ISOTOPE

This is the third and final Isotope installment, not as strong overall as their unique "Illusion" album which thrilled prog mostly due to the presence of the amazing Hugh Hopper from the Soft Machine. There is something inherently charming about Isotope's music, a unique style that does not necessarily leap out at the listener but leaves quite a positive impression. Besides the Soft comparison, there are also some strident similarities to Brand X or its suburban cousin Wilding-Bonus, playing a very British form of jazz-rock, slightly funky, quirky and humorous, proven by the presence of Robin Lumley at the control board.

The sheer technical prowess of Irish master guitarist Gary Boyle (easily among the leaders in the most underrated musician category) rivals the pedigree of such illustrious players as John MacLaughlin or Allan Holdsworth while drummer Nigel Morris is in the same drummer class as other Brit luminaries Jon Hiseman or John Marshall.. Previous keyboardist /dentist Laurie Scott is replaced by the groovier duo of Zoe Kronenberg and Frank Roberts, thus emitting a cooler style to the proceedings. Lots of groovy Fender Rhodes electric piano (a glorious instrument severely lacking in today's scene!) of which I am an unashamed addict, some occasional clavinet and some chirpy synthesizers are strewn throughout the disc to complement the swirling and ultra-busy Boyle fretboard . Some may complain that this music seems outdated by today's muddled standards but may I remind you all that prog (as well as good jazz, Beethoven, Mozart and Bartok!) is essentially timeless while being a symbol of its times. All the tracks are of interest such as the choppy "Pipe Dream", the suave "Black Sand" , the rumbling "Mr.M's Picture", the "Crunch Cake" funk ride, the lovely "Another Side" with loads of Spanish guitar, the Asian-tinged "Attila" , the Hopper penned and played "Fonebone" and the sultry title track, an 8 minute+ sonic ride that enthralls completely . 4 of these tracks have a 2001 remix version that only increases the pleasure. Admittedly this is not for everyone but if you like massive doses of e-piano, fabulous guitar and prolific drumming, this is definitely for you. I adore my 3 Isotope albums, precious additions that simply transcend the prog norm.

4.5 Rhodes

Way back in the 70s I was really fascinated by Gary Boyle's guitar playing ... pretty much like Allan Holdsworth, John McLaughlin or Larry Coryell. No, don't want to compare them from a stylistical point of view, I only like to highlight an extraordinary spirit which units them all. This album has been part of my vinyl collection ... until I decided to sell (nearly) all my LP's to an enthusiastic collector. Some time ago I came back to this by accident and noticed that a modified version exists in the meanwhile released on See For Miles. This means the album title as well as the track order have been changed and some remixes were included too.

I'm sure you feel the same sometimes? Someone mentions a band or artist and then you immediately associate this with a special song? When it comes to Gary Boyle respectively ISOTOPE it's Deep End - my absolute favourite. And so first of all it's some spacey flavour which attracts attention. I mean the intro before the machines begin to proceed really. Here were have a proper proportion of improvisation, however interweaved with a tricky arrangement. Speaking of a groovy fundament which is interrupted by some wonderful relaxed interludes with subsequent piano and guitar solo excursions. I love this song! Gary Boyle at his best, no doubt! But to make it clear, he's far away from a dominance.

Due to the fact that we have two keyboarder equivalently acting here, Zoe Kronberger and Frank Roberts, I'm not able to say which part they play. Sometimes it sounds close to Jan Hammer. I like the groovy dynamic on Crunch Cake where some other songs are coming more from a popular jazz rock territory like Fonebone or Pip Dream which partially is close to Joe Sample's Crusaders. Sliding Dogs Lion Sandwhich is a nice bonus surprise, especially dedicated to this release ... and fantastic on top of it! Well, an improv track with some avant touch. Probably a leftover from the original recording sessions and simply considered to be too weird?

And now to this remixes ... there is nothing new to state practically ... to be honest, it took some time to make friends. Nothing new concerning the compositions - but for one or two it might be interesting to notice the brilliance as for the updated sound quality and the presence of keyboards and guitar especially. Nowadays, with an interval of more than 30 years (and while also demanding an higher standard probably) I'm still positive about the album's spirit - 'Deep End ... Plus' is essential, a fine recommendable jazz rock/fusion effort.

