GONG - I See You

Kategorie: CD-Reviews | Genre: Prog, Jazz/Jazzrock/Fusion, Psychedelic/Space Rock | Heft: Jahrgang 2014, eclipsed Nr. 166 / 12-2014 | VÖ-Jahr: 2014 | Wertung: 8/10 | Label: Madfish | Autor: MaB


2014 could have easily become an Annus horribilis for the gong chief strategist Daevid Allen. In March, a cyst was discovered on his neck which was finally diagnosed as a cancerous tumour. As a result, the 76-year-old, who also broke his arm a little later, had to undergo several operations, which meant that he had to forego any concert activities until the end of the year. According to his own statement, he's on the road to recovery. The fact that the Australian-born band doesn't lose courage is certainly also due to the twelfth gong studio album "I See You", with which the band returns five years after "2032". With guitarist Kavus Torabi (Knifeworld) and saxophonist/flutist Ian East, Allen has assembled capable new comrades-in-arms who are driven on drums by his son Orlando. By cleverly spreading the "I See You" theme over the entire album, Allen creates the impression of a coherent work that only frays a little towards the end. Apart from that everything is musically in the green: "I See You" touches the jazz rock/fusion area and "Occupy" can best be described as a "hardcore prog", whereby a merciless guitar riff, wild horn attacks and combative "Occupy" chants merge into a wonderful saxophone solo. The Eternal Wheel Spins is getting more psychedelic. Syllabub" could also have sprung from the creative pool of Frank Zappas. Of course the humor is not neglected ("Pixielation"). And in the radio play "This Revolution", the all-time hippie presents itself with the eloquence of a rapper who locates the revolution not on television or in apps, but in his own head. He's right!

Top track: Occupy

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