The first disc of the 5-CD boxed set features material from their early years, from 1971 to 1975. The driving force behind the band during this era was keyboardist Rein Rannap. His dynamic playing (especially on piano) pushed Ruja into the progressive rock world quite early on. With the distinct vocals of Urmas Alender, the sound of Ruja became well established. Mainstay guitarist Jaanus Nõgisto joined early on, accompanying the excellent rhythm section of bassist Tiit Haagma and drummer Andrus Vaht (also with Mess and Kaseke). We also see that many of the songs feature the words of famous prose-writer Juhan Viiding, of which Rein Rannap said there would be no Ruja without his excellent poetry.

The historic boxed set begins with the emotional "Õhtunägemus" which immediately shows vocalist Alender at his best. Be careful with the volume, because the opening is very, very soft -- and it jumps. The song begins the CD as it was the last song ever played by Ruja -- at the memorial concert for Alender in 1994 after the tragic Estonia sinking, which is featured as the last track on the video release. The song features a fine piano solo by Rannap which shows a little jazzy vein at times. The choir led by the famous Tõnu Kaljuste gives the song a beautiful choral accompaniment.

Next we get the fun little song "Tsepellini Triumf" which shows the rock roots of the band -- with a nice prog feel. The opening German-language line shows a side of Ruja that many remember, the humour. The drumming of Vaht is impressive in special bits left and right. The guitar playing of Toomas Veenre is a bit fun to listen to -- but he soon leaves the band to pursue violin (which reappears in the prog world years later as the violin player for intense prog band Psycho) -- even a solo that has a bit of a Black Sabbath feel to it. Though it is from 1971 and one of the earliest recorded tracks by the band, it already shows the move into progressive rock by the band.

Following that is "Rukkilõikus," which has a very folky feel to it, obvious from the title (it means "Rye Harvest"). It now features Andres Põldroo on guitars replacing Veenre (ironically, the two join up in the band Psycho years later, with Põldroo on guitars), bringing a more skilled style -- though still rock and roll in nature. Though the rhythm section does have a few glitches, the playing is nice -- with a drum solo by Vaht which is impressive.

Then is the most classic of all Ruja songs, "Nii Vaikseks Kõik On Jäänud." This is the original version of the song, previously unreleased -- which has a fabulous trumpet line played by current Estonian National Symphony conductor Paul Mägi. The organ from Rannap also gives the song its intended flavour, though under the shaky guitar solo he plays a fabulous solo. The guitars of Veenre (back in time, as this is from 1971) is nice on background. This was one of the two first songs the band recorded in 1971 -- but you can hear how beautiful it is already from back then.

Then we move into the era of Jaanus Nõgisto on guitars with "Noore Fotograafi Uppumine," though the guitar solo is a bit primitive. But it has a rock and funk feel to it, with Rannap's playful piano one of the highlights of this fun song. Even bassist Haagma gets into the act with some nice lines. "Pajats" follows that into a nice acoustic sound. Vocalist Alender pulls off a great performance on the touching song, accompanied by the acoustic guitar.

Back to more action-packed stuff with "Enne Seda Suurt Nalja" with a catchy lead and beat, though also another sign of them moving straight into adventurous prog-style stuff. It ends with a cool little solo on guitar. Following that is the title track of this CD "Parandamatu." Meaning "unimprovable" it sets a high mark for itself -- but the song rises to the challenge. Though not terribly complex, it is a very nice song with all the instruments working well together with the playful voice of Alender.

Then we have the fun and adventurous "Vana Auruvedur," which features a catchy performance by bassist Haagma alongside the steam locomotive effects. This songs sees the members at their instrumental best. Influenced by some of the great prog from around the world that slowly trickled in, the instrumental section in the middle sees Rannap use a primitive but wonderful synthesiser in a tribute to ELP, with Haagma and Vaht playing along as well as anyone. One of the best tracks of this era of Ruja.

Next is a piece named "Ikaros" which begins a bit bluesy, but moves into higher tempo later. It's a good poppish/rock song from this era, perhaps foreshadowing the near reformation of this line-up several years later in their "rock and roll" era. There is still a lot of prog influence in this piece. Tiit Haagma's bass comes across nice, as well as Alender's strong vocals. Following that is another acoustic piece, "Ah, Ma Teadsin..." The piano section in the middle of this soft song is quite beautiful.