I really enjoyed listening to this recording. The musicians here are absolutely fabulous and do amazing things with their respective instruments. I have no doubt this was a good group to watch live. But You know what? I don´t like this kind of music, It has no effect on me whatsoever. I feel in ta hotel lobby with a Mint Julep in hand and moving rythmically my head and my feet. It tends to get boring as hell. I just don't dig this kind of music. Anyway if You are fond of Jazz Rock/Fusion this is a one CD to look for. Sorry, the rating is for how this music makes me feel not about the music.

A very good album of Jazz Rock Fusion. A band with a musician (Hugh Hopper), that play with another fusion bands (Soft Machine is one of then). It´s a album with some psichedelic parts but with guitar improvisations that made a realystic context to music. The psichedelic bass word that Hopper likes very much, it's accompanied with guitar and sax jazz context and result in a quite unique music dimension and made a extraordinary work. A very good drum's work and in some parts a keiboard improvisations made some different music worlds in same album. It's a great album for those that like Jazz Rock Fusion but it's not in Soft Machine vein but it's some new stuff for fusion listeners. Highly recomended and i give 4 stars

Nice album of this Englisn band. A sound of seventies in a instrumental work with quality and not comercial music. We can found some space and psichedelic parts but most of this album is a shinphonic with some fusion parts. Only instrumental, with very good players, some good improvisations in guitar but keiboards are the pricipal music instrument. Good bass and drums work. We can find some differents tracks with different music contexts and give a unusual music treatment in this work. Good sound of seventies decade. A band that most of people don't now but a good band that deserve one listen by the progressive lovers. I like this album with a fresh sound and i give 4 stars

Second album of very competent UK jazz-rock band. Founder -guitarist Gary Boyle has excellent guitar playing technique, and the only criticism there could come from him openly imitating McLaughlin guitar sound . But he does it with great musicianship level.

First Isotope album with ex-Soft Machine Hugh Hopper on bass, great improvement as well. Even if Isotope's sound never was Canterbury-like , Hopper added some psychedelic-rock scent to album's music.

Total sound is atmospheric, almost minimalistic in arrangements, but very complex and professional. Keyboardist is influenced by Chick Corea for sure. Possibly, album's music is a bit lightweight comparing with Canterbury scene, but they recorded there one of the greatest UK jazz fusion album of its time.

Let's jam someone's face with this album full of jam, shall we ? Because that's what you get when listening this one. But hell, by my opinion, 1-2 star is just too harsh, because my rating system is constructed little bit differently. This is music, which you can easily listen. Yeah, it's nothing special, wonderful and amazing, but it's nothing unpleasant and ugly. I mean, I rate under 3 only music which I don't like and I can't say that I hate this one. I just can't don't see a message in here.

Jam sessions are good thing, but releasing it as full time album, well, that's brave. Because in this case, album like this will be evaluated in same way as other 40 minutes jazz works of these times. The best thing to do here is maybe don't expect too much. Just enjoy nice jamming session, rate it lower, because this is not as good as other thing deserving better rating and, it's over. Big, empty passages were never my favourite in songs, I like full music. But from time to time, things like these can be good.

3(-) for jamming session, which is good thing, but not so proggy.

ISOTOPE were another major name of the UK jazz-rock scene,led by guitarist Gary Boyle.Some say they were formed in 1972,others in 1973...one thing is for sure,ISOTOPE debuted with their eponymous first album in 1974,an album full of endless jamming and energy,but with a sound closer to jazz and rock than prog.Important changes to the band's line-up were rapid as original members Jeff Clyne and Brian Miller (who was also a main composer of the band)left to be replaced by Lawrence Scott on keys and superb bassist Hugh Cooper (ex-Soft Machine).This drastic changes had the same drastic impact on the band's sound,as it can be heard on the sophomore release ''Illusion'' from the same year.

The frenetic jams gave their place to a very elabarated,well-arranged and executed jazz/fusion progressive rock,characterized by the fantastic guitar work of Boyle,greatly inspired by JOHN MCLAUGHLIN and featuring some magnificent solos,changing climates and even some ethnic orientations.Hugh Cooper is there to fill the sound with his awesome bass lines,which contain a very psychedelic feeling and Lawrence Scoote proofs to be a very distinctive yet talented keyboardist with a number of excellent electric piano parts,not unlike what is heard by Chick Corea on RETURN TO FOREVER's albums.All compostions sound intense,rich,complicated and even melodic to my ears,covering a wide range of tempos and atmospheres...Another nice jazz-oriented release of the 70's,which undoubtfully deserves some of your time.

