Scope (1974)
Exactly the type of instrumental progressive rock I like. Has a slight jazz edge, and rocks hard with plenty of great guitar, Rhodes, and flute solos. Like a cross between Finch, Secret Oyster, Bill Connors era Return to Forever, and the Swedish band Energy. Both albums are smoking hot!
---7/30/20
If I were to review both albums together, as I did then, I think the above holds true. The debut is an instrumental progressive rock album with fusion tendencies. And Scope II is an instrumental fusion album with progressive rock tendencies. The differences are small, but is noticeable in the overall instrumentation and sound. What separates Scope from the pack is the songwriting, and the focus on melody, something the Dutch are historically great at. It's not enough to impress with chops, there needs to be meaning behind these notes. And they also know how use color, timbre, and dynamics to make each song distinct from each other. Music like this was dime a dozen in the 70s and yet Scope transcended that typical style to the next level. Both albums are essential, especially for fans of the aforementioned bands in my original notes.
If I were to review both albums together, as I did then, I think the above holds true. The debut is an instrumental progressive rock album with fusion tendencies. And Scope II is an instrumental fusion album with progressive rock tendencies. The differences are small, but is noticeable in the overall instrumentation and sound. What separates Scope from the pack is the songwriting, and the focus on melody, something the Dutch are historically great at. It's not enough to impress with chops, there needs to be meaning behind these notes. And they also know how use color, timbre, and dynamics to make each song distinct from each other. Music like this was dime a dozen in the 70s and yet Scope transcended that typical style to the next level. Both albums are essential, especially for fans of the aforementioned bands in my original notes.
The CD contains two excellent bonus tracks taken from a 1971 45 by Strange Power, who were the precursor to Scope.
2005 (acquired); 8/6/09 (review); 7/30/20 (update)
Ownership:
1974 Atlantic (LP)
2020 Sireena (CD). Rough paper digipak with liner notes and two bonus tracks.
2005 (acquired); 8/6/09 (review); 7/30/20 (update)
7/30/20 (new entry)
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