VSP Projekt
Some of the best prog and fusion musicians in Estonia, following the decline of the "golden age" of prog, in 1986 decided to put together a project called VSP Projekt -- after their names: Vaigla, Sibul, and Põder. Raul Vaigla, best known for his work in fusion-prog band Radar, is arguably the best fretless bassist in Estonia. Riho Sibul, guitarist-extraordinaire for Kaseke and In Spe, brings his unique style to the project. Aare Põder, also a part of Radar, unleashes his keyboard skills in VSP Projekt.
The three musicians, all incredibly busy with other musical commitments (other bands, studio session, etc.), gigged under the VSP name when they had the chance. They did indeed record an LP, which was released in 1989. The LP featured Andrus Vaht, the highly-skilled drummer who played in nearly every top Estonian prog project, like Ruja, Mess and Kaseke. Though all the members are virtuosos in their instruments, the music crafted by the group was more atmospheric and less intense.
World-famous composer and leader of In Spe, Erkki-Sven Tüür, wrote in the LP's liner notes: "Oddly enough, the music that VSP Projekt makes combines in a way the emotional openness inherent in rock music with a sense of distance and even alienation." Keyboard legend Sven Grünberg added some atmospheric keyboards on one track as well.
As VSP was indeed a project, it regrouped when it did. Gigs here and there, but that was about it. In 1996 the LP was remastered and released on CD, with a re-recording of one of the tracks by Sibul and Grünberg. Eventually in 2001 the trio decided to regroup again, and played a series of concerts ending at the large Jazzkaar festival in Tallinn during the spring of 2001. Though these musicians remain busy with millions of other projects (including the band Ultima Thule, which, ironically, all three of them played in), it is highly welcome that they reprise their VSP Projekt at times to their eager fans.
Discography
| VSP Projekt |
1989 |
LP |
| VSP Projekt |
1996 |
CD |
