EGG

"Egg" is the eponymously titled debut full-length studio album by progressive rock act Egg. The album was released through Deram Records in March 1970. Egg was founded in July 1968 by three former members of psycehdelic rock band Uriel. In a strange turn of events the original quartet lineup of Uriel got the chance to record an album after the band had split-up, and they took the opportunity releasing the 1969 "Arzachel" album under the Arzachel monicker. Arzachel/Uriel was never meant to be a lasting union though and as guitarist/vocalist Steve Hillage went back to university, the three other members went back to being Egg.

Although there are clear connections on this Egg debut album to the "Arzechel" album, Egg are a trio without a guitarist, and it´s organ/piano, bass, drums, and vocals which drag the load. Lead vocalist/bassist Mont Campbell has a relatively unremarkable voice, but the vocals are relatively sparse on the album. While the rhythm section is strong and powerful playing, it´s the organ/piano playing of Dave Stewart which is the dominant element of the album...and rightly so, as Stewart is a skilled and adventurous performer.

The semi-jazzy Canterbury scene progressive rock sound is all over this album, and it´s a combination of being a relatively technical progressive rock release and a more laid back experimental rock act. There is also a strong classical music element on the album. Elements of the works of Igor Stravinsky and Gustav Holst are found on the 20:41 minutes long "Symphony No. 2" and Egg plays a rock version of Johann Sebastian Bach´s "Fugue in D Minor". In that respect Egg use some of the same elements as contemporary artists like Jethro Tull, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, and The Nice.

The album features an organic and well sounding production job, and although it´s not a perfect release, this is still a good quality debut album from Egg and there´s lots of promise here, which they would fulfill on the next couple of releases. A 3.5 star (35%) rating is deserved.

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