Flame Dream — Elements (3VƐ Records, 2025 remastered reissue/original release: Vertigo, 1979)
Elements was the second album by Swiss band Flame Dream. The album came out during a dark age for progressive rock. Major labels and the British and American media had moved on to punk and pop, leaving progressive rock behind. Despite that, independent artists and some labels treated prog-rock fans with new recordings to satisfy their appetites.
Notably, by the time they released this album, Flame Dream did not have a guitarist so that situation placed keyboard virtuoso Roland Ruckstuhl as the main motor of the band, along with flute and sax player Peter Wolf.
Although Yes is mentioned as the main influence of the band, that doesn’t seem to match wha you hear on the album. The band’s music is much more varied. Indeed, there are Yes influences, specially in the use of harmony-vocals and Rick Wakeman-style keyboards. However, you can also perceive Keith Emerson influences in the piano sections as well as Tony Banks (Genesis) influences in Roland Ruckstuhl’s arrangements as well as in his Mellotron and synth work.
In addition to progressive symphonic rock, Flame Dream also delivers brief passages of jazz fusion, specially when the saxophone takes the lead. Nevertheless, Peter Wolf stands out when he contributes flute or oboe.
Per progressive rock tradition, Flame Dream presents three long pieces and two shorter compositions. The opening track is “Sun Fire,” with lyrics by Peter Wolf. The suite opens with an extensive instrumental section with majestic Mellotron and synths and elegant oboe. Once the vocals arrive, you can clearly hear the Yes influence in terms of vocal harmonies and arrangements. However, the charming flute melodies sets it apart from the classic Yes sound.
Track 2, “Sea Monsters” offers a delicious keyboard fest, with lyrics based on a poem by Edmund Spenser. The composiiton begins with Genesis like vocals, along with excellent synth solos and additional keyboard work reminiscent of Tony Banks. Later, Roland Ruckstuhl channels the spirit of Emerson Lake and Palmer-style keyboards.
“Earth Song” is where the band ventures into moments of fusion. The lyrics are from a poem by Ralph Waldo Emerson.
The most symphonic work is “A Poem of Dancing,” which features a poem by Jon Davies. The music on this piece draws form multiple influences; Yes harmonies, splendid flute passages, classical piano flourishes, and Genesis-style crescendos.
The final piece is a short, charming keyboard instrumental titled “Savate? Nose!” On this occasion the keyboards seem deeply inspired by Greenslade.
Musicians: Roland Ruckstuhl on grand piano, organ, keyboards, tapes; Peter Wolf on flute, oboe, saxophones, vocals; Urs Hochuli on bass, bass pedals, vocals; and Peter Furrer on drums and percussion.
Artwork by Urs Hochuli
Track Listing
- Sun Fire (9:53)
- Sea Monsters (13:31)
- Earth Song (6:53)
- A Poem of Dancing (13:10)
- Savate? Nose (1:26)
Buy Elements.