MAINSTREAM

These guys had apparently recorded some demos together in 1970 but it just didn't go any further as Bill MacCormick would leave to join MATCHING MOLE, and Phil Manzanera left to join ROXY MUSIC. In 1975 Phil took a month off to record a solo album(Diamond Head) and during that time, and in the same recording studio he got all the guys back to finally make a record. He also gets some help from ROXY MUSIC member Brian Eno. It's also really cool to see actual photo-copies of letters that were sent to Manzanera from record companies that he had sent tapes to in hoping they would release their music. There are replies from CBS Records, Island Records, Liberty/UA Records and Warner Brothers Records.Then as if to counter these negative responses, we get some positive reviews underneath from some magazines back in that day. What I love about this record is the fuzzed out, dissonant, distorted and angular guitar playing of Manzanera. He really does steal the show at times. We also get some fuzzed out bass. The organ, piano, keys and farfisa play from Dave Jarrett is worthy of much applause as well.

"Sol Caliente" is a Manzanera composition that opens with piano and distorted guitar that grinds out some sounds as Eno does his thing. We get a melody of drums and fuzz bass before keys and more fuzz arrives. It settles down to a cool sound of guitar, bass, liquid keys and light drums.This is great ! The sound seems to build before we get some ripping guitar 5 1/2 minutes in that turns angular on us as it goes on and on. Amazing track. It blends into "Trumpets With Motherhood" a short 1 1/2 minute tune with keys, light drums and tons of fuzz all playing at a slower pace than they did on the first track. "Bargain Classics" is a Jarrett tune that opens with odd-metered drumming and other intricate sounds coming and going with no real melody. I'm reminded of HENRY COW. Drums come to the fore 1 1/2 minutes in with keys. Some ripping farfisa organ follows as the tempo picks up. Nice.The tempo continues to shift back and forth. Eno's back at it. Angular guitar comes in. Love this tune. "R.F.D." is a mellow, drifting song with liquid keys and synths. Now for a classic Canterbury title if there ever was one : "Mummy Was An Asteroid, Daddy Was A Small Non-Stick Kitchen Utensil". This is Bill MacCormick's lone composition, but it's a powerful track. It opens with some aggressive guitar and drums before some strange noises from Eno come in. The tempo picks up, more Eno, and the drums are very active 3 minutes in. The guitar sounds incredible 4 minutes in. These last 2 minutes are just a joy.

"Trot" is another Manzanera tune. It opens softly as keys and drums lead the way. Some fuzzed out guitar comes and goes.The bass sounds great. Piano after 2 minutes changes the mood completely. More great bass from McCormick and then 4 minutes in Manzanera starts to make some noise. "RongWrong" is the longest track and also my least favourite.This is the only song with vocals courtesy of drummer Charles Hayward. He may sing in the style of Wyatt but believe me when I say he really takes away from this tune. It starts out uptempo with keys and fuzz as drums pound. It settles down quickly as piano and bass take over. Hammond 1 1/2 minutes in before vocals come in. Lots of hammond and piano. Vocals and a brighter mood after 7 minutes.

I highly recommend this recording.