801 LIVE

Great live debut of short-lived Phil Manzanera (ex-Roxy Music) project. Almost all-stars line- up,including Brian Eno,Bill MacCormick (Quiet Sun), Francis Monkman (Curved Air,Sky),Simon Phillips (played everywhere) and Lloyd Watson on slide guitar.

From the very first sounds you feel what a great music is! Very rich bass line, melodic, but never too sweet songs, very intelligent Manzanera's guitar line. Mid-tempo songs with perfect vocal. A bit dreamy atmosphere. The music itself is mix of bass driven jazz fusion, some art- rock and some early Eno (before ambient) pieces. Alltogether sounds fantastic!!!

Recorded live, album looks more as studio recording. Sound quality is perfect and music complexity is at the level of studio work. Lp's side A is absolute gem. Second side is good, but not so concentrated. But all album is great!

For me this work, near UK debut album, is two albums illustrated greatest progressive rock level somewhere in late seventies.