SOLUTION

Solution's second outing "Divergence" sees the band replacing the eclectic, innovative excursions on their debut with a smoother variety of jazz rock. Competent and accomplished musicians add a number of refined, subtle details to the proceedings to elevate it above the plain and ordinary, and occasionally the band showcases an inclination towards a more experimental expression. But by and large this disc appears to have the jazz rock crowd as its key audience, and in particular the section of it that doesn't mind an occasional flirt with mainstream oriented music.

As far as debut albums go, "Solution" is a very interesting one. Innovative, adventurous and broad in musical scope, I'm slightly mystified as to why this album isn't high on the list of classic albums progressive rock fans should sample. The very eclectic nature of this disc will not be to everybody's taste admittedly, but for those with a broad range in musical tastes and a keen interest in early 70's progressive rock Solution's debut warrants a keen inspection.

Then...a wonderful surprise with the title track `Divergence' which will need no introduction for fans of Focus's landmark `Eruption' suite. Focus liked the piece so much when sharing stages with Solution that they rechristened it `Tommy' after Tom Barlage and recorded their own version. This version uses Sax as its lead instrument and is a wonderful example of the cross fertilization that seemed to be so much a part of the music scene in the golden age.

`Fever' uses a Herbie Mann flute theme as the basis for some breezy improvisation with a sunny disposition, whilst the next piece `Concentration' sees the return of Willems' very capable vocals alongside some dreamy saxophone and mid paced grooving from the band. It seems that Soft Machine's `Third' was required listening for many musicians of the era, and the latter half of the track explodes into a homage to one of the famous 7/4 riffs from that album.

`Theme' sees the soul influences rise to the surface of the melting pot and is never less than pleasing, although it makes for a somewhat anti-climactic finish to the album. On the whole this collection is slightly less impressive than the debut, but nevertheless makes an excellent companion to it. (Three and a half stars)

It's fully 14 minutes into the album before Peter Van Der Sande's somewhat superfluous vocals make their first and only showing. His voice is not unappealing, but the focus and strength here is mainly instrumental, and the first four pieces flow beautifully into each other for the first 30 minutes of the album.

This mood is rudely interrupted with the intro to epic closer `Circus Circumstances' which is a kind of jokey Focus type Dutch leap-around, which then rather surprisingly uses a direct quote of The Nice's `For Example' as a jumping off point for more bright and appealing jazz influenced prog.

"Second Line" reminds me of Lionel Ritchie's "Easy Like Sunday Morning" for some reason. The vocals and piano i'm thinking. Now they had changed labels prior to this release so maybe a poppy tune was encouraged by EMI. Anyway this really is like getting off on the wrong foot. Piano and a beat leads early then the vocals join in. We get a relaxed sax solo before 3 minutes that lasts for a minute. "Divergence" has some nasty organ and drums to start then smooth sax takes over with bass and a beat. The organ is back as contrasts continue. Some dissonant sax late. "Fever" is much better with those sparse sounds early then flute before 2 1/2 minutes before it kicks in after 3 minutes. Good tune.

"Concentration" has a nice intro then it settles with a beat, sax and organ. Prominant bass 2 1/2 minutes in followed by vocals. This is kind of bluesy. The sax replaces the vocals 4 1/2 minutes in then the vocals return. They stop again as the tempo picks up. Great section from 6 1/2 minutes to the end. Excellent track. "Theme" is a short flute piece. "New Dimension" has a beat, piano and vocals. Sax comes and goes. It's okay.

A little inconsistant for my tastes but I know many who are big fans of this one. Thanks Doug !

"Koan" is uptempo as it hits the ground running. It does settle a minute in to a groovy sound with sax playing over top. It kicks back in as contrasts continue. Flute 2 1/2 minutes in along with a calm. Love the distorted organ reminding me of Canterbury. This is so good. Flute is back after 6 minutes. "Preview" is a short piece with piano melodies throughout. "Phases" opens with floating organ and atmosphere. Drums and more as it builds 3 1/2 minutes in, then it kicks in at 5 1/2 minutes. Vocals too and this is the only track with singing on it. Great sound after 7 minutes when the vocals stop and the sax becomes prominant. Vocals are back 8 minutes in. Such a cool sound 9 1/2 minutes in with those dark piano lines and sax. Vocals again after 11 minutes then it ends with atmosphere.

"Trane Stops" opens with organ as the drums and sax join in. Back to organ only as themes are repeated. I like the drumwork on this one. The guy can play. An interesting drum / organ section before 6 1/2 minutes then the sax joins in. Nice. Some jazzy bass here as well. "Circus Circumstances" kicks in quickly. This is insane as the sax hits us with short, quick blasts over and over. Yes the circus does come to mind until the sax stops and it turns heavier before 1 1/2 minutes. Great sound here. It then settles back before picking up as the tempo continues to shift. A calm with piano, drums and sax leading 5 minutes in then it kicks in one more time.

There's a great picture of the guys on the back cover of this release. This is another gem found, and one i'll enjoy for years to come. A solid 4 stars.

Forth album of this discret jazz fusion band from Holland is my fav one from them, no matter what others said, that this is comercial jazz fusion with progressive rock leanings, to me remains their most inventive one. Released in 1977 named Fully interlocking , graced by a great cover art, Solution with this album change a bit tdirection of the previous album. This one is more mainstream jazz fusion with lighter aproach and is the most instrumental album from their catalogue, maybe together with their first one. Here from 6 pieces 4 are instrumental , the first and last tracks are with voice. I really like what I've heared here, even is light in content, are some very fine keybords, smooth and well performed, aswell some intriguing guitar chops are present, the album is well balanced and give a great atmosphere overall. The progressive elements are well interluded with jazz fusion ones, giving to me at least a pleasent listning from start to finish. From dreamy keybords to more upbeat ths album is a winner in my book. Carrousel is a perfect example. 3 solid stars rounded up to 3.5 .

Solution from Holland was one of the enjoyble bands from early to late'70's from progressive jazz fusion realm. Haveing a moderate succes in this field specialy for their third album Cordon bleu from 1975 with each album rlease after they become more an more mainstream jazz fusion, ligher and almost gone towards comercial side. Anyway this third album issued at Elton John's label Rocket records in 1975 keeps the flag high in jazz fusion world, being one of the pleasent surprises coming from Holland in that period. The album alternates from long instrumental pieces like Chappaqua and Whirligig with short pieces those being with voice. The musicianship is great, the thing that I'm not agree that this is their best album is that the song writting is to usual, I mean I can hear this kind of arrangements on many jazz fusion bands from that period, but in the end the album is not bad at all only common to my ears. So, a pleasent album, nothing really spectacular, well played and with some nice instrumental passages.