SIX

Exit Elton Dean and enter Karl Jenkins formerly of NUCLEUS. Actually the drummer John Marshall is also from that great band. The addition of Jenkins is significant considering his composing skills and the fact that he is a multi-instrumentalist. In fact he would be involved in composing 8 of the 15 tracks here.This was originally released as a double album with the first record being a "live" one from their tour of Europe in 1972. The second record is a studio recording in which each of the four members composed one track each.

The first record is interesting because although it's "live" none of these tracks except for "All White" had been released before. "Fanfare" sounds so amazing with the electric piano, sax and drums standing out. It blends right into "All White" from the "Fifth" album. Jenkins leads the way but I like the drumming on this one best. "Between" features lots of atmosphere and keys. "Riff" has a great sound to it. Some nice bass lines as Jenkins comes barging in. I like the rhythm here. "37 1/2" is so intricate and jazzy and I love the sax. "Gesolreut" has such a groove to it. Cool song. "E.V.P." is laid back with that high pitched sax ? "Lefty" is a little experimental early before we get some good drumming. "Stumble" is good as we get piano and sax with outbursts of drums. "5 From 13" is a drum solo. This song blends into "Riff II" where he's still beating the hell out of his drums.

The studio album starts with Jenkins' "The Soft Weed". Kind of cool to hear dual piano melodies here as Ratledge and Jenkins do their thing. Drums and bass join in after 3 minutes followed by sax. The song ends as it began. "Stanley Stamps Gibbon Album" is Marshall's song. This one features drums and percussion.The tempo picks up when the aboe arrives. "Chloe And The Pirates" is a Ratledge tune. It's actually spacey to start until it changes after 2 minutes when the sax comes in and a steady beat. It's spacey again to end it with sax. "1983" is Hopper's song. Interesting that he called his first solo album "1984". And yes it's a continuation of the experimentation that's found in this tune. I like the dark piano that comes and goes throughout.

Interesting that with Hopper's good friend Elton Dean gone he has taken a back seat here. Perhaps voluntarily, perhaps not.