LP MACKENZIE THEORY Out Of The Blue 1973 PROG Fusion

	A$		47
	$		31

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This record has been cleaned and played through completely both sides on a Thorens Turntable as well as visually inspected under a bright halogen desk lamp to provide an accurate grading as possible.
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1973 Australian issue
MUSHROOM label # MRL 34925

CONDITION

GATEFOLD SLEEVE : Notable signs of age-wear in terms of rubbing on front cover from years of storage / ring-wear evident on the back cover / some edge-wear as well however overall still quite presentable / inside covers are excellent / no splits and the spine is intact / probably heaps better than most that surface nowadays which are few and far between in anycase.

DESCRIPTION

Early on the group established a reputation as they consistently enthralled festival and concert audiences with a dynamic instrumental sound that embraced elements of Santana (circa Caravanserai), King Crimson, John Coltrane and Mahavishnu Orchestra. As their popularity grew, Mackenzie Theory made regular appearances alongside the likes of Spectrum, Madder Lake, Chain, The Aztecs and Band of Light which led to a keen interest from rising young pop entrepreneur Michael Gudinski who signed them to his then fledgling Mushroom label.

Recorded ‘live-in-the-studio’ in front of a very small but appreciative audience this all instrumental affair takes the listener on a pulsating, often fiery musical journey as the guitar playing of band leader Rob MacKenzie intertwines with the electric viola of Cleis Pearce, all the time being chaperoned by a fairly low- key rhythm section in Mike Leadabrand on bass and Andy Majewski on drums.

The music on "Out Of The Blue" shifts from the very jazzy to fairly hard rocking and goes to a number of places in-between, truly fusing these two main musical influences. Band members and critics alike agreed that whilse the album “did not do justice to the band's powerful stage presence” it is invaluable as a snapshot of the band in performance and as a document of at least some of what they were capable of.

"Out Of The Blue" is certainly not your average run of the mill Aussie LP however has long been regarded by many as a classic 'avante garde' record worthy of a spot in any rock collection.

PERSONNEL :
- Rob MacKenzie / guitars
- Cleis Pearce / electric viola
- Mike Leadabrand / bass
- Andy Majewski / drums

MORE NOTES

The group created a style that was unique, no guitar pyrotechnics, but rather etheral chords behind and Pearce's electric viola. The use of a viola instead of a violin was inspired, the deeper tone better suited the music than the high pitch of a violin. MacKenzie was the real leader of the band and the sound centred on his spacey guitar style and very open compositions. Pearce's viola adds a colour that is perfect for the music.

They made just 2 albums to a muted commercial response, available only in Australia and long since deleted. First was "Out Of The Blue" in 1973, was recorded live in the studio and works very well at catching the spontaneity of the band and showed off their jazz credentials. Following the first album they toured around the country, trying to summon some interest, but didn't really succeed. When the time came for the second album, it was clear that the band was about to fold, hence the title "Bon Voyage". Again it was decided to record live, this time in concert. A keyboard was added to the mix with a new rhythm section. The preference for long improvised instrumentals is evidenced by the fact that album comprises of just 4 tracks and I suspect that these are edited. MacKenzie's love of jazz can be seen in the title of the last track, 'Supreme Love', an obvious play on John Coltrane's 'A Love Supreme'. There were a few musicians at that time playing the violin in fusion, most noteably, Jerry Goodman in The Mahavishnu Orchestra, Jean Luc Ponty and Michal Urbaniak. Pearce sounded like none of these. Likewise, no one sounded like MacKenzie on guitar and it is this that creates the unique sound and makes the band so interesting. Futhermore, their excellent musicianship and improvisatory skills make this a forgotten classic.
The band had ceased to exist by the time the 2nd album came out and thus another chapter in Aussie Rock closes as Mackenzie went abroad and Pierce pursued other interests.

"Like an Australian bred mixture of Canterbury prog and Mahavishnu fusion, Mackenzie Theory's music is that kind that grabs you instantly. Be it by the presence of an electric viola, or be it for the fiery guitar playing, this stuff is truly hot. … the music that you hear is made even more impressive by the fact that it was recorded live! Completely instrumental, the long improvs will remind you of the extended Caravan jams, only that they've replaced the organ for the already mentioned viola, in tandem with some tasty guitar playing….." - The Progressive Rock Listening Booth

SONGS
1. Extra Terrestrial Boogie
2. O
3. Opening Number
4. New Song
5. Out Of The Blue
6. World's The Way

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