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Midnight Sun / ex Rainbow Band - Midnight Sun CD (album) cover

MIDNIGHT SUN

Midnight Sun / ex Rainbow Band

 

Jazz Rock/Fusion

3.59 | 39 ratings

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Mellotron Storm
Prog Reviewer
3 stars MIDNIGHT SUN formerly called RAINBOW BAND released this album in 1971, a re-recording of their debut with a different singer. This band was from Denmark and the music is very much Jazz/ Rock with some outstanding guitar and bass but the singer's voice for me is a required taste. Soulful is the word with his vocals making this sound often like a commercial record and indeed some of these songs are too poppy for lack of a better word. I think I was reaching for the "eject" button during that second track called "King Of The Sun". Well after many spins I have gotten kind of comfortable with his voice but there's too much on here that turns me off to give anything more than 3 stars.

"Talkin" is jazzy with bass, drums and piano but then sax and vocals join in. Not my thing really but the electric piano impresses, especially after 1 1/2 minutes. Contrasts continue between the instrumental and vocal passages. "King Of The Sun" is about as lame as it gets in my opinion. Love the bass but I'm feeling sick.

"Nobody" is the first song that I like. Piano is featured early on and throughout to be honest. Vocals just before a minute. Gotta love that extended instrumental section. "Where You Going To Be" is a catchy and commercial sounding tune that almost rivals "King Of The Sun" for being the worst song on here. "B.M." is more like it with the drums, strummed guitar and killer bass. Vocals arrive late but are distant sounding.

"Sippin' Wine" is so not my thing. Then neither is this song. Commercial sounding drivel but I do like that sax solo. "Living On The Hill" is an incredible 15 minute piece of music that right from the start doesn't sound like the rest. What could have been? This is why I'm giving 3 stars. Bass, guitar and drums to start. Piano and sax join in then vocals before 1 1/2 minutes. I love when the flute arrive around 4 minutes and I wish there was more of it on this album. The highlight though is the guitar starting after 5 1/2 minutes and going non stop until around 13 minutes and man what a show he puts on. "Rainbow Song" ends it in a mellow way with atmosphere and flute. Strummed guitar and bass help out as well.

This did grow on me but it's just not my kind of music despite being impressed with the instrumental work. The Roger Dean cover art is a little misleading too.

Mellotron Storm | 3/5 |

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