Alquin
Alquin - Marks & Mountain Queen ( 1972 & 1973)
Artist: Alquin
Album: Marks & Mountain Queen
Released: 1972 & 1973 / 1990
POLYDOR 843 211-2
Genre: Progressive
Review:
ALQUIN were an innovative Dutch band who released four studio albums during the early to mid-70's, their first two being of particular interest to progsters. With a mixture of rock, jazz and classical music, they show elements of SOFT MACHINE, CARAVAN, PINK FLOYD, CURVED AIR with tinges of ROXY MUSIC.
"Marks" (1972), their first release, is mostly instrumental with a highly jazzy feel. Quite versatile, it features snippets of calypso, circus music, Dixieland and (of all things!) country music. Their best progressive effort, however, is their second album "Mountain Queen" (1973) which features long instrumental passages with prominent lead guitar, whirling Hammond organ, dual saxophones, electric violin and catchy choruses in a slightly Canterbury style.
Track List:
1. Oriental journey (4:22)
2. The least you could do is send me some flowers (2:25)
3. Soft Royce (6:57)
4. I wish I could (11:27)
5. You always can change (3:04)
6. Marc's occasional Showers (3:21)
7. Catharine's wig (2:31)
8. The dance (13:00)
9. Soft-eyed woman (2:38)
10. Convicts of the air (3:50)
11. Mountain queen (14:45)
12. Don and Dewey (1:27)
13. Mr. Barnum's Jr's magnificient and fabulous city (8:25)
Musicians:
- Ferdinand Bakker / guitar, keyboards, vocals
- Dick Franssen / keyboards
- Ronald Ottenhoff / saxes, flute
- Hein Mars / bass
- Job Tarenskeen / percussion, vocals
- Paul Westrate / drums