FINANCIAL TYCOON

A Progressive/Jazz-Rock band from Denmark,Coma came from the city of Frederikshavn in the northern part of the country and were around since 1971.The main line-up consisted of five members on bass/drums/saxes/double guitars and their debut ''Financial tycoon'' was recorded at Plexus Studios in Ringsted with three guest musicians on vibraphone,trumpet and violin.The album was released in 1977 by Genlyd Grammofon.

A quite daring band not afraid to mix different sights and sounds,Coma travelled from Zappa-esque Jazz-Rock to Psychedelic Heavy Rock and back.The majority of the tracks falls into a Jazz-Rock, often meeting straight Jazz on the way,with huge and interesting sax solos by Jakob Mygind in the style of OUT OF FOCUS and technical playing by the rhythm section blended with obscure vocals with a humurous edge.But the story on ''Financial tycoon'' goers much further.The double guitar attack of Viggo Bertelsen and Flemming Friberg pushes the sound in Heavy Rock realms and offers good breaks between the sax-dominated pieces,which alternate from furious solos to melodic passages.Not much of abstract and disturbing improvisations in here,the tracks have an evident tight structure and,though not on the level of bands like DR. DOPO JAM or moreover SECRET OYSTER,they contain all the right ingredients to offer a pleasant experience.

Another lost and forgotten Jazz-Rock item from the 70's,''Financial tycoon'' is an all the way decent release of jazzy Progressive rock,recommended to fans of demanding musicianship.

For my money this album is one of the best to come out of Denmark, in fact right now I'd say it's my favourite. I'd also mention SECRET OYSTER's "Furtive Pearl" and DR. DOPO JAM's "Entree" as possibly my top three from that nation. All three have that jazzy style that I love and certainly "Financial Tycoon" and "Entree" have strong Zappa influences both instrumentally and lyrically. Other bands I thought of while listening to "Financial Tycoon" were early KRAAN and SUPERSISTER. The band thanks Jimmy Carter, the CIA and Frank Zappa among others. Funny guys as the three tracks with lyrics attest. This was released in 1977 and the lyrics would really be considered politically incorrect these days(haha). Lots of sax and guitar in fact there are two guitarists.

"Up From The Sump..." is something like 21 seconds of spacey but dramatic sounds before "Financial Tycoon 1" kicks in. I really dig the melody to this one as the horns blast away. It settles back after 1 1/2 minutes then the humerous vocals kick in. So good. A nice sax/ drum section eventually follows then the guitar comes in lighting it up. I love the tone of the guitar. "Peter Grynt" has a feel good sound to it at first but then the tempo picks up and the guitar joins in picking away. Sax comes in as well with guns a blazing. I like how melancholic the guitar is that follows. "One Of Them Crazy Gurues In Love" is pleasant and jazzy with relaxed horns. Vibes later as the horns and drums continue. "Fulton" is a top four and this ends side one. How good does this sound!? Again the guitar just hits the spot for me. It then settles into a relaxed horn led section, in fact it's quite psychedelic here. The guitar is back along with a yell. Themes are repeated.

"Financial Tycoon 2" opens with the guitar and sax trading solos before it settles and the vocals arrive. Funny stuff. Instrumentally I'm thinking early GONG then we get some soaring guitar later. A top four. "A Hard Banana" has a catchy beat with guitar and sax playing over top. Some impressive drum work here and throughout this album really. "Frank Felding" is a top four with that heavier sound and how about that sax solo. More heaviness then it settles back as vibes help out. "... Down From The Trees" has guest violin leading the way in this short instrumental piece. "Tumbling Shadows" is my final top four. Sax eventually leads the way but it trades off with the guitar. Vocals arrive then some dissonant sax when he stops singing. Nice guitar work halfway through as he is ripping it up. So impressive. It settles late as the vocals return along with sax. The guitar is back with 2 minutes to go and it turns chaotic just before the song ends.

Complex yet so funny certainly describes Zappa doesn't it? And this album from COMA as well. I believe a couple of these amazing instrumentalists from this band now play with Robin Taylor who is still putting out great music. This is almost flawless for my tastes and deserves the 5 star rating.