RADAR
Some people who know Radar's music may ask why we're classifying this as a "progressive" rock act when it's clearly a jazz-fusion one. Well...it's out of both convenience and interest. Many well-known prog musicians played in various versions of Radar, making it very relevant in the prog world. And really, prog and fusion are just classifications; most prog fans will like this, let's just say that.
Radar was one of the top jazz-fusion bands in Estonia during the mid 1980s. Though it went through several formations, sometimes drastically different, the band really pushed the competition among various jazz artists in Estonia. Despite any discussion about genre, the musicians in both incarnations of Radar are of top quality. The level of playing matches many good fusion bands known world-wide, such as Vital Information or even the group Bruford.
The earlier years of Radar in the early 1980's featured Jaak Joala on vocals, along with a changing list of band members. However, the leader of the band, keyboardist Sergei Pedersen kept the band running in an adventurous direction throughout its days. During this era there were several EPs released, one in 1980 and the other in 1982, which the latter featured Andres Põldroo (formerly of Ruja) on guitar.
The first full release by radar was named Trofee and it appeared in 1985. Gigging by the band established it as the premiere fusion-progressive band in Estonia, as it was at that time that Kaseke started to disappear.
The keyboards of both Sergei Pedersen and Aare Põder are dazzling, which flows brilliantly with the unique guitar sound of Nevil Blumberg (from prog band Synopsis). The fretless bass of Raul Vaigla (also from Synopsis) invokes some of the prettiest sounds of late 70's fusion while the drumming of Paap Kõlar (from Psycho) provided more than sound backdrop for the others to jam.
The track "Tipptund Kesklinnas" features some monster playing by the band, especially guitarist Blumberg. The following piece, "Promenaad" highlights the fantastic fretless bass work by Raul Vaigla. But the highlight of the album is "Habanera" -- a quick catchy piece highlighted by the guitars of Blumberg. The Spanish guitar bits throughout the beginning and end are spectacular.
Two years later, with a slightly different configuration, Radar released Baltic Coast in 1987. Raivo Narits replaced Aare Põder on one of the keyboards, Valeri Belinov took over for Nevil Blumberg (who worked with a late configuration of Ruja and a few other projects) on guitar, and the aggressive Paul Kikerpuu changed the bass sound of the band in replacing Raul Vaigla (who continued his trademark sound in VSP Projekt and other bands).
From the track "Päikesepiste" we can see how Kikerpuu changed the sound of the band by the bass style. Instead of a legato and rich fretless sound which Vaigla prefers, Kikerpuu launches an aggressive slap style which fits the guitar sounds of Belinov, who hails from Latvia. Another highlight of this album is "Siirus" which features some nice playing by Belinov.
Again soon after this second release, the project split up. Sergei Pederson continues on a successful jazz/fusion career on keys, as well as Paul Kikerpuu, who is recognised as one of the best bassists in the region.
Despite the two different configurations and thus different sounds pursued by the group, Radar can match many top fusion ensembles better known throughout the world. There are plans to re-release materials from the two LPs in the near future, and let's hope that happens soon! Excellent stuff!
Discography
| Radar |
1980 |
EP |
| Radar |
1982 |
EP |
| Trofee |
1985 |
LP |
| Baltic Coast |
1987 |
LP |
