Ozric Tentacles - Live At The Fridge, Brixton 19.5.91

This videotape is now very rare and fetches quite hefty prices online whenever found. So the question is: is it worth it? The answer is of course it does, for many reasons.

Firstly, it features what is considered the classic line up of Ed, Joie, Jon, Roly, Merv and even Paul Hankin, which no other official video release does. Many fans, including me, never had the chance to witness this line up, so this is our only chance.

Also, it’s got some exclusive features. As far as I know it’s the only live release, video or audio, that’s got Sniffing Dog on it and the opening ‘Space Jam’, both amazing. The transformation of Kick Muck into ‘Obscure Jazz Thing’ is also worthy of mention. Finally Og-Ha-Be, Sunscape and the Aum Riff Jam have only appeared on live albums but no DVD.

As anyone who’s been to a few Ozrics shows knows you rarely hear the same version of a tune more than once. There are always small or big adaptations and every gig is a unique experience as far as execution of the material is concerned. And of course the band is on top form. The whole concert – or at least as much as we are shown, it may well have lasted three hours – is a highlight. Personal favorites are Space Jam, the dub ending of Og-Ha-Be, Sunscape and Sniffing Dog. Dissolution lasts ages, probably about a quarter of an hour, and even includes the main riff from Bizarre Bazaar. I could do without Paul’s occasionally intrusive percussion, though to be fair his contribution is generally subtle.

There are only a few problems with this release. The sound quality is not exactly top notch. The whole thing is a bit muffled and there’s quite a bit of static which occasionally affects the high end of the music. It’s not completely bootleg quality though, just not as good as it could have been. Also, just like the newer Sunrise Festival DVD there are added digital ‘hallucinations’ which are VERY dated. A bit silly if you ask me. And, get this, this is a VIDEOTAPE! Although it’s been around for quite some time now and every other Ozrics release has been reissued at least twice, this has been totally overlooked. WHY? It would be a killer reissue if it was remastered and added a few extra tunes – or the whole of the rest of the show for the matter. Come on Snapper, DO IT!

Those of you who are in doubt whether this is any good you can always check clips on youtube and make up your mind. It does lose slightly in quality but it’s enough to give you a taste – and make you decide to part with your money.