LIVE AT BUSH HALL LONDON

DREAM MACHINE plays at the Bush Hall in London in November 2005 to promote their debut album 'Trilogia'. As the title implies three space rock jams are presented - even more extended than on the regular album. Founding members Gabriele Tosti (bass) and keyboarder Julian Adamoli are aboard, plus John Egan (wind instruments) who is also known for his collaboration with Ozric Tentacles. Regular member Seaweed, another OT ex-band mate is substituted by Joie Hinton at the synthesizer on this evening. Additionally we have drummer Maurizio Rossi and Alex Pym (guitar) completing the line-up.

Besides the fact that some crew members are having an Italian origin Egan offers multilingual announcements - space rockers are international of course! Fortunately the video mix is produced not that spectacular and turbulent - very suitable as for my taste - capturing the concentrated acting band members during the show with alternating views. And the professional colorful trippy lightshow makes this gig to an extraordinary experience finally. Very special by the way is the total view featuring a sparkling candelabra.

The 80 minutes lasting recording is devided in three songs - so it's not difficult to notice that the band's emphasis is on extended improvisations. But you have to follow up the whole gig for to state that this is well structured too. Bass, guitar and flute are placed to the front on the stage, maybe one can say representing the band's more soloing section whereas drums and keys are serving the solid background in the majority. Invisible Maze opens the gig. The first minutes are reserved for an ambient sound check preparing for the lift-off and then Rossi enters with his beat - all engines are running now immediately with propulsive drive! Alex Pym is convincing with his emotional echoed way of guitar playing. Gabriele Tosti surprises with much varity on his bass in opposite to a monotonous behaviour which is the trademark of some space rock bands.

As for both key instruments you will detect some nice electric piano and organ additions by Julian Adamoli and Joie Hinton is responsible for the spheric, swirling and bubbling moments. The band plays as an entity. Consisting of alternating ups and downs - or you can say culminations and recovery phases - the song structure is space rock typical. The same on the next song Macchina Dread initiated by a relaxed chilling raggae/dub vibe. Announced enthusiastically by Tosti Logia Dei Sogni is the core with a total length of more than 30 minutes. This is all provided with more stylistical varity starting jazz rock tinged first but also consisting of some weird parts with transitions to krautrock I would say.

Lovers of extended space rock jamming will enjoy this one. John Egan offers an interesting folksy ethnic contrast to the band's rocking elements with his flutes. Not intending to diminish the others I especially want to point out Alex Pym's conspicious guitar work. You shouldn't miss that!