Gamma - 1974 - Darts

Gamma

1974 

Darts

01. Wishing Like Children Part One 3:15
02. Wishing Like Children Part Two 2:11
03. Exposal 5:03
04. Endless 2:24
05. Goodbye Holiday 6:11
06. Darts 6:45
07. Anna's Mood 2:28
08. Heart Rythme 4:43
09. Your Face 3:30

Bass – Rob Goubitz
Drums, Percussion – Hans Van Der Schaft
Keyboards – Paul Poulissen
Guitar – Lex Bolderdijck (tracks: A2, A5, B1)
Percussion – Bob Martens
Guitar – Wouter Hasebos

Recorded 19, 20, 21, 22, 24 and 27 October 1974 at DALI PRESS STUDIO's B.V. Machineweg 8-12, Nederhorst den Berg. Holland.

Special thanks to Ralph Dragstra and Petra

Gamma's sophomore effort Darts is a welcome departure from their debut. Gone are the iffy vocals and its place is an excellent blend of sensual soft fusion mixed with occasional loud guitar and organ leads. I really like the mood of this album, and the grooves are superb. Generally mislabeled as a prog rock album, Darts belongs more to the jazz rock school. Not flashy in the slightest, but focus is on melody and rhythm, where it should be. Speaking of Focus, 'Your Face' sounds lifted straight from the Moving Waves sessions. Great album, almost every track a winner!

Great sound - kind of thick, jazzy and easy going. I guess it would be easy to say that this is "nothing special", but maybe that's the secret ingredient.

Something about this record makes me feel happy. Although this was obviously intended for the Rock market, something about it feels strangely egoless - like a good library music release. No real "rock album" dynamics, just a good collection of cool instrumentals with a nice flow to it. You can tell they aren't in a hurry to impress you. There is a sense of freedom in there - or maybe it's the naturally laidback attitude of dutch people.

Their fellow countrymen Spin sometimes hit a slightly similar vibe (ie : "Little Bitch"), although there is a little more of that "stressed cheese" jazz-rock feel in Spin's music.