RADIO GNOME INVISIBLE VOL. 2 - ANGEL'S EGG

Pt. 2 of the Radio Gnome Trilogy starts unpromisingly (yes, it's that dratted space whisper again...) but sax, synths and percussion soon lay down an enticing rhythm, and when Steve Hillage's lead guitar comes in, the effect is overpowering. The very moment 'Sold to the highest Buddha' begins, you realise this is the first official Gong album featuring Pierre Moerlen, and yes sir, the master's style is already recognisable! I must admit I find the second half of the original A-side sleep-inducing (apart from the gorgeous 43-second 'Giving my luv to you') but the B-side is a triumph from start to finish. Undoubtedly the freshest sequence of pure songs Gong ever put to record! It's hard to explain why this side works so well; it must be that near-perfect combination of jazzy sax riffs, spacy bass riffs, happy songs with whacky lyrics, superb drumming, gorgeous flute and guitar solos, plus 'percolations' on vibraphone...

At the end of the irresistible 'Eat that Phonebook', when Daevid Allen sings: 'Here's your angels egg for breakfast in the morning (bye bye!)', I always feel I want to hug him - and I'm NOT a sentimental guy.