UK Coventry combo existing between 1969-72. After playing local universities and clubs they were discovered by then Black Sabbath coach Jim Simpson who recommended them to Olav Wyper - an earlier Vertigo manager, now head of RCA:s progressive Neon label. He brought them to Trident Studios in London together with Sabbath producer Rodger Bain to record this debute, but as things turned out it became their only album. Bassist Harker left just after recordings and the reformed group only lasted another year due to zero promotion, low sales and lack of money. Often when albums today reach some kind of rarity status because of initially low sales it derives from them not being good enough in the first place. This is a beautiful exception. From a time when genre subdivisions meant nothing I get psych, prog, r&b and melodic pop, not as separate parts but blended to a whole. It's all there - theme changes, catchy riffs, elaborated melodies and equilibristic guitar solos - tightly performed with attractive vocals and an almost ever-present organ. The audio is soft rather than distinct, creating a dreamy atmosphere. In all pretty unique (though I can't help hearing some faint resemblance to Traffic and Crazy World Of Arthur Brown through some of the vocals and keyboard treatment). From first minutes of opening track "God Is The Dog" I'm caught and don't wanna get out till the last bass note of "Another Tree Will Grow". Sadly unhyped and soon forgotten then, but luckily rediscovered last decades by concerned music lovers. German 1993 CD on Repertoire (REP 4357-WP). Italian 2002 on Akarma (AK 197) remixed for both vinyl and CD. Early vinyl issues also in US, Germany and Venezuela. First UK had labels as shown here, matt fold/out cover and black inner.
Inga kommentarer:
Skicka en kommentar