RECREATION (DON'T OPEN)

Recreation's debut album is to say the least a timid one, but one can clearly sense that these guys have all it takes (except self-confidence maybe) to be a future great. This KB-lead trio is the antithesis of other KB trios such as ELP or Egg (well maybe a bit Egg crossed with French group Travelling) giving a rather hard to define sound between Canterbury (Soft Machine at times), jazz-rock and classical reprises and Vanilla Fudge. The nightmarish and Dali-esque artwork is great evocation of what you are about to hear in this album, but also the next one.

If the opener Burning Chapel is an underachiever (we vainly wait for the track to explode, expand and explore), Running For Life is clearly a step in the right direction, while Sexual Lover is clearly explorative even in a psychedelic musical sex orgy - a very Fudgey affair if you ask me. The second vinyl side is made of three fully rearranged covers, the first of which, you really have to pay attention to find the original slowed down (again the Fudge thing) Lovin' Spoonful classic - a masterstroke. Up next is a daring (but doomed) rendition of the hit California Dreamin - but who could have replaced those gorgeous vocal harmonies. As daring, bold audacious as it may be, this is partly successful- therefore implying also a failure - the Fudge would've not missed this one!!! Reach out is another strongly psyched and progged-out cover.

Although not perfect, this debut album holds much promise for the future and it will be bright (but short since they only made one more album), as the following is very Zappa- esque. Both albums have been recently re-issued (first time on Cd) by the Australian label Progressive line and it is an excellent 2 on 1 deal.

RECREATION were a trio out of Belgium consisting of bass, drums and organ. After listening to their debut you might wonder why it's tagged Rio / Avant. And the follow-up I would describe as more of a Psychedelic album, but I digress. Despite the band ending this their debut album with three covers I thoroughly enjoyed this record.The distorted bass with those excellent organ runs as the drums pound away is blissful to say the least.

Up first is "Burning Chapel" and the organ early on sounds incredible. We get some vocal melodies that come and go as the drums pound and the bass throbs. "Running For Life" has a beat with cymbals to start then it kicks in with organ. Nice bass too, in fact this is a killer tune. "Sexual Lover" has some more wicked bass and organ runs. It does settle as the organ floats above the soundscape.The vocal expressions after 3 minutes are cool.The drums lead before 6 minutes as fuzzed out bass and organ come and go. It kicks back in late to end it.

"Summer In The City" along with the next two songs are covers. Floating organ here as we get random drum patterns. It kicks in at 1/2 minutes. "California Dreaming" has a powerful intro before it settles into that familiar sound. And it sounds incredible with the nimble bass,solid drumming and fantastic sounding organ. "Reach Out, I'll Be There" is so well done and a great way to finish the record.

In my opinion this is well worth hunting down for the bass and organ alone.