RAINBOW DOME MUSICK

There's a decent probability that you'll come to this album having been mightily impressed by Hillage's work during the classic Gong "Flying Teapot trilogy" phase. You may even have been blown away by Khan or some of Hillage's earlier solo works like Fish Rising or L. Or perhaps Rainbow Dome Musick is your first taste of one of the relatively unsung heroes of prog.

Whatever the circumstances, you're likely to be disappointed. For Rainbow Dome Musick is a distinct departure from everything that preceeded it. In fact, it's nothing short of a prototype for a New Age album. While it does contain snatches of Steve's guitar melded with Miquette Giraudy's airy synth work, there are none of the breezy jams that Hillage has come to be known for. Instead Rainbow Dome Musick is best defined by the six minutes of running water that forms the introduction of the first of the two pieces here, Garden Of Paradise.

Both the 20-plus minute tracks are richly woven multi-layered New Age soundscapes, with nary a proper solo (or even a rhythm section!) to enliven proceedings. The ethereal mellow spacey mood is just way too low-key for my liking. This album was recorded at Om in January 1979 for the festival for Mind-Body-Spirit and dedicated "to the universal spirit of New Age synthesis" and boy does that show! I can imagine that it would only appeal to hardcore fans of Tangerine Dream, Brian Eno and/or Vangelis, and I am not one. Perhaps this album may have seemed progressive back in 1979, but to me, this remains a novelty album of interest to those who wish to hear the genesis of what we now know as New Age music. ... 29% on the MPV scale