Record Reviews

STEVE HILLAGE ~ FOR TO NEXT / AND NOT OR (EXPANDED EDITION) VIRGIN 373463 (Barcode: 094637346327) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1982 Released: 2007 8th album by Steve HillageFind albums by this artist and the last one released on the VirginFind albums on this label label. Following the release of OpenFind albums with this title and a few concerts in late 1979 Hillage disbanded this band for good this time and plunged into the world of producing, putting his own music aside for a while. It was almost 3 years later when he fulfilled his contractual obligation with Virgin, recording the last album for them. The album called For To NextFind albums with this title was recorded as a duo, with Miquette GiraudyFind albums by this artist as the only other participating musician. Strongly influenced by the “New Wave” genre Steve was involved with as a producer (Robyn HitchcockFind albums by this artist, Simple MindsFind albums by this artist and others) the album was a prime example of the genre. Dominated by synthesizers and electronic sounds with Hillage’s guitar ornamenting the proceedings. The music stands the test of time formidably and although the album is not considered a classic of the genre, it definitely deserves it. The album was released as a 2 LPs set, with the second album including instrumental music recorded at the same sessions (called And Or NotFind albums with this title). It included music that was more typical of what Hillage and Giraudy were really into and what would be later developed by their work with The OrbFind albums by this artist and with their group System 7Find albums by this artist, which is active to this very day. The album is a great document of the era and even if the 80’s electronic sound is not one’s cup of tea, the quality and musicianship displayed here is definitely worth listening to.

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

STEVE HILLAGE ~ RAINBOW DOME MUSICK (EXPANDED EDITION) VIRGIN 373458 (Barcode: 094637345825) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1979 Released: 2007 6th album by Steve HillageFind albums by this artist, which was really an off-shot project from his “normal” sequence of solo albums, as it was recorded to serve as background music for a special event staged in London in April of 1979 – the “Mind And Body Festival”. As part of the festival’s preparations a special dome was erected, called the Rainbow Dome, as it presented the visitor / spectator with special light effects. The festival’s organizers contacted Hillage with their plans and he immediately agreed to write the music, which would be played continuously in the Rainbow Dome. Hillage and his partner Miquette GiraudyFind albums by this artist quickly assembled an ambient soundtrack for the project and the music was released to coincide with the festival’s opening. The music is a beautiful example of early ambient composition, executed with deep sensibility and grace. It was to be an extremely influential piece of music, which would be often cited by members of the young generation of composers of ambient music some two decades later as one of their main influences. Hillage and Giraudy themselves changed their main musical activity to ambient and electronic music in the later days of their career, still being active today as System 7Find albums by this artist. A classic!

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend