SNAFU

Gone is French Canadian Dave Dufont from the drum kit and Steve York on bass and in comes Geoff Brittan and Andy Sneddon respectively. This second album is a much proggier statement than Mercator Projected, but it is still plagued with imperfections but none are glaring. The sound is rather different but is also tighter (different rhythm section) , but the three frontmen Arbus , Caines and Nicholson are still there.

The intro of the album does bring you back to their debut with its hard blues- derived prog, but soon forgotten by a two-part track starting with an almost free jazz intro but second part Marcus Junior instils an eastern European feel to the much improvised but structured finale. The six-part 8min long third track (a bit like some Caravan tracks the parts have names but the collective track has no clear name) is clearly the centre of the album, but again it is relatively slow to start and only in the Ramadhan, does it raise your eyebrow with interest and the slight Arabic feel is confirmed throughout the track even if they evoke a Mingus theme and a short drum solo.

The Italian named opener (2nd side) is full of weird but basic tape effect that unfortunately last too long and irritates with repeated listenings. The 8min+ Confucius is again slow to develop but here the great Arabic Gum intro with fitting ambiances are delightful, with the flute evoking a bit Focus's Anonymous theme. Clearly another highlight of this album as the track develops in an insane and chaotic quagmire. Nymphenberger is one of those tracks that most of the older progheads have heard without ever knowing it was East Of Eden, but it was a minor hit and justifiably so, even if it pales in comparison with their next hit Jig-A-Jig. Next up is another multi (three in this case) part track that veers between mid- Eastern ambiances and almost free jazz before easing into an awesome improv where the violins are left right and centre until the Nymphenberger is briefly reprised before reverting to the previous madness. The Outro is a slow track oscillating with almost declamative vocals and piano-electronic doodlings - sounds a bit like 70's beat poet happening.

Clearly the better of East Of Eden albums, this is also the last album where the three kingpins were together as the mega hit (and completely atypical of their style) will change many things, the next album boasting a completely different line- up save Dave Arbus.