System 7.3: Fire & Water * by 777 (CD, Jan-1995, 2 Discs, Astralwerks Record Label)

System 7, the 1990s brainchild of guitarist Steve Hillage (of Canterbury and Gong fame) releases a 2–CD set depicting not-so-similar versions of certain songs, the “fire” version (that is, fast, hot, and danceable) and the “water” version (the slowed–down chill rendition).

I must confess that I am too old to frequent the clubs where I might experience, first–hand, the yin–yang expressions here in their “natural” environment, but this is a great listen anyway.

I am drawn more to the water disc, probably because I am more often in the mood to chill than to be invigorated. Both discs are valuable in their own way, and the fire disc usually receives the higher rating from those who want to dance to it.

Steve’s solo album “Rainbow Dome Music” from the late 1970s, is perhaps his most serene and beautiful, and if you wanted an even softer version of the water disc, that would certainly be it.

This 2–CD set usually sells cheap on ebay, it is a great thing to have around when you need one type of “mood music” or another!