rep>>> Trapeze - You Are The Music We're Just The Band (1972 uk, exceptional hard bluesy jazz funky rock, 2003 remaster)

Trapeze has long been underrated in hard rock and metal circles, as along with bands like UFO, Thin Lizzy, Uriah Heep, Black Sabbath, and Deep Purple, helped define European heavy metal and shape "riff" rock of the 80's. Comprised of Glenn Hughes on vocals, bass, and keyboards, Mel Galley (later of Whitesnake) on guitar, and Dave Holland (later of Judas Priest) on drums, the band was a bona fide supergroup, but only recorded a few albums together before Hughes left to replace Roger Glover in Deep Purple in 1973, shortly after the tour for this album.

Songs like "Keepin' Time" and "Way Back to the Bone" contain huge guitar riffs from Galley, while Hughes and Holland lay down some funky rhythms. In fact, listening to some of these songs it is apparent who really came up with those chunky riffs on the Whitesnake album Slide it In. "Coast to Coast" is Hughes' signature melodic rocker, and the singer also shines on the earthy "What is a Woman's Role", a tune that features some neat electric piano and big rock guitar riffs. The band walks into Humble Pie or Bad Company arena rock territory on the funky blues rocker "Feelin' So Much Better Now", with Hughes' Steve Marriott inspired screeching leading the way over Galley's crushing power chords. 

Atmospheric sax and liquid electric piano give the crooning "Will Our Love End" a jazzy quality, while "Loser" is a heavy, funkified affair that sounds like it could have come off a Grand Funk Railroad album from the same time period. Galley's guitar solos are just plain dirty and nasty here, as he shows what an unknown talent he really was. The title track is a busy funky romp, littered with Hughes' intricate bass work and Galley's meaty riffs. A great ending to a landmark album.

Those new to Trapeze would be doing themselves justice by starting off here or with Medusa, another excellent release from this same line-up. Only then will you begin to realize just what all the fuss is about. 

by Pete Pardo, November 5th 2003

Tracks
1. Keepin Time (Mel Galley, Tom Galley) - 3:42
2. Coast To Coast (Glenn Hughes) - 3:57
3. What Is A Woman's Role (Glenn Hughes) - 5:39
4. Way Back To The Bone (Glenn Hughes) - 5:25
5. Feelin So Much Better (Glenn Hughes) - 3:36
6. Will Our Love End (Glenn Hughes) - 5:04
7. Loser (Mel Galley, Tom Galley) - 4:38
8. You Are The Music, We're Just The Band (Mel Galley, Tom Galley) - 5:13

Trapeze
*Glenn Hughes - Bass, Piano, Vocals
*Mel Galley - Guitar
*Dave Holland - Drums, Percussion
With
*B. J. Cole - Steel Guitar
*Rod Argent - Electric Piano
*Kirk Duncan - Electric Piano
*John Ogden - Percussion
*Frank Ricotti - Vibraphone
*Jimmy Hastings - Alto Saxophone

1970  Trapeze - Trapeze (2004 remaster with bonus tracks) 
1970  Trapeze - Medusa (2008 remaster)
1974  Trapeze - Hot Wire (2015 remaster)
1975  Trapeze - Trapeze (2015 remaster)
1975  Trapeze - Live At The Boat Club

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rep>>> Keith Cross • Peter Ross - Bored Civilians (1971-72 uk, magnificent folk rock with jazzy drops, 2010 J 'n' S bonus tracks issue)

Keith Cross first band was Bulldog Breed and one year later he joined T2. Keith was hailed as the new Eric Clapton when T2 released their album It'll All Work Out in Boomland. He left T2 after a few months and 2 years later Keith Cross joined a partnership with Peter Ross. 

Peter sung and played harp for Hookfoot, he also worked with Richard Thompson. The duo separated after their album Bored Civilians was released.

Their one and only effort is a fascinating trip, unlike the title of the album you won’t be bored for a moment. It starts with mild melodic ballads and their duet magic voices , continues with more free forms, like jazz nuances. 

Acoustic folk is always the element from which stems each separate inspiration, amazing vocals and great range of top musicians, offer an unforgettable journey which you hope it will never comes to end.

