The Colours of Chlo¿¿

's first record remains his most well-known and influential. An ambitious work of what might be called symphonic , helped to define the sound -- picturesque, romantic, at times rhythmically involved, at others and harmonically abstruse. at various points combines strings, choir, synthesizer, and small ensemble. It's a brew that can bring to mind some of the and of the era, although 's vision is a good deal more idiosyncratic than that. The disc is comprised of only four tracks. First is the atmospheric, stage-setting followed by the title track, during which pianist and drummer become active. Next is featuring deft Rhodes chording from and a fluegelhorn solo by . Finally, there's the nearly 20-minute (this was originally side two of the LP), based on a fast, repetitive bass riff that keeps re-emerging throughout the course of the composition. People will disagree about whether stands the test of time, but 's aesthetic played a significant role in the creative music of the '70s, attracting a fair share of emulators. ~ David R. Adler