BLUE MOTION

Though this Circus' successor (since it features both Grieder and Hauser), don't expect that the two bands sound similar. Circus' unusual line-up (no keyboards or electric guitar) gave them a unique and inimitable sound, but Blue Motion is a double KB and drums instrumental affair. In the present project, wind-player Stefan Grieder drops the horns and concentrates on keys, giving the band a distinctive sound, compared to other KB-led trios. Amongst the KB used, we'll hear a Hammond, a Clavinet, a Rhodes, an ARP and a grand piano. A priori, you'd think that this kind of KB-led trio thingie was a thing of the past by this album's release, but Blue Motion is definitely to be ranked in the UFO category along with Flamen Dialis and a couple other Continental Europe projects of the times.

Basically, this album is centred on two lengthy epics (opening each side), and a flurry of short pieces (9 of them are inferior to 3 minutes), and obviously those two 12-mins (minimum) pieces are the foundations. The 14-mins Stromboli opens on a wild Emersonian Hammond and soon replaced by a piano and Clavinet duo, the whole thing powered by Hauser's always amazing drumming. With plenty of twists and twirls, you'll get dizzy trying to follow Grieder and Amman's constant explorations. An eruption of the volcano certainly is less exciting than this wild extravaganza. The rest of the A-side could be seen as a sometimes-dissonant and disjointed suite with the following Fingers is a calm piano exploration, while Moontales is dominated by the Hammond, but underlined by the Clavinet. Hauser's amazing xylophone (Motions) and Grieder's dissonant piano (Fingers 2) are much reminiscent of Circus' Dawn piece, and both pieces are followed by the title track, which segues into the splendid piano-only 31/8.

The 11-mins Stonehenge opens the flipside, which opens on a calm piano, but the accompanying Hammond and Clavinet are slowly elevating the pace, and Hauser's always entertaining drums and percussions are certainly driving the keyboards overboard. Therest of the album is taken up by variations of Motions and Moontales, though Grieder finds a Parking spot for his piano, before a grandiose end in Slow Motion

Blue Motion's sole album received a Laser's Edge release some 20 years ago, but you can still find another version on the mini-lp specialist Japanese label Belle Antique, though it's probably one of the more botched up reissues of theirs, at least of the cardboard side of things. And the so-called SHM disc was taken directly from LE's remaster, so one can wonder what the added value is for such an expensive rekidd. Despite that, it might be the only solution to lay your hand on this baby; and believe me: it's certainly worth the investigations and investment. While it may not be of the calibre of Circus' first two albums, but it is a worthy offshoot.