Sphincter Ensemble — Harrodian Event #1
The release takes in just one days worth of creative, if some what haphazard improvisation from the Sphincter Ensemble, and it all took place on the 2nd of January 1972 at London’s Harrodian Club. And on that day the ensemble was made up of : Paul Buckmaster( who worked with the likes of David Bowie & Third Ear Band) on Electric cello, John Gustafson(of Quatermass, and later played with the likes of Steve Hackett, Iain Gillan & Roxy Music) on electric bass, Martyn Ford( arrange for Barclay James Harvest) on Electric French Horn, Tony Walmsely on guitar, Trevor Morasis( who later got fame with Quantum Jump, and worked with the likes of Peguin Café Band) on drums/percussion, J. Peter Robinson (Qatermass / Brand X) on Keyboards, and Anode L on keyboards & guitar .
The CD takes in nine tracks in all, and these last between just over the two & a half minute mark, to just shy of the seven & a half minute mark. All the tracks make up a series of un-edited jams, and I’m afraid to say on the whole the release is extremely mixed in quality.
As J.Peter Robinson admits in the releases linear notes 'None of us had ever played together as a ensemble, and none of us had guidelines what to play either’….so as you can imagine this is an extremely haphazard experimental. When the drums are in some sort of consistent rhythm mixed with the bass, guitar & cello elements, and the organ/keyboards are jamming out quite an effective groove- this is passable as less imaginative & controlled version of some of Miles Davis Electric period. Also sometimes when it dips into percussion-less mixers of the various instrumental textures this can also be somewhat effective summoning up a lose brew of modern classic, improv & experimental texturing. But sadly much of the tracks here just feel too loose, too shapeless- sure they are flits of good ideas, but as no one person ever really seems to guide this sonic trip it very often become a muddled mess.
As you expect with an Esoteric label release it’s got well thought-out & put together packaging with the CD jewel case taking in a 16 page booklet, which features pictures of the performance & remembrance of the event from most of the players in the Ensemble.
It’s really difficult to see who this release would really appeal to, as jazz fusion fans may find the whole thing a little lose & shapeless, while avant classic or improv fans would find this a bit too unplanned & wondering, and prog fans would probably find the whole thing a little too out-there. I guess this might be of interest to those who are familiar with some of the Ensemble’s players more known work. Anyway this Certainly it’s another very produced release from Esoteric, it’s just a pity that it’s sonic contents are far from consistent