6-17-13 Quiet Sun – “Mainstream”
6/16/84 Nik Kershaw “I Won’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me” 45 re-charts at No. 2 in England. 6/14/80 Yellow Magic Orchestra “Computer Game” 45 charts at No. 17 in England. On 6/17/72 the double LP “Exile On Main Street” by The Rolling Stones charts at No. 1 in the US. On 6/17/67 the Young Rascals 45 “Groovin’” charts at No. 8 in England.
Like most Roxy Music fans, I, too, puzzled at the arrival of the Quiet Sun LP. Was Phil Manzanera leaving Roxy Music? This record was unashamed progressive rock – a bit ‘out of place’ in 1975. Great cover, too!
It was difficult to find an Island UK LP of this release, as a lower cost US version was busily being flogged, by the Island Records US “Antilles” label. At some point, I opted for a Japanese LP of it, probably a re-issue.
Phil Manzanera’s label, Expression Records, recently did a new 2LP re-issue of this wonderful album, adding some of their demo tracks! Yes, it’s also a re-mastered UK CD in a book-looking package – that will cost a few bob. I found the 2LP version a short while ago, and have enjoyed playing it, listening to it once again.
Of particular interest are the demo tracks: “Years of the Quiet Sun” (cover says “Original demo”), “Trot” (“Original demo”), “R.F.D.” (Warner Brothers demo) and “R.F.D. Part 1” (an out-take from the “Mainstream” sessions. These are the tracks I am listening to as I type this. Wow, great mellotron on the “Trot” demo!
So, this album was recorded during the sessions for Phil’s first solo album “Diamond Head”, while he remained a member of Roxy Music. It’s all sort of a “million miles” from Roxy Music, ain’t it? An instrumental album, progressive rock – as previously stated.
Seems to me in 2013 that this album isn’t far off from, say, Gilgamesh or National Health – distinctly “Canterbury” in feeling, presentation etc. This record will appeal to fans of The Soft Machine! No Bryan Ferry here!
Ronkanefiles's Blog 
Indeed a wonderful album: jazz, fusion, progressive influences stirred together with great playing. The next year Phil Manzanera and Bill McCormack and Eno recruited Francis Monkman and others for the short-lived but terrific 801 (also related to a Manzanera album!). The ‘801 Live’ album was reviewed in my blog post of a week ago, “Live in your Living Room – Second Set”. I think I prefer the live version of ‘Rongwrong’. Cheers!