LUTHER GROSVENOR/UNDER OPEN SKIES ILPS 9168 (-71) UK

 His one solo album before the 1996 "Floodgates". Recorded between his partakings in Spooky Tooth and Mott The Hoople (there under the alias Ariel Bender). All tracks self-penned, three together with his then spouse Githa. The backing was truly impressive. Mike Kellie and John Hawken (Spooky Tooth), Mike Giles (King Crimson), Trevor Burton (The Move), Trevor Lucas (Fairport Convention, Fotheringay), Jim Capaldi (Traffic) and Mick Ralphs (Mott The Hoople). With such an amazing crowd it just couldn't go wrong and it didn't. This is an odd vinyl animal and hard to describe by general genres, but the closest would be - folk psych. Sometimes rocking and sometimes almost jazzy, yet resting on a solid singer/ songwriter foundation. Mostly sweet though with occational dark undertones. I especially like the opening "Ride On" and the ending title number, with the inbetweens also providing good listening so there's no need to jump tracks.  For some reason it didn't sell that well at first and stayed almost forgotten for many years, but lately been rediscovered by collectors and music lovers. And rightly so cause it's well worth to be heard, explored and enjoyed. 1971 issues on Island in US (SMAS 9312), Downunder and over Europe.  UK CD on Edsel (EDCD 364). Premiere UK had label as shown here in a glossy fold/out cover.  (FSÄ*)