L

Steve Hillage's second album, recorded at Bearsville Studios in New York, featured a different group of guest musicians—this time, all were Americans. Todd Rundgren took over the production duties and his Utopia compatriots subbed as the backing band: Roger Powell manned the keyboards, while Kasim Sulton and John Wilcox filled the rhythm section. Evidently Hillage and flat mate Chris Cutler were big fans, so he jumped at the chance to work with the American. The album, L, opens with a cover of Donovan's "Hurdy Gurdy Man," though Hillage's signature is all over it. Far more interesting is the original "Hurdy Gurdy Glissando" that follows. Guided by a tabla rhythm, it slowly rises before erupting into a quick-tempo jam—one that even borders on the fusion end of things. The Utopians are a strong ensemble; Wilcox's manic drumming is often overbearing. The second side's major track is the 12-minute "Lunar Musick Suite" (sic). Thrust open with Hillage's Arabic-tinged guitar soaring above a sequencer loop, any subtlety is lost once Wilcox's pounding beat kicks in. The track then takes a far more celestial pace and things get infinitely more interesting. Don Cherry adds some trumpet—a unique combination—before the track turns all Hillage at the end. His guitar playing is exceptional throughout the album, relying on speed and fluidity more than his usual echo delay. Despite another plodding backbeat, the closing track is a rousing cover of George Harrison's "It's All Too Much." Though this song failed to chart as a single, the album would be Hillage's most successful, reaching the Top 10 in the UK. With his ever-present partner Miquette Giraudy on vocals and synthesizer, Hillage then assembled a touring band: The first incarnation featured Colin Bass on (what else) bass, ex-Jethro Tull drummer Clive Bunker on drums, Basil Brooks (Zorch) on synthesizers, Phil Hodge on keyboards and Frenchman Christian Boulé, previously with Clearlight, as a second guitarist. Eventually, the band made it to the US to tour, supporting Electric Light Orchestra.