BIG RED ROCK

The band's jazz influences aren't that overt on this album, even during the Joe Zawinul cover; mostly in their approach to instrumental sections, which is generally to lock on to a strong groove and improvise away, with the focus on the rhythmic drive rather than harmonic or melodic invention. An excellent rhythm section is necessary to make this approach work, and Ayers Rock had arguably the best rhythm section in the country in Mark Kennedy and Duncan McGuire, by this time up to their fifth band in a row working together (having previously driven Doug Parkinson In Focus, King Harvest, Friends, and McGuire Kennedy & Burton). Their front line are all good musicians too, but the soloing is not earth-shattering, being mostly blues-based. The album contains a number of shorter, more commercial songs, mostly written by McGuire - the single "Lady Montego" is the best of them, having a slightly more interesting harmonic language. "Big Red Rock" and their cover of "Boogie Woogie Waltz" are completely instrumental, as is most of the "Crazy Boys" (which is reminiscent of Zappa's more straightforward 70s work). The final "Get Out To The Country" is probably the most exciting number. I'm torn about the rating - either a very high 3 stars or a low 4 stars. (I've already changed it twice!)