QUASAR

The second obscurity from this avant-trio down under, "Man Coda" is very much a return to form from their debut, "Nebular Trajectory". Once again an all instrumental affair, this second album sees four extended jazz compositions that veer into chaotic avant-garde territories. The music is once again very improvisatory, with a meek bass and drums rhythm section and distorted guitar from Len Henderson leading the course. The results of this expedition are less fruitful than on "Nebular Trajectory"; the opening and closing tracks tend to devolve into very sparse noodling and the overall focus of the album seems less inspired. While "Force Funk" produced a riveting opening on the debut, the only energetic playing to be found on "Man Coda" is the second track, "Zeitgeist", with its more active percussion and heavy Robert Fripp-like riffing. "The Little Prince" is also a nice tune, offering a more mellow, laid back feel that hasn't been very present in Quasar's generally eerie sound.

This one, along with the debut, is a 2-star release for me, since it has a very limited appeal; there really is much stronger avant-garde jazz out there to appreciate. In fact, I'd probably recommend "Nebular Trajectory" over this one, since it has a more varied soundscape. Nothing that you're really missing out on.

Another oddball release.

Quasar's debut album, "Nebular Trajectory" is an instrumental avant-garde jazz album played by a drum, bass, guitar trio. The music is generally chaotic, not unlike King Crimson's "Larks Tongues In Aspic", though if I were to liken Quasar's sound to any other band's, I might first go for the Crimson-esque Canterbury fusion group Quiet Sun, a similarity that can especially be heard on the opener, "Force Funk". I like to think of this album as a jazz equivalent of Swiss eclectic prog band Island's "Pictures". Very complex, head-spinning music that leaves you feeling sort of sick the first time you hear it, but can be rewarding if you're devoted enough to getting into it. Unlike "Pictures", however, Quasar is far looser in structure, not quite as memorable and ultimately doesn't offer quite the reward as you grow on it. Having said that, "Nebular Trajectory" is still the stronger of Quasar's two releases. There is some interest to be aroused in the sparseness of the cosmic soundscapes and the occasional, unconventional bursts of explosive energy.

Certainly not an album for the prog layman, "Nebular Trajectory" is the sort of material that will probably only appeal to the most devoted fans of avant-garde music and unconventional jazz fusion. Listen with caution.

A very unique band to present,QUASAR was an Australian trio recording and performing from mid-70's to early-80's.Information are hard to come but to my knowledge they were formed in 1974 in Brisbane and featured a keyboard and trumpet player in their early years along with the standard bass/guitar/drums instrumentation.Sometime after their formation they moved to Melborne for about a year,before returning in Brisbane now as a trio with brothers Trevor and Barry Tiplady on drums and bass respectively and Len Henderson on guitars.

''Nebular trajectory'' came out in 1979 on ACR Records in a small amount of 500 copies and this was a very hard listening for the time.Actually it still remains one of the most complex stuff I've ever heard.A totally instrumental complicated release,offering trippy jazz/prog with ultra-complex guitar work and a freaky rhythm section.While I am often reminded of KING CRIMSON listening to this album,this is even more experimental music to my ears using KING CRIMSON's influence only as a guide.Henderson is the man here,delivering obscure soloing and heavy parts with his guitar with Trevor Tiplady being a monster behing the drum kit,often having his solo moments.His brother Barry plays the bass in a more varied style,flirting here and there even with funk.A few keyboard effects can also be heard at the starting moments on a couple of tracks.Compositions sound sometimes too abstract,but the overall performance is very professional and could be a nice example for the trully technical side of prog.

For anyone who wants to explore what trully experimental prog means,I recommend this album warmly.For the non-mystified,prepare for an unmet painful experience...2.5 stars.