BEE GEES/CUCUMBER CASTLE 2383.010 (-70) SCANDINAVIA

 The group's seventh album, then performed by a core consisting of Barry and Maurice Gibb supported by various other musicians, as Robin Gibb had left for a solo carreer just before recordings. The issue can also be called a soundtrack since it carries songs from their TV special "Cucumber Castle", named after a song on their debute LP. I've always thought Bee Gees did best before the disco era and try to find originals of their earlier stuff in nice nick. For some reason this has been hard to find like that, but now I have and giving it a first listen. After getting through for the first time I'm feeling almost overly romantic. It's all very dramatic in a quite soothing way. The arrangements, mix and audio all impeccable, though maybe a little too generous with the reverb. No rock'n'roll, nothing very adventurous. I wouldn't even call it regular pop, most of it just slow idyllic ballads. Very melodic. Then after listening a couple of more times I'm rather pleased, though miss something sticking out, something very out of the ordinary, something downright catchy, but I don't get much of that. "Dont Forget To Remember" is one you do remember, "I.O.I.O." has bongos and some chanting, making it fun to listen to, and the jazzy "My Thing" odd enough to become my favorite so far. Apart from those I'm not all in, but it's still early days for me rooting around in the castle and I might be more comfy there given time. Issued and reissued on all possble formats all over the world through the years. Premiere UK on Polydor (2383.010). Japan 2022 CD on Capitol (UICY 16107). First Scandinavian had label as shown here in a fully laminated fold/out cover. (BÅXÅ*) (CCÖ*) (ZÖNT*)