THE BLUES BAND/OFFICIAL BOOTLEG ALBUM BBBP 101 (-80) SCANDINAVIA

 At first glance this looks very plain and anonymous. Neutral band name and front having title like stamped on an all white background. But when you see the rear sleeve and the inner it suddenly gets more interesting. Apparently a setting consisting of Paul Jones and Tom McGuiness (Manfred Mann), Hughie Flint (John Mayall's Blues Breakers), Dave Kelly (Tramp) and Gary Fletcher (Sam Apple Pie). So tons of bluesy knowledge in that gang. For the story how they came to be please check the rear sleeve text below. Apparently no major record company wanted to release the recording at first, so they made a private press of 3000 numbered and signed copies just to get it out. But after getting attention from BBC they got a contract with Arista Records in UK, who just re-released it as it was. It also became a kind of breakthrough and the band went on up to 2022, releasing twentytwo more albums along the way. With all that experience put together it's no surprise this debute comes out as a very good blues album. A mix of covers and self-penned, mostly executed hard and fast, always with excellence. And the audio is perfect, very exact very natural. Don't know how it was recorded, but it gives the impression of being mostly done live in the studio with only minor later additions. If you're into British white blues you probably have it already, if not it's highly recomended. Full album below. Issued on vinyl all over Europe, Canada, Downunder, South Africa and South America, but to my knowledge never in US. Japan 2009 CD, remastered in paper sleeve (Air Mail Archive AIRAC-1517) came with two bonus tracks. First Scandinavian had label as shown here in a fully laminated cover with picture inner.  (CCÖ*) (MÄNÄ*)