Gilgamesh Arriving Twice CD

ARRIVING TWICE consists of previously unreleased recordings.
Gilgamesh: Alan Gowen (acoustic & electric pianos, synthesizer); Phil Lee (guitar); Peter Lemer (electric guitar, synthesizer); Neil Murray, Steve Cook, Jeff Clyne (bass); Mike Travis (drums).
Recorded in London, England between 1973 & 1975. Includes liner notes by Aymeric Leroy.
These are previously unreleased Gilgamesh recordings from 1973-1975, with three separate lineups, although keyboardist Alan Gowen, guitarist Phil Lee, and Mike Travis are present on all eight tracks. It's overly cerebral instrumental jazz-rock fusion of the Canterbury school. The keyboards, varied by Gowen between piano, electric piano, and synths, are very prominent, as are rapidly ascending guitar solos of mathematical precision. The similarities to National Health -- which several of Gilgamesh's members would play with as well -- are apparent, as are similarities to the late recordings by Soft Machine. Sometimes these (usually long) pieces are broken up by more reflective soft interludes, but generally it's lacking in melody and devoid of warm emotion, overcompensated for by the technically impressive chops of the players. The liner notes feature an extensive history of the careers of the band and Gowen. ~ Richie UnterbergerAlternative Press (3/01, pp.80-1) - 3 out of 5 - "...[They] suggest a slightly more serious and jazzy mid-period Soft Machine....it holds up surprisingly well..."
The Wire (1/01, p.68) - "...[They] have that same stultifyingly brainy air that effectively neutered so much Canterbury output....The 1973 demos provide some real fire..."