"Spartacus" was the first release of the Hungarian Rumblin' Orchestra in 1998, which obtained a hot greeting by the international progressive scene. Musically, the references of the band are groups and musicians like ELP for the most part, The Nice, Greenslade and even Rick Wakeman. However, the keyboard based music of all of them are enlarged in Rumblin' with notable classic influences, mainly of the romantic period. In this way, while bands like Pär Lindh Project, Ars Nova or Gerard remember the music of Emerson and company, in some cases simply copying it and in others offering a certain innovation, the Rumblin' Orchestra tries to offer a classic vision of this progressive subgenre. The formation is led by Béla Ella, composer, lyricist, keyboards and vocals, who is accompanied by Jusztin Szabó to drums, percussion, bass and vocals and by several members of his family: Beatrix Ella (flute), Kitti Ella (cello), Attila Ella (trombone), Dániel Ella (oboe) and Miklós Ella (violin). The vocal work is enlarged by the use of a five people choir.
The result is an album in an Emersonian wave with a notable presence of classic influences. It is clear that the sound of the band was not completely consolidated, since there are certain imbalances in the pieces. Personally, I believe that the best Rumblin' is listened in the songs in which the progressive-classic fusion is accentuated, while the songs most based on Emersonian sounds are less inspired and even with less brilliant composition. This was largely solved in their second album, The new king's garment that shines to great heights with its progressive symphonic roots. "Intro" (1:26) is a brief prelude that introduces in the general sound of the work, with a strong presence of Emersonian keyboards and classic ambient. "Spartacus" (4:33) is an epic cut that benefits of the presence of a mixed choir that carries out a good work. "The last day - cantata parts 1-3" (5:18) is a classic marvel, with excellent instrumentation of flutes and oboes and a delicious romantic harmony. One of the jewels of the album. "Getting ready (prologue)" (2:26) follows the symphonic patterns of the previous one, but with more grandiloquent tendencies in the work of the keyboards. "Victory or death" (10:11) is a pure Emersonian piece, with the habitual power of the trio and that could be easily in "Trilogy", although towards the second half of the song it becomes more classic with the addition of diverse instruments, mainly of wind. "The legions" (1:41) is an instrumental march that opens the way to "Concerto", which presents three movements that occupy the seventh to ninth pieces of the album. The first one is totally Emersonian, while the second moves in completely classic lands, presenting a very beautiful romantic-decadent atmosphere. Finally, the third part of the concert returns to Emersonian lands and a remarkable loss of creativity is appreciated. "Intermezzo" (9:02) is a beautiful classic symphonic piece with the presence of choirs. One of the gems of the disk for its beautiful design and composition. "Spartacus 2000" (5:01) returns us to the powerful Emersonian lands and the song loses interest for its lack of personality. The album is completed with a bonus track that is a live interpretation of "America" of Bernstein that in its day The Nice already covered. The piece is less pompous than those and it is a sample of the primary influences of the Rumblin' Orchestra.
Summarizing, a good progressive work, almost completely instrumental, with the already indicated references and imbalances. The best thing is that the second release of the Hungarians overcame the little defects that are appreciated in this work, going to more classic lands and wrapping up the keyboards with a bigger instrumental range.

Jaume Pujol