GONG — Shapeshifter (review)

GONG — Shapeshifter album cover Album · 1992 · Jazz Related Rock Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
seyo
"Shapeshifter" is the first studio album under the GONG name since "Expresso II" (1978) and yet first including Daevid Allen since "You" (1974).

Although not entirely within the concept of Planet GonG, it includes many references to this space mythology, so it can be seen as Part 4 of the "Radio Gnome Invisible" cycle. Allen, G. Smyth, Malherbe and Pyle remind us on their early career when they developed an original space-rock freak-out psychedelia.

The album can be listened nicely, albeit often interrupted with unnecessary short instrumental (tablas) or vocal breaks. There are certain Indian raga music influences along with unusual acoustic folk numbers ("Spirit with Me" with African kora sounds, "White Doves"). Still, the compositions like "Shapeshifter", "Hymnalayas", "Give My Mother a Soul Call", "Heaven's Gate" or "Loli" are the top of GonG psychedelia where Allen presents himself as an excellent vocalist too. Among the guest players, the bassist and the violinist are amazing and their sound marks significantly this album.

"Can You: You Can" is a wild live performance where Malherbe's sax is brilliant. Another live recording is included as a bonus: "Goddess Invocation/Om Riff" contains parts of "Magic Mother Invocation" from "You" album, but is perhaps extended a little bit too much.

Although without Pot Head Pixies, this album featuring Xerox Mandelbrot character (a.k.a. Shapeshifter) is in every way valid addition to the classic trilogy. Go with it!
Share this review
more

Review Comments

Post a public comment below | Send private message to the reviewer
Please login to post a shout
No shouts posted yet. Be the first member to do so above!

Review Index

Member Zone

Username:
Password:
Stay signed in

Jazz Subgenres

Artists Alpha-index

JMA TOP 5 Jazz ALBUMS

Rating by members, ranked by custom algorithm
Albums with 30 ratings and more
A Love Supreme Post Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners
Kind of Blue Cool Jazz
MILES DAVIS
Buy this album from our partners
The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady Progressive Big Band
CHARLES MINGUS
Buy this album from our partners
Blue Train Hard Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners
My Favorite Things Hard Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners

New Jazz Artists

New Jazz Releases

Beneath the Skin Vocal Jazz
NNENNA FREELON
Buy this album from MMA partners
Ozark Concerto Third Stream
JAKE HERTZOG
Buy this album from MMA partners
Samuel Blaser, Peter Bockius, Tilman Günther, Lucien Bovet : R​ê​verie 21st Century Modern
SAMUEL BLASER
Buy this album from MMA partners
Joe Morris, Caleb Duval, Michael Larocca : Refreshment Jazz Related Improv/Composition
JOE MORRIS
Buy this album from MMA partners
She Pop/Art Song/Folk
REBECCA MARTIN
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Jazz Online Videos

Yellowjackets - Comin’ Home Baby (Official Audio)
YELLOWJACKETS
js· 12 hours ago
After the Last Sky
ANOUAR BRAHEM
js· 20 hours ago
Positive Energy
GREG ABATE
snobb· 3 days ago
The 23
NELS CLINE
snobb· 3 days ago
Simple Pleasure
CHARLES CHEN
js· 4 days ago
More videos

New JMA Jazz Forum Topics

More in the forums

New Site interactions

More...

Latest Jazz News

members-submitted

More in the forums

Social Media

Follow us
Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook fan RSS Feed