ALLEYCAT

Nucleus must have been one of the most productive jazz-rock units of the 70s, we're looking at album 10 in 7 years here and unfortunately it shows. The furtile interaction of jazz talent as we had known it in their early years is gone entirely, replaced by a one-man routine job though funky easy listening jazz-rock.

That doesn't mean it's bad, it just seems so predictable and it lacks some really memorable tunes and melodies that earlier Nucleus always had plenty off. Even a longer compositions like 'Alley Cat' rarely go beyond run-of-the-mill jazz-funk. On the plus side, Nucleus didn't fall for the more commercial smooth sound that prevailed in fusion in the second half of the 70's. It may be much more polished then their first two albums but it still sounds organic and natural. Synths are avoided and the drums aren't over-processed. 'Splat' is my favorite track here due to the psychedelic Rhodes playing and the successful groove they develop in the second half. The bluesy 'You can't be sure' is the only track on this album where they dare to leave the beaten funk-fusion track.

Enjoyable late 70's fusion but too safe and routine to hit me. 2.5 stars.