This remix of tracks by Vertigo artists from the 1970s is coordinated to be released with a similar but unmixed and different selection of Vertigo tracks entitled 'Time Machine' on a three CD set. This Andy Votel selection is interesting for Nucleus fans because it contains two tracks (albeit tantalisingly short snatches) from 'Belladonna' ('Hector's House') and the title track from 'Roots'. Also, crucially, and not credited on the sleeve, there are several very short bursts of instantly recognisable VCS3 synthesiser taken from the 'Solar Plexus' album, scattered throughout the collection. Although there is plenty of 'progressive rock' on the CD, there are also bursts of jazz tinged fusion from the likes of Colosseum ('The Kettle') and Bob Downes ('Piccadilly Circles') and nice also to see Mo Foster's late lamented group Affinity getting no fewer than three tracks on this album. The good thing about this album is that it complements 'Time Machine' rather than duplicating it. For all diehard Nucleus fans, there is no substitute for purchasing the now thankfully all reissued CDs. Having said that I was quite surprised at how much I liked a lot of the tracks here (including, of course, all the aforementioned), and it was great to hear these great tracks by the likes of Marsha Hunt, Linda Hoyle, Manfred Mann, Juicy Lucy, Alan Stivell, Patto and the unmistakable drumming of Ginger Baker in his Baker Gurvitz Army.

Roger Farbey, April 2005