleasure in a lot of moments. If you like Camel, Osiris is a must! Truly!
And, aren't they both about desert ? Believe me, it's not a coincidence...

bluesilver65

The very fact that Osiris - a Bahrainian outfit formed by two musical brothers during the early days of the 1980s - exists at all is in itself something both very special and very unique. The fact that both their self-titled debut and this 1984 follow-up also happen to be spectacularly good makes the Osiris story even more special. Isolated in the middle-east without proper recording studios(1981's 'Osiris' was recorded in Malaysia) and unable to tour or cultivate much of a fanbase throughout their own country due to both it's tiny population and it's very real lack of hardened rock music aficianados, the odds have always been pretty well-stacked against Osiris. However, one should never underestimate the resolve or determination of a talented set of musicians and despite featuring some slightly rough production values, both of Osiris' first two albums stand out as real gems of the neo-prog movement. You may be expecting an exotic, middle-eastern slant on the well-worn Marillion-and-IQ sound but you'd be wrong; Osiris are a straight ahead neo-prog beast whose sound is dominated by thick, juicy keyboards, angular and melodic guitars and intricately-planned drum patterns. 'Myths & Legends' doesn't quite reach the same lofty standards as it's predecessor, yet it is still an excellent album featuring a glut of catchy and anthemic tunes adorned with skilful playing and imbued with a genuine love for classical progressive rock sounds. Album highlights include the powerful title-track, whilst the pretty, faux- classical keyboard lines and uplifting guitars of 'Free Like The Wind' showcase the group at their most instrumentally creative. To make one album under these circumstances is surprising, to produce two is nothing short of remarkable. We often think of neo-prog as a strictly European construct, yet Osiris have shown that they are just as good as any of the sub-genre's big boys, producing a passionately-crafted album filled with rich textures and exciting melodies. Great stuff.

Stefan Turner

This album has its flaws. The singer is pretty bad and the production is like a pretty good demo tape. So should I really give this 5 stars? Yes, because the music is so great. All the songs from the album are really good, and that´s especially impressive since it was made in 1984. (The bonus track is less good though, but that one is of course easy to skip.) There may be some different opinions whether this is neo-progressive or just classic progressive made a few years too late. The sound is in the neighborhood of mid-70´s Camel I guess, even if it´s hardly a clone. But it´s melodic with both vocal parts and instrumental parts. Osiris best album, that´s for sure. And it might even be the best of all prog albums from the 1980´s. Or maybe that´s REBEKKA - PHOENIX. Well, one of those anyway.

Micke E.