Tracks
1. The Last Ocean Rider (Peter Ross) - 6:56
2. Bored Civilians (Keith Cross) - 2:34
3. Peace In The End (Trevor Lucas, Sandy Denny) - 3:27
4. Story To A Friend (Keith Cross) - 11:06
5. Loving You Takes So Long (Peter Ross) - 4:20
6. Pastels (Keith Cross) - 4:07
7. The Dead Salute (Peter Ross) - 3:35
8. Bo Radley (Keith Cross) - 2:28
9. Fly Home (Keith Cross, Peter Ross) - 7:02
10.Can You Believe It (Keith Cross) – 2:53

11.Blind Willie Johnson (Peter Ross) – 3:41

Musicians
*Keith Cross - Guitar, Vocals
*Peter Ross - Guitar, Vocals
*Peter Arnesen - Keyboards
*Tony Carr - Percussion
*Steve Chapman - Drums
*Brian Cole - Pedal Steel Guitar
*Sid Gardner - Bass
*Jimmy Hastings - Wind
*Nick Lowe - Guitar
*Jenny Mason - Vocals
*Dee Murray - Bass
*Lea Nicholson - Vocals
*Tony Sharp - Voices
*Chris Stewart - Bass

Related Acts
1967-69  Bulldog Breed - Made In England
1970  T2 - It'll All Work Out in Boomland

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rep>>> White Cloud - White Cloud (1972 us, splendind country folk funky blues rock, 2018 korean remaster)

Although energy and effort to please, are not the only requirements of quality in a group of musicians, they certainly make the package more pleasurable. White Cloud seven people from different parts of USA, uses this energy to put together an act that varies from a country blues tune like “Hoe Bus” to a soulful number “Qualified” to some decidedly Joplinesque efforts by their lead female Joanne Vent.

Kenny Kosek fiddle some nice riffs and Don Payne is consistent on bass, while Richard Crooks maintains a steady heavy beat on the drums. Charlie Brown is the sun behind the cloud, definitely the shinning member of the group, emitting strong rays of good music from his electric guitar. White Cloud also backed John Hammond and Loudon Wainwright.

by Abigail Lewis

Tracks
1. All Cried Out (Mann Curtis, Michel Deborah) - 3:39
2. Hound Dog (Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller) - 3:20
3. Hoe Bus (Thomas Jefferson Kaye) - 4:44
4. Is That Somebody You (Joanne Vent, Thomas Jefferson Kaye) - 3:07
5. Rocky Roads To Clear (Joanne Vent, Thomas Jefferson Kaye) - 2:49
6. Qualified (Mack Rebenack, Jesse Hill) - 3:55
7. Colleection Box (Joanne Vent, Thomas Jefferson Kaye) - 4:03
8. Funky Bottom Congregation (Thomas Jefferson Kaye) - 4:24
9. Thanks For Nothin' (Thomas Jefferson Kaye) - 3:56
10.The Sun Don't Shine The Same (I. Vent, Joanne Vent, Thomas Jefferson Kaye) - 2:54

The White Cloud
*Charlie Brown - Guitar
*Richard Crooks - Percussion
*Thomas Jefferson Kaye - Guitar, Vocals
*Kenny Kosek - Violin, Vocals
*Don Payne - Bass
*Joanne Vent - Vocals
*Eric Weissberg - Banjo, Steel Guitar
*Teddy Wender - Keyboards, Vocals

Related Act

1969  Joanne Vent - The Black And White Of It Is Blues (2015 japan SHM remaster)   

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Universe - Universe (1977 us, stellar prog acid space rock, 2025 remaster)

The world of prog is full of surprises. In my search for obscure prog bands I stumbled across Universe. Although not quite as profound or mysterious as the universe we inhabit, the band is by far one of the best in American prog. Mixing the sounds of Hawkwind and Syd Barrett-era Pink Floyd, Universe successfully created their own acid rock sound.  Formed in the mid 1970s in California by Gary Paul Van and Dennis Lee Askew, Universe released one eponymous album in 1977, and what an album it was.  Before you listen to the music, you should dedicate some time to appreciate the album cover in all of its psychedelic beauty.

Notice the dove and the crosses on the cover.  There are religious overtones on this album: “Rock in the Sky” and “Light from Above”, for example, refer to God. But they lyrics are far from preachy, and Van’s ethereal vocals only emphasize the brilliant cosmic vibe. Keys, synthesizer, and guitar dominate, and all are performed with equal dexterity.  Some highlights:

Touchdown features fine acoustic and electric guitar work.  It is the longest song on the album (about 10 minutes) and reminds me of the Yes masterpiece Awaken.

Dream is the “spaciest” song on the album and may remind some listeners of The Beatles’ psychedelic classic Tomorrow Never Knows.

