Pippa Prince

In one sense, pure music. Music for music's sake. It states no case, has no message (other than music). It is unpretentious, no clichés or corn, even 45 years on, not wearing a badge from any camp. From its beginning, tight as they come, no dropped beats, slurs or duff notes and yet it sounds so relaxed, effortless, exuberant. I am awestruck every time I hear the tuned percussion, it's tone and harmony relentless and rhythmically breathtaking. Guitar takes on characteristics of bowed strings, gliding, swooping, scintillating, rasping joyfully. In the bass we have the swoop and growl of solid foundation,, in a vocalise hurrah, with drums skillfully underpinning and flurrying as if a tuned instrument. I think Didier Malherbe handles the departure from Allen's Gong well, giving tuneful if restrained tooting on saxophone. Yes, when it's time to tune in again, I'm never disappointed.