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After a stint with Gong as their trippy, hippy, new agey guitar guru of cosmically and extremely raga-esque trance rock and improv heaven, Steve Hillage went solo. He branched out to carry his own version of the Gong gospel of personal freedom via his special blend of cosmic brotherhood, Eastern religion, new age, pyramids, ley lines, crystals, and some ferocious jazz fusion and progressive rock guitar blended with space rock synths. Hillage reinterprets some well-known tunes by other artists like Donovan and George Harrison here as well as penning some of his more memorable sonic treats. His awesome riffing and speedy solos on his Fender Strat rival those of Hendrix and Frank Marino but go further compositionally via exotic scales from other cultures. Add in Todd Rundgren's engineering and production genius, his Utopians guesting, and several others like Don Cherry on brass and Tibetan trumpet along with a 15th century Hurdy Gurdy and you have a wild romp into eclectic rock. The 12-minute-long "Lunar Musick Suite" is the pinnacle moment of the release and "Om Nama Shivaya" comes in a close second for Hillage's most blissed-out trance rock. Both Gong and Hillage's solo career have brought such superb musical echoes and legends such as veteran space rockers, the Ozric Tentacles. ~ John W. Patterson
Recording information: Secret Sound, Woodstock, NY (05/1976-06/1976).
Unknown Contributor Role: Sonja Malkine.
Personnel: Steve Hillage (vocals, guitar, synthesizer); Miquette Giraudy (vocals); Don Cherry (trumpet); Roger Powell (piano, keyboards); Kasim Sulton (bass); John Wilcox (drums); Larry Karush (tabla).
Personnel: Steve Hillage (vocals, guitar, synthesizer, ARP synthesizer, guitar synthesizer); Miquette Giraudy (vocals, keyboards, background vocals); Don Cherry (trumpet, horns, tambourine, bells); Roger Powell (piano, keyboards, synthesizer, Moog synthesizer); Sonja Malkine (keyboards); John Wilcox, Jon Wilcox, Joe Blocker (drums); Larry Karush (tabla, percussion).
Mojo (Publisher) (p.112) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "L was an infectious, irony-free tribute to his influences with a side order of some serious noodling -- and a bit of jazz -- tossed in."
Hillage attains "Nirvana" with "L" This album, released in 1976, finds Steve Hillage firing on all cylinders. A potent and heady mix of rock, indian and middle eastern influences. Hillage is an excellent guitarist and on "L", he truly shines. If this album has a weak spot, it's the cover of Donovan's "Hurdy Gurdy Man". It's not bad,in fact it's totally servicable. It just doesn't excite. "Hurdy Gurdy Glissando does. Starting slow and spacey with galloping tablas, it continues to pick up speed as it hurtles toward frantic finish. "Electrick Gypsies" is slower and lacks eastern influences. A typically classic fun Steve Hillage. Kind of folky but electric. "Om Nama Shivaya" is very exotic. A traditional indian folk song, Hillage injects swirling, blistering lead guitar as he and long time girlfriend Miquette Giraudy share lead vocal duties. Beautiful and very well done. Next is the album's centerpiece, the massive 12 minute "Lunar Musick Suite" An intense, ominous and heavily middle eastern sounding guitar riff begins hurtling along right from the start. Hillage's guitar work here is nothing short of breathtaking. It eventually slows down to include a bizarre trumpet improv by guest Don Cherry. The tracks final few minutes are sublime. Very spacey and, here's that word again, exotic. Hawkwind fans would love this. The album ends with an great cover of George Harrison's Beatle's tune "It's All Too Much" Great version with a superior guitar solo near the end. I think George would be proud. Much credit must go to producer Todd Rundgren and his band Utopia who played on this album. Too bad they worked together again. This is Steve's best album in my opinion. I don't give 5 stars very often, but this earns it. Submitted by Timothy C. Maddocks (Westbrook, Maine USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 4 of 4 found this helpful.
Great Great...Todd did it again Submitted by dartslngr54 (Brentwood NY USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo This review is for a different format.
Rundgren produces this Wizard (A True Star): Steve Hillage Rungen's weird high-tuned snare, an excellent backing band...showcases Hillage's stellar guitar playing. Chills, I tell ya, on the guitar break and ensuing solo on "It's All Too Much". Hillage does a GREAT cover of "Hurdy Gurdy Man". This guy can play some guitar! Wow! Great lead on the Hurdy Gurdy fadeout! Shades of Hendrix with Ravi Shankar-inspired riffs! I kid you not, this Hillage guy is on a higher plane. It's fusion rock meets North India on acid with Hendrix floating by on a cloud of sweet-smelling smoke...Get into this guy NOW! Submitted by millionrainbows (Austin, Tx, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo This review is for a different format.
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