Chris Wood - Vulcan

Ex-Traffic man’s previously unreleased solo jam

This album was originally intended for release in the mid-70s, following Traffic’s demise in 1974. It failed to emerge, however, as the UK musical scene took its punkish sidestep away from anything that included lengthy tracks with instruments such as Chris Wood’s trademark sax and flute.

With contributions from members of The Wailers, Vulcan often exhibits a crossover appeal, integrating Traffic’s jazzier influences with a bedrock of Caribbean grooves that, though not always evident, add a broader dimension. See No Man Girl has Wood’s flute intertwining itself among summer carnival happiness, whilst the sax-led Letter One is a much more restrained and darker affair.

There’s no doubt that the late Chris Wood was a supremely talented player, with his work having broad appeal to rock, jazz and world music fans. The addition here of a 1974 Traffic version of Moonchild Vulcan (aka Wood’s Bolero) will be a specific draw to many, but the deeper beauty of tracks such as the relaxed and drifty Barbed Wire is what will attract most. An exotic dish of fine sounds more than worthy of the man’s memory.

4 stars 4 stars 4 stars 4 stars

Esoteric | ECLEC 2079

Reviewed by Kingsley Abbott
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