MacKenzie Theory - Out of the Blue (Reissue) (1973/1999)

Australian prog rock/jazz rock group active from 9/1971-5/1974.

Born in the Melbourne music scene of early 1970's Australia, MACKENZIE THEORY played a brand of instrumental jazz-rock not unlike that of MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA tempered by ITS A BEAUTIFUL DAY. The MACKENZIE THEORY sound was centred on the inventive and fiery guitar playing of Rob MacKenzie teamed with the electric viola of the classically-trained Cleis Pearce.

As well as MacKenzie and Pearce, the the initial MACKENZIE THEORY line-up was rounded out with the recruitment of bassist Mike Leadabrand and drummer Andy Majewski. The band took the name MACKENZIE THEORY as recognition of its alignment to Rob MacKenzie's theories on music and his philosophies on the link between the music and life. In September of 1973 there were changes to the MACKENZIE THEORY line-up when Mike Leadabrand and Andy Majewski left the band and were replaced by Paul 'Sheepdog' Wheeler and Greg Sheehan, respectively. At the same time Peter Jones came into MACKENZIE THEORY on electric piano, adding a new dimension to their sound.

After burning brightly for a short period, things were all over for MACKENZIE THEORY by the middle of 1974 after Rob MacKenzie was awarded a study grant from the Australian Council for the Arts, and he and Pearce decided to head to the UK Kingdom to pursue study options. While in the UK and later in the USA, Rob MacKenzie had the opportunity to work the likes of Peter Gabriel, Pete Townshend, members of Brand X and Mike Bloomfield.

Rob MacKenzie was last known to be residing in the USA and playing lead guitar for rock 'n' roll revivalists SHA NA NA. Cleis Pearce continues to play music in Australia as well as having achieved success in the visual arts arena.

The first recorded work of MACKENZIE THEORY appeared on the 1973 Sunbury Music Festival triple live album "The Great Australian Rock Festival Sunbury 1973". After failed attempts to create a studio album, the highly acclaimed MACKENZIE THEORY debut set "Out Of The Blue" was recorded live-in-the-studio before a small audience and released by Mushroom Records in July 1973. In 1974 a farewell concert for MACKENZIE THEORY was recorded at Dallas Brooks Hall in Melbourne, which was later released by Mushroom Records as the second MACKENZIE THEORY album "Bon Voyage". MACKENZIE THEORY also featured as an artist in the 1974 Sunbury Music Festival recording "Highlights of Sunbury '74, Part 2", plus the band has appeared from time to time on compilation releases. One notable compilation featuring MACKENZIE THEORY is the Australian progressive rock compilation "Golden Miles: Australian Progressive Rock 1969-74", released in 1994 by Raven Records.

MACKENZIE THEORY is an interesting band with a raw-edged sound for those who enjoy jazz-rock and the interplay between guitar and violin or, as is the case with MACKENZIE THEORY, the electric viola. Recommended.