THE GIFT OF PURPOSE

With a name like BONE you better be able to "bring it". Lets just say it's been delivered and then some. Although SOFT MACHINE did have a track called "Bone" from their "Fifth" album written by Hopper's friend Elton Dean. This is a special album released by Cuneiform Records of a live concert from February 2008 that BONE did at Orion Sound Studios in Baltimore, Maryland. Special because 100% of the proceeds of this recording goes directly to the wife of the late Hugh Hopper who needs help financially. Hugh Hopper was part of this power trio in case you didn't know.The other two band members Nick Didkovsky and John Roulat along with Wayside Music's Steve Feigenbaum shared in the manufacturing costs. I must admit I bought this recording knowing nothing about the band BONE. I just wanted to help in my small way but soon found out that the music is absolutely incredible. I checked them out on this site after being blown away by my first listen and noticed Syzygy's glowing review of the studio album which I am now on the hunt for. The music here is dark and heavy just the way I like it. I'm still shaking my head that Hugh in this later stage of his life was doing something this heavy. He absolutely rocks on here ! All three of these guys do though. As a bonus we get this 15 minute track called "The Gift Of Purpose" with Nick and John being helped out by the incomparable Daevid Allen on vocals, Yves Duboin on sax, and BEHOLD...THE ARCTUPUS' Colin Marston on Warr guitar.

"Big Bombay" was composed by Hopper and I did think of John Paul Jones' "Zooma" album here. It opens with some applause from the crowd before the guitar makes some noise and this ridiculously heavy bass comes in.The drums join in as the guitar starts to claw and rip it's way across the soundscape. Oh man this is so good.The guitar settles in. It's crying out 6 1/2 minutes in as Hopper lays off. He's back ! Big cheer after this one. "Foster Wives,Trophy Hair" opens with guitar expressions as some massive bass lines kick in then drums. Nice.The guitar is ripping it up 2 1/2 minutes in followed by a calm. It's building. It's built ! "Banter" is less than a minute of just that. "Green Dansette" has this heavy rumbling soundscape with guitar playing over top.This is great ! Love the guitar here.

"Improvisation" is one of my favourites. Experimental low end sounds early. It's building. Intense is the word before 4 minutes.The tempo picks up a minute later. Hell ya ! It slows down 8 1/2 minutes in but it seems to get even heavier. Check out Hugh at this point. "Overlife Part 2" opens with the guitar screaming out of the gate as the bass and drums support. The guitar settles in with some killer angular melodies. "We'll Ask the Questions Around Here, Part 2" opens with a ground-shaking attack as the guitar comes in lighting it up. Insanity after 2 minutes. Is this legal ? Experimental guitar before 8 minutes as the bass and drums continue the ground attack at a furious pace. "The Gift Of Purpose" features GONG's Daevid Allen on vocals with a moving tribute really. Especially late with words like "Thankyou Hugh" and "Thanks Hugh" over and over. Words that are emotional because not too many people knew Hugh as long as Daevid did, and he sings these words with such passion. You have to read the lyrics that are provided for this song though.They are filled with meaning. By the way this song itself is a fantastic 15 minute ride that is different from the earlier tracks but it compliments them as well.

For me this is a 5 star album even without the special circumstances. Check out the Wayside Music site for this phenomenal release and at the same time you'll be helping out Hugh's wife. Thankyou !