This is a real treat for ISOTOPE fans out there as we get almost 70 minutes of previously unrealsed live material from their most popular era. Some great information in the liner notes as well about this period in their careers, as we get three of the band members giving their thoughts and memories of that time.This lineup included the great Gary Boyle on lead guitar, the legendary Hugh Hopper on bass, Nigel Morris on drums and Laurence Scott on keyboards.The first 6 tracks are taken from a live performance in Germany in May of 1975. The next 2 songs were recorded live in N.Y. U.S.A. in late March or early April 1975. The last 5 tracks were recorded in London, U.K. in July of 1974.

The band acknowledges that this was such a great time for them in their musical careeres.The label "Gull Records" had in fact given the band members a weekly wage so they were reasonably well payed.They played often 5 times a week plus they did a tour of the U.S.A. and a couple of tours through Europe. In Europe they opened for bands like GONG, MAGMA, PFM and others. In the U.S.A. they were supported by "Motown Records" of all labels. At that time "Motown" was signing what they called "Alternative" bands, sort of branching out beyond what they were known for. An interesting story is that the official photographer of THE JACKSON FIVE told David Howells who was the manager at Gull Records, that Michael Jackson had an ISOTOPE record. When he was asked about it Michael said he liked it because it sounded different from U.S. Fusion. What !!! Anyway on their U.S. tour they opened for AVERAGE WHITE BAND, HUMBLE PIE and THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND (where they saw Johnny Winter hanging out with them). They opened for other bands as well, and got to sit in on a couple of MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA rehearsals, which was a thrill for them. By the way Gary Boyle apparently was a huge fan of WEATHER REPORT, while Nigel Morris was more into MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA. Of course they were fans of both bands anyway, but that was their preferences back then. One of the last gigs they did they opened for JUDAS PRIEST. Nigel remembers that concert mainly for the non-reaction the band got. Big surprise.

As for the music itself it's excellent. One minor complaint is that there are three songs "Illusion", "Spanish Sun" and "Attila" that are on this recording twice. I'm not sure if that was necessary considering how long it is with them on it. This is a joy to listen to though with Hopper's outfront bass playing including some fuzz, and man Boyle is all over this album.The drumming and keys are outstanding as well. If I had to pick a favourite track it would be the title track, Hopper's "Golden Section".

By all means an excellent addition to any prog head's collection.

This is some of the best Jazz these ears have ever heard. I'm still shocked at how amazing this album is, as it seems to be one of those records that was made specifically for my tastes. I have to thank tszirmay who's constant praise of this album finally made me go out and get it. This is one of those recordings where I can't even point out one or two people as being the stars because all four of these guys impress me to no end.

"Illusion" features these intricate sounding drum patterns with lots of fuzz from Hopper in support. Nice. Guitar from Boyle before 3 minutes and a great sound follows. So much going on here, it's fantastic ! "Rangoon Creeper" has this catchy rhythm as Hopper's fuzzed out deep bass lines keep it from sounding anything close to being labeled commercial.The fuzz stops 3 minutes in and now I can hear the others. Haha.The intricate guitar melodies are outstanding. "Spanish Sun" is the longest track at almost 8 minutes. A Spanish atmosphere to this one for the first 3 minutes. Liquid keys 4 1/2 minutes in as the tempo picks up. Nice bass and drum work here as the guitar lays down some fire. "Edorian" is a Hopper composition and is very fuzzy and uptempo. "Frog" is such a great track with the fiery guitar and the fuzzed out bass lines. The keyboard work shines and the drumming is killer. This song was originally the first track on the second side of the LP.

"Sliding Dogs / Lion Sandwich" is darker to begin with. Nice. The tempo picks up after 2 minutes. The keys sound incredible,the guitar too. Ok they all do. What a song ! "Golden Section" sounds so good for the first 1 1/2 minutes and then it gets better. Haha. "Marin Country Girl" opens with intricate guitar and piano, but then it gets darker and more to my liking. Very cool. "Lily Kong" builds until they're cooking 1 1/2 minutes in. "Temper Tantrum" opens with a bass / keys combo that comes and goes until guitar and drums join in. The guitar starts to lead the way 1 1/2 minutes in and then Boyle hits us with a blistering attack a minute later. Incredible.

Without a doubt this will join my other Jazz favourites on that special place on the shelf.