Nucleus ~ England

We'll Talk About It Later (1971)

For whatever reason, I didn't document Nucleus' second album after digesting Elastic Rock initially. And it appears to have missed entirely the 2010 revisit of Elastic Rock. So I'm on my first listen in 21 years. My rating was higher on this title (RYM and ProgArchives both have it as the highest rated Nucleus studio album overall). Let's see if I can remember why.

Right from the off we are treated to much heavier rock sound than anything the predecessor displayed. A1 is a jamming great opener. A2 strangely reminds me of mid 70s Embryo with its funky wah wah guitar rhythm and soprano sax soloing. Once again, Nucleus were the pioneers. A3 is a lovely moody piece, calling out the best aspects of Elastic Rock. The title track has a wonderful loose electric feel that gets pretty freaky towards the end, also pointing to the best of the Kraut Fusion albums of the early 70s (some Embryo Rocksession here). B1 contains a heavy funk groove with trumpet soling on top, similar to Bitches Brew. Now Nucleus is in student mode, about time. B2 gets all muddy and grungy, love it. Ooh, vocals too. I like them. B3 revisits the primary 1916 theme from Elastic Rock, but in more fiery fashion, with added haunting vocals. Sax a bit too squeaky at the end for my liking.

Overall, this is much better than I remembered, and a classic of its kind. +1 listen and +2 on Elastic Rock. Essential jazz rock.

Ownership: 1994 BGO (2xCD). With Elastic Rock. Booklet with historical liner notes.

 

2004 (acquired); 9/8/25

Elastic Rock (1970)

All these years later, and I have yet to create an entry for Nucleus on UMR. If you don't count later Soft Machine that is. OK, let's start with some notes I found from 21 years ago.

---2004

Better late than never, but Nucleus is a group I had somehow managed to avoid until now. Mixed bag of Brit jazz, Tony Williams’ Lifetime, Canterbury melody, even some Bacharach / Alpert inspired tunes. As many have noted, it's ridiculous how much Krautrock legends Alcatraz rip ‘Torrid Zone’ (and ‘Earth Mother’) on ‘Simple Headphone Mind’ (sure, I like what Alcatraz did with the piece – but how about some credit to Nucleus?). So a Miles Davis / cocktail / Soft Machine blend for the 007 crowd. Listen to some cool proto-fusion and light a cigarette for Barbara Bain.

---9/8/25

That's a good summary of my now-current thoughts considering I didn't have much background at the time. Today I hear this very much like a 1970 era English jazz album that I'm now more familiar with. I noted later that year on a quick revisit how much I really enjoy 'Taranaki' with its gorgeous melody and smooth groove. It's way too short unfortunately. '1916 (Battle of Boogaloo)' is another highlight. 'Torrid Zone' is brilliant, of course. Some pretty intense rhythms on that one. B4 is a drum solo, but it's short. 'Persephones Jive' is an excellent energetic closer.

Ownership: 1994 BGO (2xCD). With We'll Talk About It Later. Booklet with historical liner notes.

2004 (acquired / review); 5/3/10; 9/8/25 (update)

Other albums I own and need to review: Solar Plexus; Belladonna; Under the Sun

9/8/25 (new entry)