Gong

Release Overview

In March 1978, Pierre Moerlen's Gong released their album "Expresso II" under Virgin Records. This album served as a direct follow-up to the acclaimed "Gazeuse!" from 1976, which was known as "Expresso" in the United States. The recording sessions took place in July and August of 1977 at Pye Studios and Matrix Studios in London, showcasing the band's unique blend of jazz-rock and fusion.

Musical Composition

"Expresso II" features a rich tapestry of sounds, driven primarily by the complex mallet percussion setup of Pierre Moerlen, Benoit Moerlen, and Mireille Bauer. Pierre Moerlen takes the lead on drums, vibraphone, xylophone, glockenspiel, timpani, and tubular bells. The album introduces American bassist Hansford Rowe, who brings an additional layer to the band's sound with his contributions on bass and rhythm guitar.

Guest Musicians

The album is notable for its high-profile guest musicians. Allan Holdsworth, a prominent figure in the jazz fusion genre, provides electric guitar work on tracks like "Heavy Tune," "Sleepy," and "Soli." Mick Taylor, famed for his tenure with the Rolling Stones, also appears on "Heavy Tune" with a bluesy lead guitar performance. Additionally, Darryl Way, known for his work with Curved Air, adds electric violin to "Sleepy" and "Boring," enhancing the album's complexity and depth.

Track Highlights

Among the six tracks, "Heavy Tune" opens the album with a heavy funk groove, featuring the interplay between Taylor's bluesy leads and Holdsworth's intricate guitar work. "Golden Dilemma" and "Sleepy" further explore the band’s fusion style, while "Boring" and "Three Blind Mice" showcase the vibrant percussion elements that define much of Gong's music.

Production Credits

The production of "Expresso II" was managed by the band in collaboration with John Wood, a sound engineer known for his work with prominent artists like Nick Drake and Pink Floyd. This partnership contributed to the album's polished sound, ensuring that the intricate arrangements and virtuosic performances were captured effectively. The album was released as a vinyl LP format with the catalog number Virgin V 2099.

"Expresso II" features a total of six tracks, recorded at Pye Studios and Matrix Studios in London.