Trace - Birds (1975, Remastered 2014)

Often compared to Keith Emerson and other classically influenced keyboardists, Rick van der Linden led this Dutch instrumental band - that were in the same musical vein as The NICE, ELP, TRIUMVIRAT and early LE ORME - to great success in the 1970’s!

“EKSEPTION was like going to college. After graduation, I decided to continue my study with TRACE”, was once said by the late the Dutch keyboards maestro Rick van der Linden. The band was his brainchild from 1974 to 1977, after almost ten years in EKSEPTION. TRACE was a symphonic heavy pop group that made three albums full of classically inspired original material. With drummers Pierre van der Linden (BRAINBOX, FOCUS) and Ian Mosley (MARILLION, Steve Hackett Band, Gordon Giltrap) and bassist Jaap van Eik (CUBY & THE BLIZZARDS, SOLUTION, PANDA, VITESSE), this extremely talented keyboardist developed himself as a composer and performer on the albums: ‘Trace’ and ‘Birds’, while three old mates from his early EKSEPTION-days helped Rick on ‘White Ladies’ the final TRACE album.

Now for the first time ever, the three TRACE albums have been Properly Remastered (24 bit) from the Original Master Tapes. In addition, each album contains Bonus Tracks, featuring Outtakes, Demos and ‘Live’ material.
All three albums come in beautifully designed Gatefold Sleeves featuring Rare Photos and Exclusive New Interviews with Jaap van Eik, Ian Mosley, engineer Jan Schuurman and arranger Job Maarse.
With these long anticipated reissues, the TRACE story is now finally displayed in the most honest and correct way.