QUANTUM JUMP

One of those funny albums that you put on, when you need something to dance to while taking a shower. Some background music for spitting water at your cat - or just spending some time watching wallpaper and snapping your fingers out of tact. It takes a certain untidy and careless nature to get into this album´s groove - especially, if you like me are mostly listening to wild and fierce progressive music that has a way of triumphing over your brain cells and thought patterns. This one has that same effect, but that is probably because it is so damn funky! It supersedes your natural thinking processes and simply compels you to dance.

If you want something with a little tiny bit of "prog" - as well as fulfilling the task of being party music, then Quantum Jump is the band for you. Yep, there´s some Canterbury sneaked under the rug as well, but it´s in minuscule amounts - hiding behind the tree, waiting for a quick turn in the song, for then to materialize in some guitar wizardry or extraordinary keyboard work running pretty fast inside a time frame of 10 seconds.

Girls like this album too. I´ve met 4 at least, who did dance along with me - but maybe that´s got something to do with my damn good looks...? I´m not sure. Call it progressive porn music with some British humour slapped on - and then cover it in a fine coating of mild jazz beats and you´re nearly there. Except for the fact that it works! I really like this album, and just like my good friend John mentioned in his review of this album, I too hear those Steely Dan references. It´s not nearly as refined and overproduced, but hey - with people like Morris Pert, Rupert Hine and John G. Perry - the musical skills are top dollar, and what might have sounded cheesy and bland - comes across as cheesy and overly funky. Again it sounds like I´m putting this album down, but I´m not - I assure you... It´s just that this album almost has it coming, if you know what I mean. It´s far too funky and get down with it - IAAAAOOOUUW Honey! - for its own sake. At least in these treacherous proggy waters, but had this been the John Travolta flavoured musical escapades appreciation archives - this album would have been drowning in praise from men in heels with hair dues on their chest.

To be fair, there is some fantastic guitar playing on this album, and it´s by far the most attractive thing it´s got going for it - and moreover, when this string based instrument really takes off - which incidentally is a bit too seldomly, the other guys involved seem to throw away their porn soundtrack aspirations -and go with the flow. The bass gets bubbly and takes it to another level - the drums start breaking away from the ordinary get down with it beat - and the keys start mimicking Dave Stewart instead of Rod Stewart, and yeah everything just sets off on an enticingly fast paced fusion break, that speaks to my natural dance abilities in a way, that has poor old Travolta looking for his foxtrot tricks do´s and don´ts manual over in the corner . A brilliant little album, that might appeal to your missus - as well as old 70s porn-stars with a penchant for shaking that ass.

"Captain Boogaloo" is funky with vocals as synths roll in. A poppy tune with silly lyrics is what we have here. "Over Rio" has a catchy rhythm with vocals. Nice guitar before 1 1/2 minutes. Zappa-like vocals follow. Themes are repeated. "The Lone Ranger" became a hit for them because this guy wanted it to be the theme for his TV show and it became quite popular. It sounds like a Native language to open and it comes and goes. A catchy track with intricate guitar. "No American Starship" is more of the same really although the guitar late is good.

"Alto Loma Road" is different. Reserved vocals before it kicks in then settles again. Contrasts continue. "Cocobana Havana" is a mid-paced tune that's catchy. It picks up 2 minutes in and this sounds much better. Nice bass and drum work 4 minutes in. Good song. "Constant Forest" is a relaxing and mellow tune. "Something At The Bottom Of The Sea" is divided into four parts. Part 1 is my favourite song on here. A very uptempo and dynamic instrumental. It blends into Part 2 which has reserved vocals as it settles. Part 3 picks up with drums out front and some good guitar. Part 4 has a beat with synths, bass and guitar sounds. I like this laid back closer.

Not a bad album, it's just not my style.

One can hear all the class of keyboard man Rupert Hine as well as (ex-Caravan) John G Perry's funky bass lines, and if no tracks really stands out, none are weak bar the slightly less even Europe On A Dollar A Day.

Worthy of notice is Simon Jeffes's Penguin Café String Ensemble, but they stay very wise (and well clear of the RIO of their own albums) and blend in quite nicely with the overall soft and genteel mood of the album on the title track for example. The Tower Of Lowther horn section also intervenes but do not add that much, either. What I find is lacking in this album is the more aggressive feel and wished that Manzanera had guested on a few tracks.

Not usually a fan of Voiceprint Records, I must say that this re-issue of a minor work is almost flawless, although the bonus tracks are completely forgettable and the sound a bit flat, but since I have never heard the original vinyls... not that I was missing that much for the last three decades with QJ.

The production and overall sound has moved on a little from the first album, and all the better for it. The almost STEELY DAN-like dry humour remains, altho it's not as obscure.

The musicians performances are fresh and alive. Trevor Morais' playing is superb, like a disco version of Michael Giles!

For me the highlight is 'StarBright Park' which is a sceptical answer to SIMON AND GARFUNKEL's 'America' and the whole 60's hippy scene. 'Europe on a Dollar a Day' features some of the funkiest Clavinent you'll hear on a prog record, and the appearance of the PENGUIN CAFE ORCHESTRA is a wonder addition [PCO had only formed the year before, and at various times had Geoff Richardson and Trevor Morais either as band members or guests.. small world!]

This is very British album, even tho the main perpetrators have Antipodean roots. I would recommend it for it's charm, eloquance and overall feel. :)

The single 'Lone Ranger' was tight, funky and funny. The rest of the tunes are well done and show a real flare for production. It is both a product of it's time, and transcends time - the humour is timeless, and tho' the music fitted into to the mid 70s melee, it is still fresh today.

If push came to show, I would choose 'Barracuda' over this, but it's still well worth finding if you can!