A=MH2

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3,5 stars really!!!

This duo produced three albums that were a bit over-looked at the time of release but have been highly regarded by collectors for decades now. This is their only album that has an interest for progheads as the other two are definitely more bluesy (one for sure) .

The C & H duo provides four lenghty tracks full ,of improvisations but not the hippy kind of boring solos , but rather intricate modal improvs around Indian and Spanish music. Please note that the fifth track is not an original vinyl track but a bonus track and also an alternate version of the album opening track. Experimental? Not really but but if you like strong instrumental virtuosity , this is the kind of album that shoulsd please you.

This is the kind of rare lost gems from the 70's that almost all first hour progheads will cherish although this was released and still available since the early 90's on German label Repertoire records - always more advisable and respectful than the doubtful Italian Akarma label were Author's Right are not fully recognized.

A=mh2 = magic!

Two musicians, Andy Clarke and Mick Hutchinson, recorded this album in two twelve hour sessions, playing all instruments between them including bass, keyboards, rhythm and lead guitar and various percussion instruments, and as the sleeve notes stress, " no technical wizardry or trickery", meaning good old fashioned musicianship! Many influences on this their first album such as flamenco guitar, "raga" style and various ethnic rhythms all work together creating a very interesting listen. All are technical masterpieces, though by today's standards they may sound somewhat basic, and only using an eight track recording studio. For 1969 made very interesting listening as eastern music was very popular then.

"Improvisation on a Modal Scale" - improvisation is the word here, some excellent guitar soloing over a repeated theme as in most of the tracks here followed by the beautiful "Acapulco Gold" which features some masterly flamenco style "slightly amplified" guitar playing, the sleeve notes strongly state "no double tracking" - ok i believe them!.

"Impromptu in E Minor" crashes in, a rather Bolero style beat overplayed with a rather tinny sounding rhythm guitar and piano, followed by distorted lead guitar solo, leading up to that Bolero-style build up complete with male voice choir! I like it.

"Textures in 3/4" begins with a rather native american style intro using drum and maraccas, introducing a sax solo with flutes which build into a very pleasant piece, interspersed with lead guitar and piano solos creating a distinctly eastern- style hypnotic effect, leading up to the longest track on the album "Improvisation on an Indian Scale" which seems to attract the most attention to this album, it is 13.5 minutes of eastern magic, very popular music at the time, and according to the sleeve notes "brings forth some of the most skilful intricate and fastest guitar work ever put to disc.." i won't dispute that as there is some fine playing on this album which would interest musicians or simply the curious, but may be lost on those less interested in musicianship but those who just like to hear a good song. 37 years on this does sound rather simple to modern ears but i enjoy the album immensely and would recommend it as a very interesting piece of early, though unusual progressive music, and considering the many styles and influences contained therein i'll give it five - an essential addition!

A fantasist and amazing musical essay for brilliant electric guitar solos, raga-psych and bluesy rock. Without any doubt the best release from Mick Hutchinson / Andy Clark collaboration. "A=mh2" is covered by gorgeous improvised guitar parts in a rather technical style. Hutchinson's guitar inspiration is accompanied by acoustic percussions, sometimes punctuated by piano / flute arrangements. "Improvisation on an Indian Scale" culminates the album: an extended 13 minutes improvisation for an intense fuzzy-folky-raga incantation. The guitar solo section is sustained by a solid rhythmical guitar / percussion accompaniement. The leading theme is played by furious, trance-like and cyclical" electric guitar solos: an almost "esoteric" sounding jam. "Acapulco Gold" is an electro-acoustic dominated guitar composition with a nice, catchy sense of "introspection" and some furious "flamenco" like accents. The jazzy and groovy "Improvisation on a Modal Scale" is the least interesting moment despite really nice guitar sections. "Impromptu in 'E' Minor" is a gentle folky improvisation around the piano and some obsessive guitar sequences. "Textures in 3/4" features an almost "Celtic", folkish guitar improvisation with a definitely cool electric melody. A rarity and really impressive, inspired late 60's project, historically speaking this is a must have!

And last genre to visit, indo-prog, raga rock. But sad thing is that right after listening another new genre, Zeuhl. OK, this can't be compared, so I'll try to be correct. I have to admit that I both don't like this kind of music ("yet" maybe), nor see much prog things in it. It sounds little bit like psychedelic rock, it's also trying to be hypnotic, but not so successfully.

But to the music. Basic foundation is something like ambient guitar riff and (as first and last track announces) improvisation. Because it's rock with India influences, I suppose that this oriental melody is it. Quite nice though, I always liked it. But sadly, it's so slow and can't catch my attention. Not that slow things are bad, this is quite boring for me. Maybe it IS me who's wrong, but for now, I feel it that way (for late changes of mind are there edit buttons).

Music without voice, guitar solos over and over again. But this guitar is so magical at times. But mostly, it's not so good, just tracks 1 and 5 sounds very good. Therefore, 3(+) stars.