LONG LIVE THE SLICED HAM

3.5 stars. KANDAHAR released two very good albums in the mid seventies and "Long Live The Sliced Ham" is their debut from 1974. A five piece out of Belgium these guys have a sense of humour and play mainly in that Jazz Rock style with lots of guest horns besides their own sax and flute player. Lots of guest vocals as well and plenty of silliness with the vocal style and lyrics. Some call this Jazz Rock/ Canterbury but I feel this is more Zappa influenced than Canterbury.

When it comes to Jazz Rock and Belgium no one did it better than Marc Moulin's PLACEBO in my opinion and while this album hits some real highs as in my top three tracks here I find this album to be very inconsistent. Too many skippable tracks to make this a four star record and yet this is so adventerous. Honestly, Zappa fans I believe for the most part will love this record. Like a comedy album at times but it's like hearing that same joke over and over. Not sure about the futuristic album cover and how it relates in any way to the music here unless they are fancy models?.

The opening two tracks certainly had me excited the first time I heard this beginning with the energetic and catchy "Down At The Finckle's" followed by "Eyes Of Glass" but my favourite is "The Fancy Model" which simply sounds amazing compared to the rest. That bass and guitar solo and of course horns. It ends with a gong which they borrowed from the Navy apparently. "Survivin' Boogie" and the longest track "When She Flies Away" which is the closer really disappoint, more my tastes than anything but yikes!

Lots to like here but no this isn't another COS or even PAZOP. Talented band.