CARGO

It never ceases to amaze me how a relatively small nation in Europe manages to produce a disproportionate number of notable acts. Anything from FOCUS, SUPERSISTER, EKSEPTION, FINCH, EARTH & FIRE to KAYAK, LIVIN' BLUES - ah, just where do I stop? There must be a reason, probably a combination of the gene pool coupled with cultural factors? I am really not sure. Suffice to say that my partner who hails from the Netherlands plays four(!) instruments really well, pretty much instinctively. To add to the mystery, she was not even familiar with any of the bands mentioned above until after we met some years ago - in Australia!

But onto CARGO. At first listen I found the material enjoyable, but somewhat dated. This is a Rock band that enjoys stretching out, bordering on jamming. In a general sense that would sit well with me. Of course, the twin guitars are the most notable feature here, but to liken the band to early WISHBONE ASH is a bit far fetched. A bit like the common trap of comparing any band that features flutes with JETHRO TULL.

The four long tracks held some premise for me, alas the compositions are not very strong. Indeed, pretty average and rather mediocre by today's standards. Back in 1972 one may have found the music fresh and exciting, but 40 years on it hasn't aged well. The instrumental passages lift the game somewhat, but not quite sufficiently to hold my attention.

The second spin delivers the same conclusion as it still leaves me struggling with paying attention. It still fails to suitably engage my interest. In all fairness, watching the band perform live would have added an element without which their recorded stuff remains a bit hollow, underdeveloped. I also feel that had they kept recording, the overall production would likely have substantially improved.

A cursory listen to the bonus material confirms that this disc may be reasonably good, but hardly essential.