Remember the Stars opens with a bang and transitions with cosmic delight to Light From Above; it is one of the best American acid rock songs I’ve ever heard and my favorite piece on the album.

This is another one of those albums that does not receive the attention it deserves.  Although Universe will appeal mostly to fans of acid and space rock, anyone who enjoys prog will appreciate at least some of the songs here.

by Connor Mullin, January 19, 2014

Tracks

1. Rock In The Sky - 5:47

2. If - 1:00

3. Touchdown - 10:16

4. Dream - 3:18

5. Oceans - 4:28

6. Remember The Stars - 3:57

7. Light From Above - 3:50

Songs 2,4-7 Music and all Lyrics written by Dennis Lee Askew

Songs 1,3 Music written by Gary Paul Van

Universe

*Dennis Lee Askew - Harmony Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Percussion

*Gary Paul Van - Lead Vocals, Harmony Vocals, Keyboards

With

*John Sterling - Guitar

*Adam Shandel - Percussion (Tracks 4-6)

*Walfredo Reyes - Percussion (Tracks 1-3,7)

*Maritta Boyle - Backing Vocals (Track 7)

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rep>>> Love Affair - New Day (1970 uk, superb melt of mod beat psych and prog rock, 2008 bonus tracks remaster)

During the summer of 1970 Love Affair began recording the tracks destined for "New Day". The music here is something of a revelation and stills up after forty or so years ago. The album open with the tittle track, written by Mick Jackson, which sets the tone with bold progressive themes. Menacing chords from the keyboards help build up the tnesion befoe the drums come in and Gus Eadon sings with passionate clarity.

In May 1970 the group appeared on BBC TV's Top of the Pops to promote their single version of "Speak Of Peace, Sing Of Joy" looking very determined and serious as they played the four minute number "Live".

But it was an uphill battle to play down their old pop image. The LA name was quietly drop the group reverted back to Love Affair. By the end of the year, August 'Gus' Eadon had left the band. In 1973 he released a solo single Times Are Hard Now, Aint They?' / 'Ladybird' on the Dawn label. In 1974 he joined jazz rock group Zzebra, billed as 'Gus Yeadon' and played piano, guitar, flute clavinet. The band also included Terry Smith (guitar), Dave Quincy (sax) from If and John McCoy (bass) who later worked with Ian Gillan. Zzebra released an album on Polydor and a single, 'Zardoz', used to promote the film 'Zardoz' starring Sean Connery. Gus left Zzebra after a year and joined the Darryl Read Band in1979

After the failure of LA, Morgan Fisher and Maurice Bacon formed a duo called Morgan and released an album 'Nova Soils'. Morgan later joined Mott The Hoople and also worked with Queen. He played in short lived British Lions before moving to Japan in the 1980s, where he lives, studies meditation rarks as a prolific recording artist.

Love Affair's original vocalist Steve Ellis formed his own band Ellis in 1972. This subsequently Ellis Group, with Zoot Money on keyboards. They released the album  “Crest Of A Slump', which was produced by The Who's Roger Daltrey. In 1974 Stever joined the heavy rock outfit Widowmaker. They toured America supporting The Who without much success.

Steve Ellis signed as a solo artist with Arista in 1979 and recorded 'The Last Angry Man', an album destined to be shelved for some years. In 1980, he quit the music business and took up a job as a dockworker. Sadly he was involved in a serious accident when a forklift truck cut his feet and left him incapacitated. He spent the next eight years in and out of hospitals. Steve eventually learned to walk again and took up singing once more in 1991. In December 2001 he joined old friend Paul Weller on stage at a concert in Croydon for a heart-warming acoustic version of “Everlasting Love”.

In final twist to the saga “Love Affair” without Steve or Gus, but with three original members Morgan Fisher, Mo Bacon and Michael Jackson - were reunited in 1999. They appeared in a TV documentary and wrote a new song together called 'Love Affair By Love Affair', which encouraged them to reform the band once more in 2000.

