The compilation
CD Must lind came as the first CD release by Ruja, but for a very sad reason. When the ferry Estonia sank on 28 September 1994, the spirit of Ruja, vocalist Urmas Alender, was among the more than 850 victims of the tragic accident. This CD is a tribute to the spirit of Alender, released in his memory.As most
compilation CDs, this one is no different in being from various periods of the band's history. There is no specific order, as the '70s and '80s mix together in random order. At times it is even difficult to ascertain who played on which song, but that makes it so special. It was a Ruja sound, original and true, and all its members personified it.
The CD
begins with the title track "Must lind" {Black Bird}, which starts hauntingly with the piano of Olav Ehala and voice of Alender. An excellent prog song, though the production of this song is not very good. Despite that fault, the song is marvellous and even features a middle section with a processed drum solo with a bird in the background -- a high-spirit affair, unlike the quiet birds from Yes songs. The second song, "Teisel pool vett" {On the Other Side of the Water} is another excellent prog song. This is more upbeat.The third song
one can identify a different feel, as it moves to the latter half of the 1980s with "Mide teeksid siis" {What Would You Do Then}. The song is catchy with a cool keyboard line from Igor Garshnek. A nice proggy pop song really. It's followed by the harder "Tulekell" {Fireclock}. This song brings out the harder sound of Ruja and Alender, but it has some nice progressions throughout. The chord and rhythm changes brings out the most creative of the mid '80s version of Ruja. Excellent keyboard solo and the guitar solo brings out an aggressive Jaanus Nõgisto like a furious Steve Howe.With "Ei mullast..." {Not Dirty...}
we move back in time to the late 1970s during the tenure of keyboardist Margus Kappel. The song is a quiet piece with piano and voice, with a nice touch of guitars by Nõgisto. The piano is especially beautiful, as Kappel is known as a piano virtuoso as well. A beautiful sounding song throughout. With drums and everyone in full action, the song ends in a strong crescendo.That is
followed by a farcical sounding "Ajaloo õppetund" {History Lesson} which is by the same members as the song before. A fun little song, with a nice guitar solo by Nõgisto and an even nicer piano bit by Kappel. Ruja manages to make a joke song good -- like how Genesis can manage to make something like "Harrold the Barrel" sound great. In the same flavour, "Mida me räägime teistest" {What We're Saying About Others} also has a very humorous basis to it. This comes from the early 1980s era with the return of original band leader Rein Rannap. It then moves onto the plain rock song "Rävala rock" which is not very interesting in prog terms, though it playfully moves into a little Reggae feel.Then comes
one of the classics of Ruja: "Omaette" {To Oneself}. The song is a masterpiece by guitarist Nõgisto, with some nice acoustic work throughout. Excellent singing by Alender and the song is one of the nicest Ruja pieces from the late 1970s. This followed by "Eleegia" {Eulogy}, a beautiful song with the vocals of Alender at its most beautiful. Sadly, as the half-way point into the CD, one remembers why this CD came out..."Üle müüri" {Over the Wall}
from the 1980 Ruja EP is next. Excellent softish song featuring all the members of the band, especially the voice of Alender and piano of Kappel. That is followed by another farcical song "Ha, ha, ha, ha" (Couplet in Estonian). It has a fun rock feel to it with the musicians and Alender having a lot of fun -- the guitar solo by Nõgisto is a major laugh, but with they piano solo of Kappel the song moves slowly into a good prog middle section for this otherwise funny song. Coming next is another rock song from the early 1980s "Eile nägin ma Eestimaad" {Yesterday I Saw an Estonia}, with another funny little solo by Nõgisto.We then
move back to the mid '80s with the song "Murtud lilled" {Ruined Flowers}. The opening sounds are absolutely foreboding -- heavy keys with a frightened-sounding Alender singing softly before jumping out with a powerful tone. This is a moody bit from the third LP Kivi veereb, and it has a nice guitar solo by Jaanus Nõgisto as usual. Awesome song showing off Alender at his top form. The next song also comes from the same LP Kivi veereb, "Veerev kivi" {Rolling Stone}. Don't be misled, the song is nothing like the band of the same name! "Veerev kivi" is a very catchy little prog-pop song with a cool beat and bass line. The music is excellent, with a strong middle instrumental section featuring Igor Garshnek on keys and Nõgisto on guitars. The song ends beautifully with everyone working up to it, capped off by an excellent church organ solo."Vaiki kui võid" {Quiet As You Can}
is just a beautiful song, showing off the softness and texture of the unique voice of Urmas Alender. Jaanus Nõgisto contributes to the sound with excellent volume pedal work on his equally textured guitar playing -- the solo is classic Nõgisto all the way. That is followed by "Läänemere lained" {Waves of the Baltic Sea} which again is a soft quiet piece featuring the best of Urmas Alender, with a strong background by the piano playing of Margus Kappel. It ends with a powerful crescendo, giving the song a strong sense of power.Near
the end we have appropriately "Luigelaul" {Swan Song}, starting with nice acoustic guitar work by Nõgisto and a superb keyboard opening line from Igor Garshnek. The song soon wakes up a bit and is another good prog rock song from the mid 1980s. Finally, the CD ends appropriately with the classic tune "Nii vaikseks kõik on jäänud" {As Quiet as All Stayed}. The song featured just Alender at his most emotional, carried by the soft piano of Olav Ehala once more.This is
an excellent compilation of Ruja from nearly all of its history. However, some of the most exciting and adventurous prog pieces were left off. But with the release of 5-CD Need ei vaata tagasi... boxed set in late 1999, fans would be able to be exposed to all of the band's music -- not just this small selection. But this disc did its job at the time -- helped everyone remember Urmas, helped support his daughter Yoko until she reached majority, and gave us some of the band's best hits to remember.Mel Huang
Tallinn, Estonia
12 June 1999 (updated 25 December 1999)
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