Band formed by former Blues Project members Al Kooper and Steve Katz together with Jim Fielder (earlier with Tim Buckley, Mothers Of Invention and Buffalo Springfield), Fred Lipsius (previously with Ron Metcalfe), Randy Brecker (who'd played with Clark Terry and Thad Jones), Bobby Colomby, Dick Halligan and Jerry Weiss. In a way a US supergroup, built around an Al Kooper idea of a rock band with a prominent horn section. Today this debute is widely considered a classic album and forerunner both to seventies prog and the more list friendly brass pop and rock later developed by groups as Chicago and later BS&T settings. However it didn't do great at the time, halting at #47 on Billboard, and after some disagreements on creative matters Kooper got sacked. The band's musical direction changed towards a more crowd pleasing outcome for the following albums, eventually resulting in list toppers and Grammy awards. So this is the only BS&T album with the originally intended sound. Songs seemingly as much a product of studio jams as preset conditions and though there are some artificial overdubs - as the backward guitar in "My Days Are Numbered" - the overall impression is live in the studio. Very good listening, honest and heartfelt, with top performances. Favorite tracks - "I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know", "Somethin' Goin' On" and "Just One Smile". Had the UK mono fold earlier, but it didn't come out totally right - somewhat unbalanced with partly fallible separation. Considering the stereo's lack of compability this mono promo has to be a totally different mix - strong with perfect balance and separation all through. Album issued and reissued on vinyl, reel and CD all over the world through the years. First UK on CBS (S/63296). Japan 2012 CD (Sony SICP 20411) came with three previously unissued mono takes as bonus. Premiere US had "two-eye" label as shown here and glossy cover. (ÖXCÅ*) (YZÄ*) (ÄLCÖ*)(ÖRJ*)
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