Snafu - EAST OF EDEN***

Have To Whack It Up/Leaping Beauties For Rudy-Marcus Junior/Xhorkham-Ramadhan-In The Snow For A Blow- Part 1-Better Git It In Your Soul-Part III/Uno Transito Clapori/Gum Arabic-Confucius/Nymphenburger/Habibi Baby-Boehm Constructor-Beast Of Sweden/Traditional

Snafu was the follow up album from the versatile British progressive band East Of Eden. They were one of the first to tap into musical influences from around the world. (UK:29)

“East Of Eden refined the approach started on the debut and literally jazzed it up a few notches. Alternating between bluesy and ska guitar, free-form jazz and catchy jazz-fusion with ethnic world music incorporated into the fabric, the band was one of the very first to incorporate influences and rhythms from around the world. In addition we also get violin, flute, saxes, various other wind instruments and percussion. Several other unorthodox experiments really add spice to an already strong album.”

“East of Eden's Snafu is a compelling overlooked gem from the golden age of prog. The band are at their best when they get into intense, extended jams, which the long running time of the tracks offers plentiful scope. The inventiveness on display means the album offers a stimulating mental workout for the attentive listener.”

“A more experimental follow-up album, with jazz, psych, world and progressive influences. Difficult to pigeonhole and not the masterpiece of the debut, but still a must own. Too bad they stopped innovating here.”

“Continuing in a similar vein as their first, this one is much more progressive, with stronger jazz influences, yet still not particularly compelling.”

“This is an interesting band for people who like progressive rock jams, written in a multi-part way that seems to flow naturally. They played a completely unique amalgam of rock, jazz and world music. The resulting material is truly mesmerizing, switching rapidly between purely melodic passages into electrifying improvisations, sometimes almost free form.”

“Prog rock with the emphasis on rock feels a little too redundantly jam oriented and psychedelically dated, when not briefly outshining dated shackles with inspired fusion work. Fans of the more extroverted antics of older progressive bands looking for more material could do worse.”