GAVIN MACDONALD/LINES SLRZ 1027 (-72) UK

This is a true mystery to me. Picked it for the label and thought I'd learn more about it by checking the net, but hardly get anything. Rear sleeve say all tracks are self penned, produced by somebody named Jimmy Duncan (which probably is the US composer, manager, arranger and producer who in the sixties worked with acts like Electric Prunes and ? And The Mysterians). Then it goes on to thank "The Players", "Songbirds", "The Pinewalk Prince", "Mr Fixit" and Keith Harwood. The latter was recording engineer at Olympic Studios in London, but who or what were behind the credited pseudonyms I can't figure out. Can't find anything useful about Gavin MacDonald either, so the guy remains an enigma. He recorded one more album 1974 - "The Minstrel", (French release on Pathé Marconi 2C064-94872) - and a couple of 45:s for UK Sunlight label, but that seems to have been it. I've seen this LP described as singer-songwriter, hippieish or folk psych. All those may fit, but "psych" only in the broadest sense of the word. What I hear here is good emotional pop, sometimes with a country feeling, most of it supported by adaptive string arrangements and sterling background quires. He has a nice voice, slightly reminding of Kevin Ayers', and the whole thing comes through soft and cozy. Favorite tracks - "Lines", "Angelene" and "I Can See A Light Shining". This is a rarity and if LP:s come rare today it's often because they weren't that good and therefore unsold back then, but this is alright. Not goundbreaking or immediately conspicuous, but very pleasant listening and a keeper for sure. Also released on vinyl in Australia (HMV OCSD-7693) and Germany (Philips 6303054), but to my knowledge never reissued in any form. Premiere UK had label as shown here and thin fully structured cover. Last pic below is an enlargement of the very small one top front sleeve. (RÄZ*) (SYSÖ*)