Little Red Record by Matching Mole

Little Red Record by Matching Mole from 1972, their second and last album.
This is an album of experimental fusion of great complexity and innovation in which melodies and dissonances are balanced and perhaps for this reason perceived as less "Canterbury-like" compared to the group's previous work, a point on which Robert Wyatt himself reflected. An album that is not easy to listen to, there is a lot of experimentation, even more than in their debut.  

A group effort in which Wyatt "limits" himself only to drums and singing his lyrics, and the other members of the band contribute more to the compositions compared to the first album.

The album was produced by Robert Fripp of King Crimson and features Brian Eno as a guest on synths.

The album title refers to Chairman Mao's "Little Red Book" (1964). This reference is also found in the fake-Chinese style of the cover, which recalls the posters created during the Chinese Cultural Revolution.

This version contains ten tracks instead of nine as in the original version because the track Horse is included as a Bonus Track

It's impossible to do a track by track for albums like these where experimentation and variations are the norm, so I will try to describe some images gathered during listening.

Sounds and vocalizations, unsettling piano undertones, tracks sometimes minimal in sound but very intense, the voice used as an instrument, exceptional melodies and harmonies but also moments of very fast prog, piano and drums are always exceptional, even when melodic bases appear that recall the symphonic rock of the same era but under which jazz rock rages in a riot of drums, bass, piano and guitar, hypnotic moments, jams, extraordinary double bass work, distortions, piano dissonances that move towards experimentation with synths and guitar. Very jazzy, it often feels like being in a smoky, dusty bar while a jazz-psychedelic jam echoes in the air. Great atmospheres from the keyboards in long solos. Extremely technical and precise drumming, with surprising choices of solutions.

An album for the discerning listener

Tracklist
1. Starting in the Middle of the Day, We Can Drink Our Politics Away (2:31)
2. Marchides (8:25)
3. Nan True's Hole (3:36)
4. Righteous Rhumba (2:50)
5. Brandy as in Benj (4:24)
6. Gloria Gloom (8:06)
7. God Song (2:59)
8. Flora Fidgit (3:26)
9. Smoke Signal (6:37)
Total Time 42:54

10. Horse (Bonus Track in this version)

LineUp
- Phil Miller - guitars
- Dave McRae - grand piano, Fender Rhodes electric piano, Hammond organ, (Eno's) synthesizer (8)
- Bill MacCormick - bass
- Robert Wyatt - drums, vocals
With:
- Robert Fripp - producer
- Brian Eno - VCS3 synthesizer (6)
- Julie "Ruby Crystal" Christie - vocals (3)
- Mike Harding - presenter (1-3 bonus)
- "Der Mütter Korus":
- Dave Gale - choir vocals
- Little Honest Injun - choir vocals
- Julie "Ruby Crystal" Christie - choir vocals

Note: All links to the musicians' works are in the TAGS under the article title or on the "Artists" page.