Review Summary: A feast for the ears and some of the finest progressive rock around...
The brainchild of former Love Affair keyboardist Morgan Fisher, the short-lived progressive rock group, aptly titled "Morgan", came to be in 1971 after Fisher's departure from Love Affair the year before after a four year tenure. Consisting of former Smile vocalist (later known as Queen--yes "that" Queen!) Tim Staffell, drummer Maurice "Mo" Bacon, and the late bassist, Bob Sapsed, Morgan is usually, if ever, compared to other prog groups like Emerson, Lake & Palmer and Yes, with the former also using classical music as a base for new compositions.
"Nova Solis" consists of four tracks, "Sarmarkhand the Golden", "Alone", "War Games", and the title track, "Nova Solis." During the 40:44 of "Nova Solis", it will seem as you're traveling all throughout the universe, and with the cover art of a mysterious object (which seems to look like a church organ) floating away from the sun, it'll immerse you as you're experiencing the events in the songs.
Recorded in the (then) state-of-the-art RCA Studios in Rome, provided by RCA Italy, "Nova Solis" is dominated by autopanning devices, a VCS3 used mainly for Staffell's vocals on "Sarmarkhand the Golden" and Fisher's keyboards on the title track, many percussional instruments ranging from timpanis to tubular bells, and a 1930s Neo-Bechstein electric piano. All of this would be utilized by the group to make a unique, ground-breaking sound unlike any in progressive rock at the time.
"Sarmarkhand the Golden" is one of the two tracks which incorporates all of the tricks Morgan had up their sleeves, using a mellotron set to strings, and with Bob Sapsed on fretless bass, grouped with Tim Staffell's "duet" vocals, makes for an explosive opening.
One of the two songs that got Staffell his job in Morgan, "Alone", fades in from the desert, giving the feeling of emerging from a vast desert. An obvious Staffell showcase, with his vocal harmonies upfront in the recording. "War Games", a satirical lyric by Staffell on past crusades and holy wars, and the cost of war, is accompanied by fast-moving bass playing by Sapsed. (similar to Chris Squire's playing on "Heart of the Sunrise" from Yes' "Fragile")
But the undeniable highlight of the album is "Nova Solis", a grand twenty-minute long epic about the destruction of Earth from the viewpoint of an observer in space. In this track, you'll experience not only the death of Earth, but the lift-off from the dying planet, the passing of asteroids, and the laments of the observer.
Beginning with a rendition of Gustav Holst's "Jupiter", (hastily fought for from Holst's daughter, Imogen) we begin our travels with "Floating", once again showcasing both Staffell's vocal prowess and the fine VCS3 effects used on his voice. After "Take-Off", we encounter "Asteroids", made by Sapsed on his bass with ring-modulated effects, and Fisher's Hammond organ, fizzling into the next part.
"Earth", a track written by Staffell, and previously played by Smile almost two years before, describes the beginning of the end for Earth. This was, like "Alone", the other audition-winning tune by Staffell. Following "Earth" is "Hyperspace: The Return Home", based on "Floating", consists of Sapsed's fuzz bass and drums by Mo Bacon, is fast-paced and frantic. "Nova", though short, is the climax of the track, seguing into another Staffell composition, "May I Remember".
On this track, is the finale of the destruction as the observer looks on as Earth is destroyed, being reduced to a blackened shell. The Earth is no more. And at last, the suite comes to an end, bookended by "Jupiter." And with the noodling on piano and cymbals, gradually reduced to Bacon's cymbals, and soon after, a fade-out, "Nova Solis" ends as it began.
For a debut of a obscure prog group, this album is nothing like its progressive counterparts, using the best equipment available to its highest extent, and without the filler of other groups, (I'm looking at you, ELP!) this has to be one of the best progressive rock albums I have had the pleasure of hearing.
Morgan is:
Morgan Fisher- keyboards (lots of them)
Tim Staffell- vocals, acoustic guitar
Bob Sapsed- fretless bass
Mo Bacon- drums, percussion
