SOLUTION

I found this as a 1976 two-for-one that includes their first two albums, released on EMI, in a Eugene, Oregon record store around 2012, knowing that I've been aware of Solution for ages, and that Focus recorded one of their songs as part of "Eruption". I was rather amused of the "EMI" label, the "E" red, "M" was white", and "I" was blue, referring to the colors of the Dutch flag, to let everyone know the Dutch origins of Solution. To me, the debut is by far the best thing they have ever done. Later stuff started venturing too often in lite jazz. When hearing this debut, I hear elements of Supersister, and while Alquin had yet to release an album, I can see exactly where those guys were coming from. Of course, Solution lacked the humor element of Supersister, for some that's what they like of Supersister, other that's what puts them off about them. "Koan" is an incredible piece, love those sax parts and use of electric piano that isn't too different from Supersister. "Phases" has some really great stuff on is, but the part that bothers me is the vocal parts. I really get an impression the band is torn between jazz rock, prog, and American west coast rock, and this song proves it. So long as there's no vocals, I could do without them. It's not that they're bad, but the US West Coast style doesn't suit the band . "Circus Circumstances", OK, is where the band was trying to pull a Supersister on us by trying to be humorous, but that circus music that starts the piece is pretty lame, luckily they get serious and drop that, and go back to what they do best, more of that stuff that reminds me of Supersister and Alquin at their best. The album does have a couple of questionable moments, most of it is simply great stuff that I can highly recommend.