BLACK HOLE STARS

A short-lived British supergroup, formed by ex-Man Phil Ryan (keyboards, vocals) and Will Youatt (bass, guitar, vocals) along with Gentle Giant's drummer John Weathers at the end of 1973, all of them played together in Pete Brown & Piblokto! in early-70's.The three of them actually recorded Neutron's first couple of tracks (''Living in the World Today'' and ''Snow Covered Eyes'') at Rockfield Studios near Monmouth, before being joined by Martin Wallace (guitar, vocals), Taff Williams (guitar, bass), ex-The Incredible String Band Stuart Gordon on violin and female singer Caromay Dixon.The rest of Neutrons' debut ''Black Hole Star'' was recorded in mid-1974 at Chipping Norton Recording Studios and the album was released in September 1974 on United Artists.

The debut of Neutrons was a mixed bag of MAN-like artistic Classic Rock and Classic 70's Progressive Rock, apparently sounding quite charming but a bit incosistent.There are some very good tracks like the opening bluesy Progressive Rock of ''Living in the World Today'' or the instrumental ''Dangerous Decisions'', which is beautiful, high class Progressive Rock with dominant piano and synth deliveries, short but great guitar moves and impressive keyboard solos in the vein of GENESIS.''Dance of the Psychedelic Lounge Lizards'' is another piece reminiscent of GENESIS' offerings with GABRIEL-esque vocals, highlighted though by Gordon's extraordinary violin drives.''Going to India'', ''Mermaid and Chips'' or ''Feel'' are soft but not equally impressive pieces with somesort of RENAISSANCE/YES/ILLUSION feel, but while they create a very deep atmosphere, they do not seem to have something new to add to an already saturated prog scene.''Snow Covered Eyes'' and ''Doom City'' is another pair of decent pieces, good organ work strong bluesy guitar parts, drawing heavy Psych/Prog influences in the vein of MAN.

Neutron's music is well-played and executed, while some moments on this album flirt with the grandiosity of the biggest prog acts of the time.On the other hand the lack of a strong personality and the shadow of MAN's music that covers the release prevent ''Black Hole Star'' from being a trully shiny star.Still recommended if you like all kind of 70's Prog.