SEPTOBER ENERGY

It's album's such as Keith Tippet/Centipede's "SEPTOBER ENERGY" that make you both love and hate prog rock. Here is one of the few albums boasting a 50 piece orchestra as the actual band, not accompaniment, performing a four-part 80 minute suite. This had potential, and was a great concept, but sadly needed a lot of work: mainly editing. There are some sublimely beautiful passages on this record, but one must slog through whole sections which are boring and aimless. This album does best during individual solos, and Elton Dean is the standout here, though the album boasts a who's who list of English Canterbury/Jazz-Rock. The most disappointing soloist is Brian Godding, who performs dull, by-the-numbers solos. This is frustrating when one considers the unmatchable Robert Fripp was just yards away, producing this mess. Keith Tippet does have some pretty piano passages, notable the opening to 'Septober Energy, III'.

On the whole, a dull album. Avoid unless you are a die-hard Canterbury/jazz fan, or must own every King Crimson related release. It definitely ha its moments but they are few and far between. If you can get through (and enjoy) the first five minutes of aimless percussion on this record though you'll probably enjoy it all. For jazz-prog novices start with early Soft Machine or Hatfield & The North before tackling this monster.

Ambition/Concept = 5/5

Execution = 2/5

Final Grade = 3/5