Spectrum
Breathing Space
Volcano/ Aztec


Best known for the ubiquitous I'll Be Gone and their prog-rock opuses of the early 70s - including the recently reissued 'Milesago' album - Spectrum reformed a few years ago, often playing in a trimmed down, more acoustic fashion and with the descriptive title "Plays The Blues" added to their name. While still good, the current line-up often performs sans keyboards, a major part of their original sound.

This recording however (the first of four planned EPs) is being billed as the first new Spectrum recording per se since 1973, which one could only assume heralds a return to the prog rock and spacey lyrics of old. This assumption is only partly correct, however. The six tracks have many Spectrum hallmarks, but in struggling slightly to find the main point of difference, I'd say the overall sound is smoother and perhaps more mature these days.

Mike Rudd's distinctive voice and great guitar work, along with Bill Putt's smooth bass playing, still remains a focal point (both members wrote or co-wrote all songs here); long-time drummer Peter "Robbo" Robertson is predictably creative and keyboardist Daryl Roberts adds greatly to the sound, so this band certainly deserves to claim the Spectrum name. However, the enigmatic lyrics and sweeping Hammond sounds are not quite so apparent, replaced by amusing-enough double entendre and often straight piano.

There are still similarities between the old and new Spectrum - the extended instrumental passages are evident on tracks such as the opener 'Second Coming', and the charming tune and smart lyrics of 'Star Crazy' are unlikely to disappoint. Likewise, the instrumental 'Little By Little' is a melodic piece that sits comfortably in the band's canon. Guests include ex-Ariel compatriot Tim Gaze on the aptly-titled I Play My Guitar.

Michael Hunter