Blues/prog/psych outfit formed 1967 in Nottingham, England, by guitarist/keybordist Rik Kenton, John Sanderson on horn and violin, bassist Mich Wheat and drummer Steve Harris. After playing locally popular club gigs they were invited to perform at the Marquee in London and there spotted by an artist agency who fixed them a contract with Pye label. Title of the album was picked from an early 19th century book about the sexual adventures of a nun. Original photo sessions for the sleeve was with a stripper picturing a nun in certain positions, but those didn't turn out as expected so instead they added a last minute face pic of drummer Steve Harris on front. As the story goes producer Jack Dorsey didn't care much for producing and was more interested in the band's groupies, so the recordings were mostly live in the studio and instead of the overdubs the band wanted Dorsey added psych effects they didn't like. Feel I have to mention the circumstances, cause when it come to performance and song-writing this is a highly enjoyable album and I guess with a more appealing sleeve consisting of "sexy nun" pics and a thorough production it could have been at least a small success at the time. Now it didn't sell at all and the band dissolved soon after. Listening today I hear a very appealing example of the genre merge that started about that time and later blossomed as "prog" or "art-rock". If you haven't heard it yet - imagine a blend of early Jethro Tull and Savoy Brown as inspired by Colosseum and Fleetwood Mac, spiced with some psych effects (messy description I know, but to my ears it's all there...funny cause in the rear notes John Peel is comparing them to Captain Beefheart and Family...so there may have been an even wider range of inspiration ). I get a mix of white blues, jazzy ballads, dreamy instrumental parts plus good sax and guitar solos. Audio on this UK press is top notch - big and clear with good separation providing very good listening. Favorite tracks - "Uncle John" frenzied with adventurous saxophone, "Gramophone Man" as Spirit covers always are welcome and "Vile Lynn" hard blues with flute and howling guitars. For more on the songs and band background check rear notes below. To say something negative - Rik Kentons vocals may be percieved as somewhat plain and a couple of the cuts sounds dangerously close to Jethro Tull, but he do nail the notes and most bands at this time copied eachother rather barefacedly so no big deal. Also originally released on Pye in Canada (same number) and France (CLVLXPY 353), but to my knowledge never issued in US. Counterfeits exist on both vinyl and CD. UK 2002 legit CD on Castle Music (CMRCD 515) came with mono single mixes of "Biography" and "Tell You I'm Gone" as bonus tracks. Premiere UK had label as shown here, thick unflexible vinyl and laminated flip-back cover. (PÖY*)
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