Solution ~ Netherlands

Fully Interlocking (1977)

Solution's 4th album continues their evolution of sound. On Fully Interlocking they mix smooth jazz rock with an AOR sensibility. Other than A1 and B3, the album is instrumental. The grooves are irresistible and the melodies are sublime. A2 and A3 are particularly strong. The star of the show isn't Tom Barlage this time, but rather Willem Ennes, whose synthesizer tones are truly timeless. Reminds me of Franklin Street Arterial for you deep divers. Only B3 can be skipped and an unfortunate close to an otherwise great album. Fully Interlocking is a step up from its last two predecessors, and sits in second place against the almighty debut. One of those under the radar classics no one talks about. A late era release by a group where it seemed their best days were behind them. Though it appears their last two albums after this see Solution fall off the cliff, I still wouldn't mind giving them a shot.

Strangely, Fully Interlocking was clipped from the American release schedule. It wasn't until four years later that the album received a release on the First American label (misnomer apparently). By 1981, the type of music Solution is peddling here was long out of fashion.

Ownership: 1977 Rocket Record UK (LP)

7/13/25 (acquired / review)
 

Cordon Bleu (1975)

Solution's third album follows a similar trajectory to that of Germany's Passport. The overall sound is that of a friendly jazz rock with a progressive rock heritage. Solution remains slightly truer to the latter genre, and even includes sparse vocals. I found Side 2 more pleasant to the ear, and it was enough to find shelf space, something the sophomore effort failed to do.

Ownership: 1975 Rocket (LP)

5/23/25 (acquired / review)
 

Solution (1971)

Strong debut from Solution, a fuzz-laden organ and sax / flute driven band from The Netherlands. The primarily instrumental music is highly melodic, a common and much welcome trait among Dutch progressive rock groups. On this album, Solution reminds me of fellow countrymen Pantheon and the Danish Burnin' Red Ivanhoe with props to the overlord of this kind of sound - Hot Rats era Frank Zappa. In fact, 'Circus Circumstances' sounds like Samla Mammas Manna playing the music of prime Zappa.  'Koan' and 'Trane Steps' are the best tracks here, but no weak moments are to be found. 

The cover is also one of my all-time favorites. I love the little kid on the tricycle with his life-vest "solution" riding along the canal, which is priceless. The snapshot of a quiet sunny 1971 neighborhood in Holland (Spaarnwoude apparently) is also great. 

Ownership: 

1971 Catfish (LP)

2012 Esoteric (CD) Liner notes and photos.

1994 (acquired); 9/8/12 (review)

Divergence (1972) 

What a dubious opening for Solution's second album Divergence - the first six minutes of 'Second Line' mounting to nothing more than a crooner's piano ballad that is painful to endure. But the last two minutes of said track offer hope for those of us who adored their debut album. The following title track will remind most folks of Focus, and that's because it was included as part of the 'Eruption' track as found on Moving Waves, though the organ and sax breaks found here are entirely their own. 'Concentration' veers dangerously close to being a proto Kenny G, when the music suddenly takes a dark turn to the skanky bar on the corner. And after the drunks have left, the band gets down to business and proves their instrumental worthiness. The album closes as it starts, and is the death knell. I can only shake my head, as the immense brilliance of the debut is pretty much lost here.

Former ownership: 1996 EMI (CD). Was included with the debut album (minus one track), but I swapped this CD for the Esoteric version which doesn't have it.

2004 (acquired); 9/8/12 (review)

9/8/12 (new entry)