RADIO GNOME INVISIBLE VOL. 3 - YOU

On the third volume of the 'Radio Gnome' trilogy Gong has undergone some major changes musically and production-wise. The comedy and the loose psychedelic song-writing is bogged down and now the more jazz rock influences space rock explorations are the favored form. On this recording the very steady drums of Pierre Moerlen became instrumental in reaching a new tight sound to carry all other ideas. The music sounds that much more professional for it, yet it gives in on some of that hippy psych charm in which Gong also thrived. The production sound is among the best of seventies and has aged very well. The spacey synths of Tim Blake are now present at all times and they sound just amazing. Guitar player Steve Hillage had contributed to Gong in a pleasant way, but on this album he regained a place like he had whilst playing in Kahn; playing some of the best echoed rock guitar in his career. Most tracks are space rock instrumentals with only minor vocal parts in which Deavid Allen adds the personality that is so often lacking on space rock albums. The rhythm-section of Moerlen and Howitt is now comparable to the best of the seventies fusion scene, which also makes the album a bit intense to listen to. To wrap things up; 'You' is an un-interrupted space rock trip that has every member performing at its best. It's also a definitive wave of goodbye to sixties hippi-culture and Gong's progressive extension of it. The cover artwork of this album is among my favorites ever made.

If you already like this album I recommend giving (ex-Hawkwind's) Nik Turner's 'Space Fusion Odyssey' a spin as well.