Solution - Cordon Bleu (1975) (LP) - €10,00

posted  by ad-vinylrecords

Solution from Holland was one of the enjoyble bands from early to late'70's from progressive jazz fusion realm. 

Haveing a moderate succes in this field specialy for their third album Cordon bleu from 1975 with each album rlease after they become more an more mainstream jazz fusion, ligher and almost gone towards comercial side. 

Anyway this third album issued at Elton John's label Rocket records in 1975 keeps the flag high in jazz fusion world, being one of the pleasent surprises coming from Holland in that period. 

The album alternates from long instrumental pieces like Chappaqua and Whirligig with short pieces those being with voice. 

The musicianship is great, the thing that I'm not agree that this is their best album is that the song writting is to usual, I mean I can hear this kind of arrangements on many jazz fusion bands from that period, but in the end the album is not bad at all only common to my ears. So, a pleasent album, nothing really spectacular, well played and with some nice instrumental passages.

They developed sense of catchy & addictive rhythm: they produce very accessible (although not simple), melodic, lively & slightly romantic sax-oriented jazz-rock compositions. 

The omnipresent melodies and harmonies coming from keyboards and multiple saxes proudly stand on "solid as a rock" foot beating rhythms provided by the drums, the bass and sometimes low pitched keyboards. 

The omnipresent keyboards occupy a very important place in the music: catchy & jazzy piano, floating organ, joyful clavinet?, tender Fender Rhodes, and some other more modern floating keyboards. The bass, very rhythmic and complex, is quite loud and full of bottom. The impressively elaborated & varied drums have the Phil Collins' style of the mid 70's. 

Shall we mention the presence of some very good male lead & backing vocals. There are very rare acoustic and electric guitars, but they are so discreet that the album sounds like no guitars are present. The final last track has a beautiful flute part, contrasting with all the previous sax marathon! The overall sound is ABSOLUTELY pleasant, fresh and clean! All the tracks are excellent! The sax parts and vocals sound a bit like the ones on the Passport's Earthborn album (Klaus Doldinger's band); the "Cordon bleu" sound is however less modern. 

Side one

1.  Chappaqua - 10:25

2.  Third Line (Part 1) - 1:45

3.  Third Line (Part 2) - 5:35

4.  A Song For You - 3:51

Side two

1.  Whirligig - 8:57

2.  Last Detail (Part 1) - 2:55

3.  Last Detail (Part 2) - 2:34

4.  Black Pearl (Part 1) - 1:20

5.  Black Pearl (Part 2 - 4:54

Line-up / Musicians

- Guus Willemse / lead & backing vocals, bass, guitar 

- Willem Ennes / electric & acoustic pianos, organ, Elka Rhapsody (string synth)

- Tom Barlage / alto & soprano saxophones, flute , percussion, backing vocals

- Hans Waterman / drums

With:

- Frankie Fish / backing vocals

- Michiel Pos / additional tenor sax , acoustic guitar 

Companies, etc.

• Recorded At – Rockfield Studios
• Remixed At – Marquee Studios
• Manufactured By – EMI-Bovema Holland
• Phonographic Copyright ℗ – EMI-Bovema Holland
• Phonographic Copyright ℗ – The Rocket Record Company

Credits

• Backing Vocals – Frankie Fish, Guus, Tom
• Design [Sleeve Design], Photography By – Hipgnosis
• Engineer [Recording] – Pat Moran, Phil Dunne
• Engineer [Remixing] – Steve Holroyd
• Layout [Lettering] – Richard Evans
• Producer, Engineer [Remixing] – Gus Dudgeon

Notes

Release: 1975

Format:  LP

Genre:  Jazz-Rock

Label:  The Rocket Record Company

Catalog#  5C 062-97136

Vinyl:  Excellent

Cover:   Excellent

Prijs: €10,00