'thefanclub'

Rip It Up, Issue 11, 1 May 1978, Page 17

'thefanclub'

Expresso II is late night meditation. If you enjoyed Michael Oldfield's Tubular Bells this is your sort of music. The soothing experiments involve a wide range of instruments including vibes, congas, violins, tubular bells and even a glockenspiel. At times it becomes bland and drifts too much into supermarket background noise. One track is even called “Boring.” At its best it is pleasantly refreshing soft unobtrusive jazz, at the end of a hard day. The Best of Isotope is an easily accessible and interesting compilation of musical experimentation from a group formed by India-born Gary Boyle, ex Julie DriscollBrian Augur Trinity. Isotope’s works are often described as

jazz-rock one of those horribly meaningless tags often put on groups which can't make up their mind where they want to head. Whereas Tangerine Dream has at times mixed starkness with emotion and made it work, both Gong and Isotope seek a simple rhythmic pulse which often fails to jump out and involve the listener. Trying to add some art and colour to hackneyed rock chord changes is not enough. At times Isotope do not appear to understand where their ideas are heading but this best of compilation provides an interesting variety of their attempts to achieve credible results in this difficult sphere. Nigel Horrocks