MAINSTREAM

I don't have much to add here, except that the vocals on Rongwrong are unfortunately a courtesy from Charles Hayward and Phil Manzanera just decided to record Mainstream because he had rented some extra days at the studio for his other band, Diamond Head. I never thoght I would consider this a Canterbury album: it's rather Space Rock than anything else: the distorted guitar that would never appear in a Caravan or Soft Machine album, a more intense use of synths and effects (by the guest Brian Eno). And there is less fusion, pop and humour than one Canterbury fan would expect.

Anyway, "Sol Caliente", "Mummy was an asteroid..." suites are great, and all members are clearly very talented musicians (yet none should sing, if Charles Hayward is indeed the best singer)."Trumpets With Motherhood" and "R.F.D." are bridge tracks, which allow you to relax for the following songs, "Bargain Classics" and "Mummy...", respectively. Both these songs, "Trot" and "Sol Caliente will almost certainly take your breath away and make you stand up until they finish. Rongwrong is the only one to feature vocals, as you must know, and I am afraid that they are not really good. By far the most "common" song in the album, it presents more eletric piano, very little drums and guitar. It managed to force me put four stars instead of five...

Despite Rongwrong, the album is indeed a forgotten masterpiece, as every reviewer has said. A must have for Space Rock fans, perhaps some Canterbury fans fond of Gong's Shamal or anyone who might be interested.