by Chris Welch, London England, December 2007

Tracks
1. New Day (Mick Jackson) - 4:29
2. Walking Down The Road (August "Gus" Eadon, Rex Brayley) - 3:13
3. Ge's Whiz (Morgan Fisher, Rex Brayley) - 4:41
4. Gypsy (Morgan Fisher, August "Gus" Eadon) - 5:04
5. Goodbye Brother Farewell Friend (August "Gus" Eadon) - 3:39
6. Hurt By Love (August "Gus" Eadon) - 5:52
7. Bad Girl (August "Gus" Eadon, Rex Brayley) - 4:15
8. Nine To Five (August "Gus" Eadon) - 5:04
9. Thank You Bean (Morgan Fisher, Mick Jackson) - 3:44
10.Speak Of Peace, Sing Of Joy (August "Gus" Eadon, Mick Jackson) - 4:08
11.Baby I Know (Phillip Goodhand Tait, John Cokell) - 3:41
12.Accept Me For What I Am (Rex Brayley, Maurice Bacon, Mick Jackson, Steve Ellis, Morgan Fisher) - 3:25
13.Lincoln Country (Phillip Goodhand Tait) - 2:57
14.Sea Of Tranquility (Rex Brayley, Maurice Bacon, Mick Jackson, Steve Ellis, Morgan Fisher, August "Gus" Eadon) - 4:11
15.Brings My Whole World Tumbling Down (Mick Jackson) - 3:33
16.Wake Me I Am Dreaming (Lucio Batisti, Giulio Rapetti "Mogol", Tommy Scott) - 3:14
17.That's My Home (August "Gus" Eadon, Rex Brayley) - 3:20
18.Help (Get Me Some Help) (Nelly Byl, Daniel Vangrade) - 3:24
19.Long Way Home (August "Gus" Eadon, Rex Brayley) - 3:22
20.Io Senza Te (Daniele Pace, Buzz Carson, Mac Gayden) - 3:55

The Love Affair
*Rex Brayley - Guitar (1967-71)
*Maurice Bacon - Drums (1967-71)
*Mick Jackson - Bass (1967-71)
*Steve Ellis - Vocals (1967-70)
*Lynton Guest - Keyboards (1967-68)
*Morgan Fisher - Keyboards (1968-71)
*August "Gus" Eadon - Flute (1970)

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Garrett Lund - Almost Grown (1975 us, excellent west coast psycedelia, 2001 release)

Since over 25 years the Garrett Lund album is one of the most legendary West Coast pieces for collectors, truly a rare one! Originally recorded in 1975 at AM studios this is one of the finest productions for this genre. It amazingly reflects the blend of the early San Francisco groups such as, Tripsicord Music Box, Quick Silver, Kak O Kala etc, emotional singing and songwriting combined with great arrangements it reaches a unique feeling, cosmic and free! The cover artwork by Garrett himself rounds off this artistic statement perfectly. In the early ‘70’s he was singer in the L.A. group “The Caretakers”. 

This reissue is from the original mastertapes and contains 5 unreleased bonus tracks (acoustic free-jam outtakes from a never made second album. Garrett Lund was and still is a mysterious person. From what is known, he was born in the early ‘50’s. His father deserted Garrett and his mother -before he was born- and in his teens his beloved mother died. Garrett’s audition and acceptance as a member of The Caretakers, was a step up from his first local band to evolved into “Trane”, and became an instant success, playing the southwest of the US.  Trane appeared at numerous rock festivals and large clubs, opening for Led Zeppelin, Cream, Eric Burdon & The Animals, Jefferson Airplane and The Who. Almost immediately Trane was headlining their own –sold out- shows. What happened then is unclear, except that Garrett began a solo career and three years after Trane completed “Almost Grown” which was promptly rejected by 22 record labels. 

Convinced that the album could and should be an artistic and commercial success, Garrett’s manager/producer, along with friends and family, set out to independently release “almost Grown” with the help of record promoter, John Holcomb, succeeded in achieving rotation on nine radio stations and selling 2.000 units in less than two weeks. Armed with the independently released success, the record companies were once again given the chance to sign Garrett and once again they passed. Since then, there’s virtually no information on “Almost Grown” or Garrett Lund until 2001.

World In Sound 2001

Tracks

1. The Only Turnaround - 4:49

2. Serene - 3:37

3. Silver Sails - 7:16

4. One More Reason (Garrett Lund, Jimmy Jerviss) - 4:20

5. Think Of The Children - 4:31

6. Country Livin' (Bob Adkins, Garrett Lund) - 2:53

7. Stop The World - 4:43

8. (It's All Over Now) Baby Blue (Bob Dylan) - 5:47

9. Serene - 3:47 

10.Never Gonna Take It Slow - 1:24

11.Over And Under - 4:05

12.Reflections On Earth - 2:08

13.Bonny - 2:36

All songs by Garrett Lund except where indicated

Musicians

*Garrett Lund - Vocals

*Jimmy Jerviss - Guitar

*David Lauser - Drums Percussion

*Donnie Ferro - Bass

*Glen Ross Cambell - Guitar

*Pete Thompson - Saxophone

*Marion McCrary - Trumpet

*Hank Quinn - Congas

*Bill Overturf - Acoustic Guitar

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rep>>> The Deirdre Wilson Tabac - The Deirdre Wilson Tabac (1969 us, beautiful funky rocking soul with jazz blends, 2011 edition)

