Ian Carr with Nucleus – Solar Plexus LP

Description

The outstandingSolar Plexus, the much-loved third album fromIan CarrandNucleus, was first released on Vertigo in 1971. Genius trumpeter and visionary composerIan Carrwas one of the most respected British musicians of his era.

Ian Carr describesSolar Plexus: “I wroteSolar Plexuslast year with the help of an Arts Council grant. It is based on two short themes which are stated at the beginning (‘Elements I’ and ‘II’). The first theme is angular and has a slow, crab-like movement: the second theme is direct, simple and diatonic. ‘Changing Time’ and ‘Spirit Level’ explore the first theme and ‘Bedrock Deadlock’ and ‘Torso’ explore the second one. ‘Snakehips Dream’ tries to fuse both themes. (The title is a reference to the famous dancer‘Snakehips’ Johnson).”

Solar Plexusfeatures the same lineup asElastic RockandWe’ll Talk About It Later, but they’re augmented by six guests, three of which play brass. Carr himself had almost full control of the writing and it does feel very different to the previous albums. It’s more of a jazz record loosely based on a rock foundation rather than jazz fusion jamming. The haunting synth-and-bass soundscape “Elements I and II” opens the album in dramatic, experimental fashion. It gives way to the bright, funky feel-good jazz of “Changing Times”. An elegant onslaught of horns, courtesy of guestsKenny WheelerandHarry Beckett, ride a solid groove for the duration. The melancholic “Bedrock Deadlock” features the brooding majesty ofJenkins‘s oboe andClyne‘s mournful, skittering double bass. Wah wah guitar, drums and funky percussion then take over before the horns ride you out over frenetic beats. The dark, angular “Spirit Level” is a real highlight, by turns harmonic and beautiful then dissonant and wayward. The breezy soul of “Torso” feels like a breath of fresh air, skipping along in the up-tempo style with guitar, horns, drums and bass. A track which truly sounds scintillating, featuring sax solos, fantastic propulsive interplay from all the group around the halfway stage before Marshall gets his chance to really shine in closing out with a polyrhythmic drum solo. Final track “Snakehips’ Dream” stretches cooly out over 15 minutes to round out a spellbinding album. An epic, suave groove, it’s a relaxing piece with warm electric keys, laconic guitar and languorous horns. Truly sophisticated soulful jazz. Remastered from the original Vertigo master tapes bySimon Francis. Cut byCicely Balstonat AIR Studios. Gatefold sleeve.