A band with a very roller coaster carreer and agenda, to say the least. 45-wise a mix of worlwide hits and non-sellers and their early albums very uneven, containing top numbers as well as unexciting trials. The debute "There's A Lot Of It About" with four self-penned pop-psych marvels - "I See The Rain", "Man In A Shop", "There Aint No Use In Hangin' On" and "Mr Lion" plus a very competent "Hey Joe" version, surrounded by bland covers. The follow-up "Reflections Of Marmalade" had the all time classic ballad "Reflections Of My Life" and the good psych "Kaleidoscope" while the rest was more or less forgettable. This third - issued after guitarist/singer Jimmy Campbell and drummer Alan Whitehead had left, replaced by Hugh Nicholson and Dougie Henderson - is of a lot more consistant quality. Self-produced and all songs written by the band. Only thing incoherent here would be the genre mix. Two raw hard rockers - "Bad Weather" and "I've Been Around Too Long" - fused with much softer melodic pop. If you don't find that disturbing it's a very well done album. Vocals are beautiful, guitars handsome, backing apt and audio crystal clear. Don't know if to call it a lost gem, but as it's seldom mentioned today and there's a lot to love on it, maybe a fitting concept after all. Originally also released in a couple of European countries, South Africa, Japan and Downunder, but to my knowledge never in US. Japan 2006 CD on Air Mail Recordings (AIRAC-1242) came with ten bonus tracks. Premiere UK had label as shown here, thick vinyl and glossy cover with "-71" dated blue box stereo inner. (MYK*)
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