Mainstream [Import]

Quiet Sun | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 6, 1997)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Resurgence UK
• ASIN: B000003RT8
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #441,231 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Working with Brian Eno, Manzanera returns to the prog-rock of Roxy Music's early 70s albums on "Quiet Sun Mainstream". Expression. 2004.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perhaps the peak fusion of progressive music ideas, March 5, 2002

By 

Gary Gomes (New Bedford, Massachusetts) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mainstream (Audio CD)

Quiet Sun was Phil Manzanera's pre-Roxy Music endeavor. (Few people realize that he was originally Roxy Music's sound person. He joined Roxy Music when their original guitarist--David O'List, formerly of the Nice--was not working out.). Quiet Sun came perilously close to gaining their own record contract in 1971, but their complexity and radical style did not gel with the appetites of the record execs they auditioned for. They broke up in 1972, and when Manzanera had money and studio time, they reformed. Roughly speaking, this CD is a blend of Tony Williams' Lifetime, Soft Machine (Manzanera's main influence was Soft Machine organist Mike Ratledge), and perhaps 1973-1974 King Crimson (with some instrumental Velvets thrown in). It is a shame that the album was a one-shot deal--they apparently have other material from the sessions--as the playing and intensity are awe-inspiring. You'll never look at Phil Manzanera the same way again; I guarantee it. Of all of the musicians on this CD, only Charles Hayward has continued in a progressive artistic bent (through This Heat, Camberwell Now, solo efforts, and recently Massacre--an amazing player.) If you like aggressive, thoughtful, impressive playing (think a rockier Soft Machine with comparable instrumental chops) you'll love this! Get it!

Gary Gomes

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars White hot fusionesque rock!, October 14, 2005

By 

Paul Minot (Waterville, ME United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mainstream (Audio CD)

The Soft Machine influence is obvious, but in execution Quiet Sun created something completely different. Phil Manzanera simply sears on guitar here, leading a Canterbury-style jazz-rock band with all the edge of "Red"-era King Crimson, AND the Latin passion of Santana. The production and mastering on this disc are amazingly hot, the compositions interesting and diverse, and the performance is brimming with spontaneity and band chemistry.

As a fan of the edgier sorts of progrock, this CD qualifies as one of my prize possessions. A magical album, too bad they didn't do another--but it's doubtful they could have topped THIS sizzling slab of raw beauty.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Progressive Rock at its finest!, April 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Mainstream (Audio CD)

Phil Manzanera's spin-off project from Roxy Music is almost entirely instrumental and features Phil's sonic guitar onslaught in a way never heard with any other group. It also features Brian Eno with most of what would become 801. A must have for Manzanera fans and prog rock afficianados.