JAZZ ROCK (AKA VOLKOR)

3.5 stars. This is one of those albums I want to give 4 stars to just for the lineup alone but my tastes and conscience won't let me. We get former WEIDORJE members Kirt Rust(drums) & Patrick Gauthier(moog) along with Didier Lockwood(violin) who played with MAGMA along with Gauthier of course. Didier's brother Frances plays piano and Bunny Brunel is on bass. The music here is not Zeuhl in the slightest but is just as the album's title says "Jazz Rock". While I like the violin as more as a different shade you could say to the music it is quite dominant here and that's my issue. Especially when Didier is playing slowly over top of the music. The piano and drums really don't standout that much to me but the bass is quite impressive along with the synths. This was released in 1976 by the way.

"To-Morrow" is the 2 1/2 minute opener and that chunky bass is impressive before the violin and synths trade off over top. "Astral Trip" opens with electric piano, bass, drums and shakers as the violin comes in. A relaxed piece but the tempo does pick up around 1 1/2 minutes. Some nice drum work here then the e-piano leads after 2 1/2 minutes as the violin steps aside. The bass leads a minute later as the electric piano stops. It's pretty much bass and drums here with moog. The electric piano is back after 4 1/2 minutes though as it settles then violin.

"Elbow" has a bass intro as the drums and percussion join in, moog too. Violin after a minute. Gotta love that bass as the violin solos slowly over top after 2 minutes. Electric piano joins in as well half way through. "What's The Matter" is a short relaxing piece but the moog gives it an experimental sound.

"Volkor" is jazzy with bass, drums along with violin and moog. The violin starts to solo slowly over top. I like the synths when they take over as the violin stops around 2 minutes in. Prominent bass then moog kick back in. The violin is back around 4 1/2 minutes soloing slowly over top. Electric piano later. "Yellow Faces" is mainly bass and drums before the violin comes in.

"Green" has throbbing bass lines with drums as the violin comes in over top. Moog to the fore after 2 minutes as the violin steps aside but it's back before 3 minutes. "Naita" opens with electric piano for about a minute before the violin takes over. The e-piano is back in this laid back closer. It does pick up after 3 1/2 minutes but not for long.

Just not enough variety and too much violin I suppose. A good album regardless.