VA - Noorte Laulud {Estonia} (1978)

A VA album from Estonia featuring as highlights well-known prog groups Psycho and Ruja. I learned about this from the sovietgrooves blog, which I recommend to all jazz, fusion, and progressive fans, it's quite a phenomenal site for learning about iron curtain music. On that site they wisely sampled only 2 tracks from this record leaving the rest unheard, but curiosity got the better of my usually sensible nature. This was when I spent a recent 2-day stint in the county jail for beating up a homeless guy with his starbucks cup when he refused to lend me a dollar.
Most of this record is easy listening or pop with orchestral backing, which I enjoy due to my late and graying age, but apologies in advance to those without dentures who have little taste or patience for this, or for straight-out disco. Or polkas. There is even a country or bluegrass song, track 4. 'Ouch' is my usual response to finding myself in this situation. But patience is rewarded, the last 3 tracks are superb progressive rock songs.

Tracklist:
01. Jaak Joala & Estraadiorkester, dirigent Rostislav Merkulov - Elavate laul
02. Voldemar Kuslap & Estraadiorkester, dirigent Peeter Saul - Igavene tuli
03. Jaak Joala & Estraadiorkester, dirigent A. Zakis - Laul verelilledest
04. Silvi Wrait & Fix - Värviline maailm
05. Ivo Linna & Apelsin - Aeg ei peatu
06. Kukerpillid - Lipsu-Peedi polka
07. Peeter Tooma - Vaikus (Sounds of Silence, Simon & Garfunkel)
08. Tõnis Mägi & Psycho - Naera, naera
09. Ruja - Laul naidendist - Protsess
10. Psycho - Nomina sunt odiosa

Here is the 8th track, from Psycho, a fantastic progressive rock song:


And the smoking hot fusion side of Psycho appears on the last track: