First Light - 1978 - First Light

First Light

1978

First Light

01. First Light (3:56)

02. Emerald Tide (4:04)

03. Sonidos Negros (2:52)

04. Duologue (5:13)

05. Zenith (4:00)

06. Earth Wave (4:44)

07. Tropical Inequation (5:05)

08. Azure Azimuth (3:24)

09. Solar Illusion (4:47)

10. Fire in the West (2:12)

John Gray / electric, classical & acoustic guitars

Harry Freeman / electric & acoustic pianos, SH-5 & Moog synthesizers, String Ensemble

Graham Jesse / soprano, alto & tenor saxophones, flute

Allan Freeman / bass, vocals

Ron Carpenter / drums, Mellotron, vocals

Gerald Frape / percussion

Marion Henderson / vocals

Beth Freeman / vocals

Jeanette Freeman / vocals

First Light was actually an offshot Jazz Rock project by Aleph's drummer Ron Carpenter, at a time when the latter was in a struggle.The band comprised also of John Gray on guitar, Harry Freeman on pianos, synthesizers and string ensemble (both played in the Progressive Rock act Aeon), Graham Jesse on saxes and flute and Allan Freeman on bass and vocals, while Carpenter played the drums, Mellotron and sung.Marion Henderson, Beth Freeman, Jeanette Freeman helped on backing voices and Gerald Frape was involved in percussion for the band's only self-titled album, recorded at the Music Farm Studios in Coorabell and released in 1979 as a private release.

''First light'' belongs definitely among the goodies of Jazz-oriented Progressive Rock and it's a lovely release of mascular, technically compentent and instrumentally rich Fusion.The music contains certain Jazz-Rock vibes and some superb electric Fusion ala RETURN TO FOREVER, lots of Latin-spiced ideas in the vein of neighbours LIVING FORCE and even some slight CAMEL references during the guitar parts and solos.The extended instrumentation resulted a massive display of diverse musical backgrounds, where the flute goes and the sax comes in, the electric piano is combined with synthesizers and the Mellotron and the basic vibrations are propelled each time by a different musician: Edgy guitar chops, sax-fronted soloing, frenetic electric piano and atmospheric, flashy synth parts.It flirts dangerously with the Prog Rock label, because of its wide palette of instrumental colors and the addition of vocals are also another thing to like in this.And it moves towards the jazzier style of the genre with plenty of solos, exotic tunes and free jams, but it also contains elaborate atmospheres and fantastic rhythm changes, which were basic elements of progressive music.The second side is particularly excellent with some dramatic Prog Fusion, featuring powerful orchestrations and a fine combination of female choirs with dense instrumental parts.

Pretty excellent Jazz Rock/Prog from the Oceanic islands.Mark this among the releases, which define the style and moreover are amazingly well-played.Highly recommended.

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.