Experimental Q - Dans Marțian

If you are reading these lines, chances are you have already heard about Experimental Q and their brand of adventurous, progressive rock made behind the Iron Curtain, in socialist Romania, during the 1970s. Not only that, but you have already heard their music, and – if you are one of the lucky ones – you have also bought their first album to be ever released in vinyl format, “Amintiri despre viitor”, with restored and remastered sound, original artwork, and extensive liner notes.

If you are still new to the band, then we welcome you to one of Eastern Europe’s most intriguing musical enigmas of the past fifty years. Experimental Q sounded like no other on the Romanian rock scene during the 1970s: their sound was both dark and luminous, serene and turbulent, delicate and menacing, with virtuosic passages blended into complex compositions. Fans of King Crimson, Mahavishnu Orchestra, The Nice, ELP, or Jethro Tull will find themselves at home with Experimental Q’s music.

Formed in the same year when albums such as “Tarkus”, “Islands”, or “The Inner Mounting Flame” came out, Experimental Q lasted for only five years. At the time of the band’s (forced) break-up, they had officially released just one song, the graceful “Flori” (Flowers) on an Electrecord pop music compilation. They had also recorded a plethora of songs for Radio Cluj and Radio Bucharest, where they were able to show off their instrumental skills, writing talent, and – last but not least – their alternative approach to pop music culture in a country that was then more concerned with folk ballads and national fairy tales. It was this alternative approach which garnered them an underground feel that they never truly lost, even when the band gained notoriety beyond its home town all the way to Bucharest’s music halls.

With “Amintiri despre viitor”, Experimental Q opened up a first chapter in its mostly untold history. With a sophomore like “Dans marțian” (Martian Dance), any band would be faced with the ominous challenge of a sequel: rising up to the greatness of the first album. However, in true Experimental Q fashion, this is foremost a journey meant to send you back in time even more than the first trip. But make no mistake: this is no prequel either. Just a second chapter that makes Experimental Q’s story even more captivating and fills out a blank space in Romanian (and East European) pop music history.

As on “Amintiri despre viitor”, this project features restored and remastered audio, original artwork, as well as an in-depth essay about the band’s history and its musical output, with exclusive photos and memorabilia. The music is unearthed by Claudiu Oancea (artwork, liner notes, and curator) and Remus Miron (restored, remastered audio, and producer).

(promotional text by Claudiu Oancea)

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Romanian Sounds Unearthed – 2
180gr. DMM (Direct Metal Mastering)
MSRP €16