Customer Reviews

Mainstream

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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

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.

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.

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

This is one of the best "underground" albums of the 1970s. Basically, Quiet Sun is what was then Roxy Music, minus Brian Ferry and plus some fantastic jazz players.'

That "Underground" is in qoutes because it is a quick way to describe this album. The music is too quirky to be consideredr straight fussion, but has excellent jazz qualities. The guitar work is excellent, as is the bass playing.

And the strange little noises, voices, and oddies Eno inserts make Mainstreem truely eccentric.

All the chops of a fussion record, riffs that just slam you, and a funkiness you can't rival. Its all self contained, but never hommoginized

Essential.

WOW! Some of the heavier parts of this Quiet Sun album remind me of Captain Beyond. Of course the prog rock influence of a band like Soft Machine is pretty obvious as well. It doesn't sound like Roxy Music or Brian Eno, that's for sure! A MUST own for all hard rock and progressive rock fans!