Skip to content
Elly Roberts reviews
Virgin Records 
Fish Rising (1975): 
L (1976):
Motivation Radio (1977):
Rainbow Dome Musick (1979):
- January 2007
Ratings:
- Fish Rising (1975): 6/10
- L (1976): 10/10+
- Motivation Radio (1977): 8/10
- Rainbow Dome Musick (1979): 2/10
Welcome to the wired and wonderful world of prog-rocker Steve Hillage.
All re-issues feature re-mastered music and include a number of bonus tracksfrom his impressive tape archive. This collection shows that Hillage was asprolific a solo artist as he was as a member of cult European post-hippierockers Gong.Here Hillage continues his penchant mix of unpredictable rock, jazz andsynthesisers.
Hillage branched out to record music, mostly instrumental, during the acidgeneration, with L cementing his reputation as a leading light of the genre.By definition, it was mostly experimental, though they were strong enough toenter these albums in the Top 100, with L peaking at 10 in 1976.
Track 1 CD 1, Solar Musick Suite, in four parts, is symptomatic of hisno musical barriers ethos with splashes of lengthy rock and jazz guitarsolos, and few lyrics, possessing certain elements of Yes repertoire. Thishighlights Hillages mastery and versatility as an outstanding musician.In total contrast, Mediatation Of The Snake, is a sublime and spaceypiece of mysticism, whereas The Salomon song features bluesy picks.
Hillage shows his classy technique throughout this wispful and expansive piece.Over 13 minutes of closer Aftaglid (bonus track) he exposes his acousticcredentials.
L, his best selling album, is a mix of collaborations and covers,including Donovans Hurdy Gurdy Man, George Harrisons Its AllToo Much and The Byrds 8 Miles High. Donovans chart hit is lesseffective here, losing its folkie substance, though the treatment isinteresting – blasting guitar solos turn it on its head.
Highlight of the album is the more accessible Electrick Gypsies, apulsating jaunt of wailing guitars and rasping solos, which again, show hisdigital dexterity. Eastern flavoured Om Nama Shivaya is the jewel inthe crown. Back in more experimental mode, Lunar Musick Suite, adrifting soundtrack sequence covering nearly 12 minutes, Hillage throws insome jarring trumpet blows and large dollops of wiry solos to the synthbackdrop.
Eight Miles High, is Hillage at his most commercial ever, and almost,stays faithful to the original, except its in purely instrumental form.
It true, Prog-Rock manner, hes moved on again with Motivation Radio.With an acoustic flourish he opens with Hello Dawn, a bouncy andpleasant enough a start. Steady riffs make up the bulk of Light In The Skywith the bonus of intermittent wiry solos and peculiar vocals by MiquetteGiraudy. Searching For The Spark is the kind of rolling synth-thingPink Floyd would have tackled back in 1977.
Two years later, Rainbow Dome Musick is another Floyd like experiment(Echoes) two tracks Garden Of Paradise (2215) and Four EverRainbow (2030). Both are effectively dreamy synth soundscapes includingwaterfall FX, neither of which are exactly inspiring.
All albums, whether you like the stylings or not, are a fascinating sonicexperiences.
Weblink:emicatalogue.com
Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.