Quiet Sun – “Mainstream”

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!