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Groon: Refusal to Comply (CD, 70:58);
Progressive International PRO 050, 1994
E-mail: tim@visionlogic.demon.co.uk
Cyberhome: http://www.visionlogic.demon.co.uk

Tim Crowther is a well-kept secret when it comes to fiery fusion guitar work. His playing here on 
Refusal to Comply is the epitome of high-energy. Riffs are explosive, driving, full of sustain 
and overdriven in raw power with phrasings to delight the hearts of any die-hard, fusion head. This 
power trio of Crowther on guitar/guitar synth, Algy Ward on bass and Steve Clarke on drums calls 
back the huge sound accomplished by King Crimson on Red. Yet this isn't progressive rock 
as much as it is volcanic jazz rock. Crowther wails on wah-wah, ostinato bursts of unparalleled 
speed and legato leaps of John McLaughlin wildness, all with Bill Connors-flavored overdrive.
	Song compositions are widely varied and pull the listener into rapt attention for fusion fusillades 
funneling forth and wispy vapor trails of quieter moments of anticipation. Each member writes 
tracks as well as they create in combination. The spirit of adventure runs rampant here with Clarke 
exploding on drums in a very Billy Cobham style. Crowther interprets sonic moods perfectly. To 
truly exhibit this trio's finesse they even cover The Mahavishnu Orchestra's "Celestial Terrestrial 
Commuters" from Birds of Fire! Wow, Crowther and gang tear it up, the only thing missing 
was Hammerian Moog fills. This Crowther is flat-out awesome.
	The remaining seven tracks are filled with wonderful power chords, open chords, killer lead 
breaks, and effects. This is a jazz rock fusion gem mine here. Catch a drum solo, get funked up, 
rocked out in distortion/wah-wah/angst riffage and masive attack and drones. All the good stuff of 
hard fusion just comes natural to these guys. Make sure you seek this rare release out if you like 
your fusion with some "bite". Highly recommended.	~ John W. Patterson








Tony Marsh/Steve Franklin/Tim Crowther - Shell of
Certainty

A British trio of drums, keyboards, and guitar/guitar synth
respectively, Marsh, Franklin, and Crowther have extensive
resumes of jazz and improvised rock work.  Shell of
Certainty is their first CD together, and all tracks were
improvised and recorded live with no overdubs.

These improvisations are sonically and thematically chaotic and
scattered, loosely in the vein of King Crimson's live improvs
in 73-74.  Melodic fragments are jumbled; chordal features are
short and clipped.  The jazz influence is most prominent
sonically, but not compositionally, as the structures are more
random.

Marsh's drumming has a light jazz flavor with subtle cymbal
work.  Franklin uses crunchy analog synth sounds and clean
piano, among other textures, to good effect.  Crowther's guitar
sounds also range widely, including a smooth fusion sound like
a cross between Allan Holdsworth and Scott Henderson.  The
musicians interact quite well, developing improvised themes and
directions that remain engaging as they build.

Improvised rock is difficult to listen to, absorb, and most of
all, judge, especially in a short time frame, instead requiring
repeated listening and reflection.  The highest compliment
should be that a listener is intrigued enough to want to listen
more, to invest time and work in listening and comprehending.
Marsh, Franklin, and Crowther's music definitely holds this
appeal, and fans of sonic experimentation in rock improvisation
should definitely check out Shell of Certainty.

Reviewed by Scott Andrews 

More information at:  www.visionlogic.demon.co.uk
Conglomerate - Precisely the Opposite Of What We Know To Be True
(Progressive International, 1994)
Contact Info: tim@visionlogic.demon.co.uk
Cyberhome: Tim Crowther's
                    Visionlogic - new electric music
                    http://www.visionlogic.demon.co.uk/

This arrived at the same time as Network's Corroded Path, on the same label, and sharing
three band members with the lineup on that album.  "All tracks improvised by
Conglomerate," the liner notes inform me, so it seems like we're looking at a project
formed to scratch Network's itch for improvisational jazz workouts.  And what an itch
they must've had, 'cause here we are presented with seventy-five minutes of obviously
improvised and often blisteringly intense fusion jams.

Parent band Network is a composed and highly intense fusion outfit, often reminiscent of
Holdsworth or the Dregs, led by the prodigous talents of guitarist Tim Crowther. 
Conglomerate, on the other hand, lies squarely in the realm of Miles Davis' mid-70s
free-fusion freakouts like Dark Magus and Live Evil, but is perhaps a bit more spritely and
less menacing.  Improvised projects can so often fall into complete disarray (especially for
this listener), so it's heartening to note that each of these ten tracks bears a different
stylistic stamp and no one tune outstays its welcome (well, except for the drum solo, but I
suppose that's a matter of taste).

Unlike Network, where the horns are generally relegated to the back of the mix in favor of
Crowther's guitar, Conglomerate gives trumpet player Ted Emmett free rein.  Ted runs
with it, sharing (or often stealing) the spotlight from Crowther.  "Candles," the epic
opening track, gives him center stage more often than not, and his soloing is always
unique and tasteful.

Each other member is more than formidable.  Crowther, often subtle on this disc, falls into
some sort of wonderful trance about halfway through track seven, "Position B," and
channels John McLaughlin while the rest of the band struggle to keep up.  Keyboards are
used mainly as a backdrop, which is unfortunate, as the soloing and synth tone on
"Candles" is simply fantastic.  I do wish keyboardist Steve Franklin had taken more leads
on this disc.  It makes me wonder how much of the diversity on this album is the result of
always-fresh improvisational ideas and how much results from the too-many-cooks
syndrome.

The rhythm section certainly deserves a mention, as drummer Steve Clarke rarely stops
riffing, and bassist Hugh Hopper is a veteran of stalwart Canterbury prog-jazzers Soft
Machine.  Despite his pedigree, Hopper is, honestly, the least standout member of the
ensemble.  It's perhaps understandable considering that at least three-fifths of the band
have worked together in Network and, if Conglomerate is any indication, have developed
a musical telepathy of sorts.  Still, Hopper provides a more than adequate basis for these
fierce soloists and enough tonal color to keep the bottom end interesting.

If you're at all enamored of Miles' more experimental side, I recommend hunting down
this release.  In fact, those who enjoyed the Bruford/Levin Upper Extremities disc (as well
as David Torn's Cloud About Mercury) might find plenty to appreciate here, even though
the general tone is a bit more intense.  Network and fusion fans will need to gauge their
level of tolerance for free improvisation before seeking this out, but if they're willing to
embrace flights of fancy by these five talented musicians (including one bonafide legend),
then by all means move this one to the top of your list.

~ Mike Thaxton

Tracks:

1. Candles 14:07
2. Vespers 6:06
3. Arthur's Paranoid Half Hour 10:53
4. Fridge of Flies 8:08
5. All Nice and Clean 5:18
6. Patterns 5:34
7. Position B 5:56
8. More Wine, Darling 7:02
9. Bertie Simply Refused to Grow 3:32
10. Perverted Foods 8:12

Lineup:

Tim Crowther - Guitar/Guitar Synth
Ted Emmett - Trumpet
Steve Franklin - Keyboards
Hugh Hopper - Bass
Steve Clarke - Drums



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