Ekseption - Past And Present

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Review by Laura Lonighi

Album Review: Past And Present by Ekseption (1976) Ekseption’s Past And Present is one of those albums that sneaks up on you. Released in 1976 under the Fontana label, this German gem blends rock and classical music in a way that feels both daring and nostalgic. It's not your typical album—it’s got layers, man. You can tell these guys weren’t just throwing stuff at the wall to see what sticks. They had a vision, even if it was kinda all over the place. Let’s dive into two tracks that really stuck with me. First up, “Rhapsody In Blue.” Yeah, yeah, we’ve heard covers of Gershwin before, but Ekseption takes it somewhere else entirely. The piano work is crisp, almost like it’s daring the rest of the band to keep up. And they do—there’s this moment where the strings kick in, and suddenly it’s not just a cover anymore; it’s their own beast. It’s dramatic, sure, but in a good way, like when you’re watching an epic movie and everything clicks. Then there’s “Feelings.” I know, I know, that song has been done to death, but Ekseption gives it this raw, stripped-down vibe that actually works. The vocals are heartfelt without being sappy, and the guitar riff adds this unexpected edge. It’s like they took something overly familiar and made it fresh again. Kinda like finding a new flavor in a dish you’ve eaten a hundred times. The rest of the album keeps things interesting too. Tracks like “Virginal” and “Peace Planet” showcase their knack for blending genres seamlessly, while “Nightwalk” brings this moody, almost cinematic feel. But honestly, it’s not perfect. Some songs drag a bit, and you can tell they were experimenting heavily. Still, that’s part of its charm. It’s messy in places, but it’s also alive. Looking back, Past And Present feels like a time capsule of 1970s Germany—a mix of ambition, creativity, and maybe a little too much coffee. What strikes me most is how unapologetically bold it is. Not many bands would dare to put “Rhapsody In Blue” next to “Feelings,” but Ekseption did, and somehow it works. Here’s the thing: listening to this album made me realize how much music has changed since then. Back in ’76, artists weren’t afraid to take risks, even if it meant alienating some listeners. These days? Not so much. Makes you wonder—what happened to that fearless spirit? Or maybe it’s still out there, hiding in plain sight, waiting for us to rediscover it. Either way, Past And Present deserves a spot in your collection if you’re into music that doesn’t play by the rules. Oh, and one last thought: whoever decided to name the album Past And Present clearly knew what they were doing. Because listening to it now, it feels like both—a snapshot of its time and a sound that still resonates today.

Download Ekseption - Past And Present
Artist: Ekseption
Album: Past And Present
Rating: 2.86

Table of Contents

Download

Filename: ekseption-past-and-present.zip
  • MP3 size: 64.9 mb
  • FLAC size: 618.2 mb

Tracks

TrackDurationPreview
Peace Planet3:28
Feelings3:08
Smile2:52
Nightwalk3:40
Virginal4:26
Sonata In F5:20
Body Party3:30
The 5th3:21
Pick Up The Pieces6:05
Rhapsody In Blue3:59
Sunny Revival3:50

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Catalog Numbers

6428 120

Labels

Fontana

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Formats

  • Vinyl
  • LP
  • Compilation

About Ekseption

baixar álbum Ekseption - Past And Presentdescargar álbum Ekseption - Past And Presentladda ner album Ekseption - Past And Presentlast ned album Ekseption - Past And PresentAlbum herunterladen Ekseption - Past And Presenttélécharger l'album Ekseption - Past And Present
In 1958 a school band The Jokers was formed in Haarlem. Members were Hans Alta (bass), Rein van den Broek (trumpet), Tim Griek (drums, he was the producer for the first album, he died in a car crash in 1988) and Huib van Kampen (guitar/saxophone). They played covers of well known songs. In 1965 the name was changed to Incrowd. In 1967 the name had already changed to Ekseption because there was another Dutch band with the name Incrowd. The band was also joined by Rob Kruisman, who became the new bandleader. Later that year also (keyboards) joined the group. He was a classically trained musician who finished Conservatory and had played with several jazz- and popgroups, one of them was the Occasional Swing Combo. They met each other, because both bands played at the same gig. Van den Broek was impressed by the playing of Van der Linden and asked him to join Ekseption. In 1968 the band entered the Loosdrechtse Jazz Concours and won the first prize, a record deal with Phonogram. At the end of the year the band was about to record their debut album with producer Tony Vos. By this time Alta and Griek were replaced by bass guitarist Cor Dekker (he died in 2005) and drummer Peter de Leeuwe. As the first single "Beethoven's The Fifth" was chosen and it became an instant hit for the band. The follow up singles "Rhapsody in Blue" and "Air" became big hits as well. Because of this chart success Van der Linden became the new bandleader. In 1969 Kruisman left the band because he was not happy with the new musical approach. Shortly after that also co-founder Van Kampen left the band (he dies in 2003). He left the music business, and became a music teacher.

Name Vars

  • Ekseption '78
  • Ekseption (New Formula)
  • Ekseption New Formula
  • Exception
  • Exeption
  • Exseption
  • Jazz And Beatformation The Ekseption
  • The Ekseption

Members

  • Rick Van Der Linden
  • Hans Jansen
  • Jan Vennik
  • Hans Hollestelle
  • Rein van den Broek
  • Rob Kruisman
  • Tim Griek
  • Cor Dekker
  • Michel van Dijk
  • Dick Remelink
  • Peter de Leeuwe
  • Huib van Kampen
  • Dennis Witbraad

Interesting fact about Album

Did you know? The album *Past And Present* by Ekseption blends rock and classical music in a way that feels both daring and timeless. Released in 1976 in Germany, it features a wild mix of tracks like *"Rhapsody In Blue"* and *"Feelings."* What’s cool is how they take something as iconic as Gershwin's *"Rhapsody In Blue"* and give it a rock twist. It’s like hearing two worlds collide—classical precision meets raw rock energy. Definitely ahead of its time!