If you thought Sarolta Zalatnay was the best kept secret of the Hungarian rock underground, boy, does Andy Votel have news for you. The latest comp from the master fuzzhead's Finders Keepers imprint brings us heaps and heaps of seldom-heard funk-rock (with healthy dosings of psych influence) from the communist controlled country in the late 60s / early 70s. Votel puts it perfectly in the liners: "The way in which Hungarian rockers interpreted such sporadic and disparate influences while un-knowingly mirroring the embryonic developments in Western rock from behind a political blindfold is truly unique." The booklet also gives super detailed explanations behind each song, so for now I'll just point you toward some songs of interest: Locomotiv GT - "Kérgeskezű Favágók(1)," Metro - "A Pénz(2)," Tamas Somlo & Omega - "Azt Mondta Az Anyukám(3)," Skorpios - "Szevasz Haver(4)," Omega Redstar - "Egy Lány Nem Ment Haza(5)," Meteor & Demjen Ferenc - "Kivánj Te Is Nekem Szép, Jó Éjszakát(6)." Includes a 24-page booklet with foreword by Sarolta and liners by Votel. 20 tracks total.

reviewed by Van Hammersly