An unfortunately neglected masterpiece of '70s progressive rock, the first extended collaboration by
John Greaves and
Peter Blegvad (formerly of
Henry Cow and
Slapp Happy, respectively) is a brilliant amalgam of
Slapp Happy's skewed pop sense, the collective improvisation approach of
Henry Cow, the sly wit of the Canterbury prog rock scene, and (most fruitfully)
Carla Bley's inimitably skewed progressive jazz. Although
Bley's contributions are purely instrumental and vocal (the album was written entirely by
Greaves and
Blegvad), songs like the rushing, choral "Twenty-Two Proverbs" sound heavily influenced by her early-'70s work with
Paul Haines and
Michael Mantler (who engineered this album; there is no producer credit). Most of the lead vocals are taken by
Lisa Herman, whose lovely, clear voice delivers
Blegvad's playful, often surreal lyrics (filled with anagrams, palindromes, and other verbal games) in a tone that suggests a deeper emotional core to songs that might otherwise have been merely clever. One of the most satisfying albums that any of the principals have been involved with,
Kew. Rhone. is a challenging but surprisingly accessible album that rewards as much attention as the listener offers it.