THE CIVIL SURFACE

EGG had actually broken up before this album with Dave Stewart moving on to form HATFIELD AND THE NORTH and Mont Campbell off to get his music degree. There was some unfinished business though as the band felt some of the material they had composed and played live needed to be put on an album, so they reformed for this record only. They brought in some guests to help out in Steve Hillage, Tim Hodgkinson, Lindsay Coooper, THE NORTHETTES (Barbara Gaskin, Amanda Parsons & Ann Rosenthal) among others. After this Clive Brooks the drummer would go on to play in a Rock / Blues band while Stewart and Campbell would form NATIONAL HEALTH. That early incarntion of NATIONAL HEALTH composed lots of music and played live many times but never put out an album because no record label would sign them. Check out their "Missing Pieces" album to hear these previously unrealesed tracks.That first incarnation had among other Bill Bruford, Pip Plye, Steve Hillage, Phil Miller, Phil Lee, Alan Gowen and more.

"Germ Patrol" opens with faint percussion as other sounds eventually come and go. The drums take the lead then keys come in. Some fuzzed out organ after 4 1/2 minutes. Nice. "Wind Quartet 1" and the part 2 were added to really pad the album says Dave Stewart. He also says they're not really EGG material but something Mont was working on. "Enneagram" is the highlight for me and a song they used to open their shows with. Just a solid sound to open with those crisp drums. The sound quality is excellent. It settles 4 minutes in and this sounds amazing too. It's bulding then it settles again around 6 1/2 minutes before kicking in one more time. Incredible !

"Prelude" opens with keyboards and bass before the drums join in. Female vocal melodies (THE NORTHETTES) come and go.The organ dominates around 3 minutes. "Wring Out The Ground Loosely Now" kicks in right away with vocals, drums and keyboards standing out. Great sound. It turns spacey after 2 minutes. Drums and a melody around 3 minutes, fuzz organ follows and some nice bass. Vocals and that opening soundscape are back after 6 minutes. What a song ! "Nearch" opens with drums and wind instruments. I'm thinking HENRY COW before a minute.

A very solid album that all Canterbury fans should check out.

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