Missing Pieces

Album Review

Skip around to any ten-second window on this album and you may think you are hearing a well-rehearsed college band. But, step back and witness the sudden shifts in tempo and musical voice and you know you are witnessing a uniquely successful eclecticism. Most of the material from this superlative British prog rock band was previously unavailable in any form. National Health was the farm team for some of Great Britain's most expansive and important artists. Bill Bruford (Yes, King Crimson) handles the traps on most of the tracks. Bassist "Dirk" Mont Cambell's very interesting multi-instrumental album is also on East Side Digital. Steve Hillage laid down his guitar to produce albums and explore electronica with System 7. This and other news along the where-are-they-now? line is included in the liner notes by Dave Stewart. Stewart himself is spoken of in neo-classical circles for his avant-pop albums. A taste of this can be had in the re-recording of "Starlight on Seaweed" presented here and produced by Stewart and his then-current partner Barbara Gaskin. Stewart also elucidates each daring track with notes. Missing Pieces is a compelling reason to believe progressive rock suggested much artistic possibility that was never realized.