An all-star Canterbury scene mix of prog-rock & fusion
S. Mcausland | Lake Worth, FL USA | 10/07/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Seven hard years in the making, drummer PIP PYLE's first solo disc reunites for the first time in decades the original line-up of the HATFIELD AND THE NORTH. Songs include numerous French and English prog/fusion scenesters, including HUGH HOPPER, who joins PIP for a sonic noise freak-out in the old SOFT MACHINE tradition. DAVE STEWART is ubiquitous both on piano and synthesizers. RICHARD SINCLAIR plays bass and gives a couple of songs his wonderful vocal delivery. PHIL MILLER, as usual, shredding amazing guitar lines. JOHN GREAVES contributes some bass and vocal weirdness. The tunes are all unique, each a complete work in itself. This is an introspective album, with many delicate subtlties. There are few rock-outs as there always were with NATIONAL HEALTH or HATFIELD or GONG, and I was disappointed that PIP didn't get down and groove like an octopus on the drums more than he does, but that is a minor point on an otherwise historicaly significant masterpiece. PIP, I'll gladly wait seven more years for the next..."
And I thought they didn't write them like that anymore.
M. Sommers | Athens Greece | 09/18/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"It was always clear (to me, anyway) from his compositions for Hatfield and the North or National Health that there was a lot more to Pip Pyle than just being a drummer of astonishing brilliance, and this album largely confirms it. There are a couple of tracks on it which don't really grab me (specifically "Long On" and "Shipwrecked (with idle hands)", but I would say that the album is worth buying for the beautiful "7 Sisters" alone, and there is a lot more very worthwhile music here, too. Phil Miller in particular shines amongst a cast of fabulous musicians."
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1
