First Light ~ Australia

First Light (1978)

---7/19/10

First Light were a band from Australia with direct ties to the excellent progressive rock / AOR hybrid band known as Aleph. First Light is a bit different though, and they play a mighty fine (mostly) instrumental jazz rock. Sunny in its approach, with some excellent guitar leads, at times reaching a Santana like intensity. Some nice ensemble unison runs with sax, flute, electric piano, and the female voice on 'Earth Wave' gives it a Northettes feel, that adds points. 'Tropical Inequation' is brilliant, a 5 star instrumental. Back cover says: "Mellotron and special effects kindly supplied by Aleph",though I can honestly say I couldn't spot the mellotron. High quality Australian fusion that deserves to be filed next to Crossfire, Snakes Alive, and Mackenzie Theory.

---3/27/26

That was my review for the CDRWL. I also snuck in another listen to my cd-r and added it here to UMR (likely updated the review as well). Now I've finally secured the LP, much to my glee, and will forward the contents to the current date.

Do I have anything to add to the original review? Not really. I called out two tracks above, and they both open the second side. I would suggest, then, that this side is the better of the two. Though not by a whole lot. The music is highly melodic, and isn't showoff-y in the slightest. Sits comfortably between jazz fusion and progressive rock, though I would categorize it as the former.

Ownership: 1978 M.F.S. / Music Farm Studios (LP). Gatefold.

7/19/10 (review); 9/28/18; 3/27/26 (update)

No legit reissues as of 3/27/26.

9/28/18 (new entry)