Based on 1975's eponymous debut album and 1978's
Another Fine Tune,
Gilgamesh seemed rather polite, representing the Canterbury scene's cerebral side. But nearly two decades after keyboardist/bandleader/composer
Alan Gowen's 1981 passing, Cuneiform set out to broaden the understanding of this often spirited band with the archival release
Arriving Twice, issued in 2000. The angularity and complexity of those '70s albums blended into a late-night trippy ambience (not necessarily a bad thing). Comparably,
Arriving Twice is a wake-up call. Its eight tracks -- including three multi-part suites -- come from a 1973 demo tape and 1974 and 1975 BBC sessions.
Gowen, guitarist
Phil Lee, and drummer
Mike Travis are present throughout, while there are three different bassists and two tracks add second keyboardist
Pete Lemer. In the collection’s extensive liner notes tracing the band's history,
Travis complains about the "boxy and fussy" drum sound on tracks one and two, from the 1973 demo (
Gilgamesh's first-ever recording, in which
Gowen is heard only on Wurlitzer electric piano), but the balance is good, the recording is clear despite one rough patch, and
Gowen's unique conception -- with melodic tunefulness, advanced jazz harmonics, inimitable composing, and able soloing forming a unified whole -- is well displayed.