Clark-Hutchinson
A = MH2

Andy Clark and Mick Hutchinson form a duo that in the early '70s recorded three albums of excellent craftsmanship, although the first one, which I will describe, is decidedly on another level compared to the subsequent "Retribution" and "Gestalt". It is an instrumental prog where Hutchinson's guitar stands out prominently, so much so that I agree with those who say this album anticipates by several years the work of our contemporary guitar heroes.

But let's get to the work in question.

A bass accompanied by percussion introduces us to the beginning of this arcane journey. When I listen to this "Improvisation On A Modal Scale" I think of a circus: the percussion are the jugglers, the guitar is a trapeze artist flying from one scale to another offering the most spectacular numbers, the bass is a clown continually circling on its unicycle... All this is a world unto itself, and when the curtain falls, you are left having to forget everything that happened in this first song. Henceforth, my advice is to listen to the music with dimmed lights to create the right atmosphere and to fully appreciate the meditative and reflective aspect of the subsequent compositions.

In "Acapulco Gold" there is room only for guitar and bass: the atmosphere is mysterious, and Mick is sublime in crafting this fascinating sonic mosaic. In the following piece, "Impromptu In "E" Minor", the percussion returns and the first part is entrusted to the piano excellently played by Andy; afterward, the guitar will take the lead part until the end of the song. "Textures in 3/4" starts like the previous one, only instead of the piano, Andy plays the sax. This time, however, the guitar decides to intervene earlier and begins to delight the ears with its solos; it then leaves room for a piano-flute-keyboard interlude, only to "catch its breath" before the grand finale. The atmosphere and quality remain unchanged even in the last "Improvisation On An Indian Scale". As the title suggests, a journey to India is about to be undertaken: our guide will be Hutchinson's guitar, unsurprisingly, which this time plays for thirteen minutes straight without giving a moment's respite to the listener.

It is certainly not an easy-to-listen-to record, but it will undoubtedly not disappoint lovers of "rocking and around" guitar and those who favor music that delivers emotions and images to contemplate and admire.