CONTINUUM

A different band formed in London in late-60's,CONTINUUM was an idea of guitarist/flutist Yoel Schwarz,a musician from Hungary,who performed around the same time at clubs in Amsterdam.His meeting with classical guitarist John Warren was the turning point for Yoel to form this experimental group.The first album is said to be recorded at Morgan Studios in London,featuring also Mike Hart on bass and Dick Wildman on drums.

Released finally in 1970 on RCA Label,''Continuum'' blends classical guitars with a baroque feeling and an improvisational jazzy mood.Side A consists of four tracks,all written by Schwarz,which are actually interpretations of works by Bach and Handel.While the tracks are structurally ok,the middle-parts of them contain improvisational flutes,harmonica soloing and some bluesy guitars also to support the delicate classical guitars and the deep double bass.The result is definitely way too experimental and different from anything I've heard by bands of the same period.Stepping to side B we find a 20 min. written by Richard Hartley,who appears as a pianist on the second album of the band (1971,''Autumn grass'',also on RCA).Entitled ''Legend of Childe Harold'',this suite is split in five parts and it is mainly based on classical strings,guitars and wind instruments.However, some good improvisational passages headed by flutes and bass are also present,while the overall atmosphere is closer to avant/prog and chamber music.For fans of dark instrumental music,this will be a very good listening.''Continuum'' won't be ever everybody's taste and ceretainly not mine.The album is highly experimental (especially its suite) and totally unique in its sound and atmosphere and I would recommend it mostly to fans of classical music and avant/prog.For the mass of progressive rock fans,this won't add anything charming in your collection.