PRE-FLIGHT

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The Akarma reprint of this very obscure English record (the rarest of Deram) had been lying in my favorite vinyl- shop in Nijmegen for a year until another collector turned in on in the shop. We were both amazed by how advanced and original it sounded, moreover it contained some melodies that were unforgettable. He had first pick so eventually I had to wait for months before I could get my hand on the new stock of Room's Pre-Flight.

It was worth the wait. Room is a female-led early progressive rock group with minor orchestrations, simple jazzy vocals, heavy guitars and extended tracks. Like most early progressive rock-groups there's also some blues-rock and jazz-rock. The mix of genres works great for variety and is a good example of its time. The use of a small orchestra (violins, violas, cellos, bass, trumpets, horn, trombone) is always risky business for progressive rock-groups, but Room excels in its limited and effective use. Way better integrated then, for example, the silly orchestrations on Salisbury. Another key-element of the listening experience is the recording quality, which is remarkably good for such an unknown record - especially when it comes to the spacious feeling. The instruments are well spread in the musical landscape.

The vocals of Jane Kevern, that showcase and interest in the great female jazz-vocalists of the fifties, sound a bit frail, but repeated listening somehow did a lot of good for me. Some of her lines are just so adorable and she really sounds like a person in the moment. Because of the vocals some will be reminded of the Affinity record. The electric guitars sound fine throughout the record, heavy rock (almost proto-metal at times) with original melodies and an almost jazz-rock like control. The real star of Room is the drummer; Bob Jenkins. Always finding a way to interpret the riffs as being jazzy, he's rolls and cymbals are a delight to listen to.

Whilst the first side has a fifty/fifty approach when it comes to blues-rock and progressive rock, the second side is full-blown progressive rock with three epic tracks. In its approach to experimental rock composition the band is utterly original. Both Andromada and War have melodies that are elegant and catchy has hell, whilst having unpredictable instrumental sections with great (but timid) use of the classical instruments.

Conclusion. This has quickly become one of my favorite records of 1970. It captures the experimental mood in its finest moment without exposing us to over-indulgence and avant-garde noodling. I can recommend it to listeners of eclectic prog, symphonic prog, jazz-rock, proto-prog and collectors of English rarities in general. Rating? Five stars.

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