Isotope-Upward Curve-The Recordings 1973-1976 -Progressive Voyages Review
Desperate Times Call For Desperate Measures or similar the saying gets, which was what happened when I sold my vinyl collection a few years ago, amongst the items I sold were the 3 albums that are I caused in this fine little box, Namely Isotope, Illusion and Deep End
Also included in this set are a 1973 BBC In Concert and their Old Grey Whistle test performance from 1974 along with a Deep End remixes, better still is the forthcoming zgary Boyle set of zthe Dancer and Electric Glide which all together will give the the full contents of the highly expensive and difficult to find Isotope The BBC live collection an album I've been seeking for several years, So to have it, Albeit over several discs is very satisfying indeed.
Isotope we're formed after guitarist Gary Boyle had ceased working with Brian Auger and Stomu Yamashta and decided to firm his own group in conjunction with Brian Miller Keyboards and Synthesisers, Jeff Clynne Bass and Nige Morris Drums, the majority of thevmusic came from Brian Miller as Gary lacked confidence in his own compositions, Clyne had previously been with legendary Jazz Fusion band Nucleus and dad along career inbthe Jazz world, After working with Stomu Yamashara and Brian Auger.
Gary decided that he wanted to explore the burgeoning “fusion” sound for himself alongside Brian,Jeff and Nigel the band arrived at Adavision studios where they spent several October days creating their first album Isotope one of the first UK takes on Jazz Rock Fusion That could proudly stand alongside Return To Forever or Mahavisnu Orchestra recordings, The albums leans more to Jazz than rock yet it still contains enough splendid guitar to satisy guitar enthusiasts.
The Record label Gull expressed a desire that Gary should up the rock element more than the Jazz side, This lead to both Jeff and Brian leaving the band, Help was at hand though in the form of former Soft machine bassist Hugh Hopper who was friends with Nigel from a shared time in East Wind, the keyboard role was taken by Lawrence Scott who was actually a Dentist who moonlighted as a keyboard player Gary persuaded him to join the revised Isotope for the album Illusion. Which is subtly different to the debut album, especially with Hugh Hopper’s Fuzz bass being very prominent in the mix, Gary of course is burning up his fretboard throughout usually in tandem with Lawrence's keyboards.
By the time of Deep End the lineuop had been expanded to include Zoe Kronberger on keyboards, who replaced Lawrence who returned to his dentistry career, Additional keyboard player Frank Roberts and new bassist Dan K Brown who replaced Hugh Hopper. Both Hopper and Scott contributed to the track Fonebone. And the sound changed yet again as Zoe was interested in Sound so the keyboards had a stronger role in the band, nut fret not they still sound excellent.
The live sections are of course of tremendous interest as hear you can hear a band beginning the ascent in the world of Jazz Fusion, Their playing here is incendiary and you get a sense of what a powerhouse they were in a live performance setting, The Whistle Test cuts are equally as impressive with Gary's freewheeling guitar really making an impact.
AZs always with these Esoteric Records releases the set comes in a clamshell box with excellent sleeve notes by respected King Crimson writer Sid Smith.
All in all a wonderful set that I'd been hoping to see a release of for several years seriously fine jaz fusion here folks!
Info Here: Isotope: Upward Curve - The Recordings 1973-1976, 3CD Box Set https://share.google/GNMHJGYtJp6gLcgYN
Author John Wenlock-Smith Saturday 27th June 2026.