We then get one of the strongest prog pieces of this era, "Laul Näidendist 'Protsess'." The organ work by Rannap over the complex and strong rhythm section work, alongside the choice singing of Alender is quite fantastic as an opening. Lots of excellent vocal work and different dynamics by the use of piano. Folk elements are immersed into the song, which in a way is a foreshadow of their next concept piece -- the banned "Johnny" -- which we hear parts of later in the boxed set.

The strange-titled "Tutarlaps Kloaagis" comes next with a hard guitar sound from Nõgisto. The dark song shows the power side of the band, both in the playing and singing. You may noticed that it sounds live -- and it is. The song, written back in 1972, was recorded in December 1981 at the Linnahall concert venue -- the tenth anniversary concert for the band. The next few tracks are all live from when Rein Rannap and Tiit Haagma rejoined the band in the early 1980s, during the so-called "rock and roll" era of the band.

Another live track, "Sügispaev," follows -- this time from October 1983 at the same venue. The original version of this song featured one of the best vocal performances by Urmas Alender in his long career. This live version is also quite excellent, with nice piano work by the now older Rannap (he was almost 30 by 1983). However, the live version is no replacement of the studio original -- which one wonders why it wasn't released. Plus, there are better live versions -- like the 1976 concert from the Tallinn Polytechnic Institute.

From the same concert comes "Ülemlaul," a quieter and beautiful song -- performed with delicacy and effect by the backing of the mixed choir Noorus. Beautiful vocal mosaic, and the 2 guitar solos by Nõgisto were, albeit short, an uplifting sound during the middle of the song, especially when it segues into the choir.

Then another question of why the original version wasn't released. Originally the first ever recorded Ruja song (with Raul Sepper on vocals), "Need ei vaata tagasi..." comes to us live from the same 1981 concert. Though it was wonderful to hear Urmas sing the song -- the new vocals are excellent -- the song was wonderful originally too. Rannap told me that he didn't think the overbearing piano on the original version was very good (reminding me he was 17 at the time!). Both versions should have been on the boxed set -- as it has over 6 hours of music! But back to this version, it is wonderful. Rannap's piano is not as adventurous as the original and Nõgisto's guitars don't have the dodgy notes of Veenre in the original, but it is missing a lot. However, hearing Alender sing this classic is worth the price of the boxed set for me. Though the ending was not as good...

We jump up to 1983 again and from the same concert is "Kel On Laulud Laulda" for the last live track of this first disc. It also features the excellent Noorus choir. Mixing acoustic Yes-like sounds with a little gospel feel, this is one of the nice surprises of the disc. Beautiful singing by Alender yet again. Imagine if he could have sung harmony with Jon Anderson...

There then is a mistake in the booklet with the song "Must Lind," which is listed as a studio version -- but it is obviously live. Sounds like 1981 to me, but I can't be sure. It is an excellent and powerful version of the song which titled the memorial CD of the same name released in 1994. It sounds amazingly close to the studio version -- with a fabulous piano solo by Rannap and amazing drum solo by Jaan Karp. Fabulous version of the classic song.

The first CD in the fabulous box ends with the patriotic "Eesti Muld Ja Eesti Süda," with words written by revered 19th century poetess Lydia Koidula. Beautiful song for one of the most loved poem in Estonian history. The band does happy justice to this inspiring piece of text. Excellent way to end disc one.

Well, this is a fantastic start. Every track is unreleased previously -- making this one of the biggest archival prog gems this year. Amazing stuff, though there are some noticeable and obvious omissions. Why the classic "Lumi Sädeles" was not on this nor the next CD? What happened to the original version of "Need Ei Vaata Tagasi..."? But still, beggars can't be choosy, eh? It is a great collection of early/mid '70s prog by any standards, and once this gets out to the world, Ruja will stand very tall in the world of prog.

Mel Huang
Tallinn, Estonia
15 December 1999

Read about Ruja
Back to the main box set review page
More information about the CD
More information about the boxed set

Back to Reviews menu

Index - History - Bands - Reviews - CDs - LPs - Personalities
Radio - Future - Estonia - Links - E-mail