In April 1969 Billboard announced that RCA had signed a 'progressive blues-rock band called The Deirdre Wilson Tabac This was a misleading description of the group, who in fact played a funky brand of jazzy pop, akin to the Rotary Connection. From Philadelphia, they were in fact a trio discovered, managed and produced by Sonny Casella, who'd earlier managed garage band The Magic Mushrooms. 

The Tabac featured Deirdre Wilson. Stu Freeman (formerly of The Magic Mushrooms) and Barbara Payne (formerly with the James Brown Revue), backed by session players including jazz guitarist Chuck Anderson (who played the solos), bassist Hugh McDonald (currently with Bon Jovi) and keyboardist Roy Bittan (who went on to be a long-term Bruce Springsteen sideman). The Tabac's first single coupled two fine Casella compositions, Other Side Of This Life and Look In My Face. 

Billboard wrote on April 26 that a driving funky blues beat backs a powerhouse vocal workout that is loaded with top 40. underground and sales potential. Good Sound. The disc picked enough airplay to merit an album, which duly appeared early the following year, but received barely any press. 

Sales where low and the trio didn’t last long, though in May 1971 Casella launched a 45 in Canada’s Dafodil label credited to Tabac, Pairing Turn Around” and “Children Behave” which unfortunately is not included (rather because of some technical oversight I presume).

Tracks
1. The Other Side of Life - 3:00
2. (Sittin' On) the Dock of the Bay (Otis Redding, Steve Cropper) - 2:51
3. Let's All Join Together - 2:38
4. Get Back (John Lennon, Paul McCartney) - 2:26
5. Angel Baby - 2:51
6. The Last Thing On His Mind - 3:05
7. I Can't Keep From Cryin' Sometimes (Al Kooper) - 3:22
8. Look in My Face - 2:57
9. Magic One - 3:02
10.I Got You - 3:03
11.Turn Around - 0:26
All song by Sonny Casella except where indicated
Track 11 is incomplete.

Musicians
*Barbara - Vocals
*Chuck Anderson - Jazz Guitar
*Steve Rundel - Blues Guitar
*Huey McDonald - Bass
*Sony Casella - Drums, Vocals
*Stu Freeman - Keyboard, Vocals
*Mike Natale - Trumpet
*Gary Miller - Trumpet
*Vince Trompeta - Sax
*Peter Cioschi - Bass Trombone

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Thundertree - Thundertree (1970 us, magnificent groovy psych prog rock, 2013 korean rare bonus tracks remaster)

The Good Idea , a Christian Rock influenced band, was formed in St. Paul, MN in the late '60s. Original members included John Miesen on electric piano and organ and vocals (Emulating the late Ray Manzarek, John played bass lines with one hand or via foot pedals.), David Linder on guitar and vocals and Bob Blank, lead vocalist and saxophone. In need of a drummer/vocalist, they placed an ad in a local publication. After passing an audition, Rick LiaBraaten of Minneapolis joined The Good Idea. Rick had recently been a member of The Other Guys and The Transgressors with long time friend Billy Hallquist, who signed on to roadie and run a modest light show designed and built by John Miesen.

The Good Idea played the local and regional club circuit, performing covers of popular artists of the day including; The Beatles, The Doors, Cream, Jimi Hendrix, The Hollies ..... In addition, they wrote and produced a single containing original material ("Patterns in Logic"/"Inside Outside"). The songs were recorded in Chicago at the legendary Checker/Chess/Cadet Studios with engineer Ron Malo. While playing in the band and working as a hospital orderly, John also attended Hamline University in St. Paul. As a project for his Composition course, he began to compose music for a long form piece. Influenced by his association with the Church, John chose the Christmas Story as his theme. Bob Blank contributed lyrics and melodies while David and Rick offered their unique perspectives to the final result. Recording took place over a period of several weeks at UA Studios in Minneapolis with Bob Schultz at the controls. It was given the title "12/25".

"12/25" was performed live only once or twice. Its individual movements did not translate particularly well as stand alone pop songs ala "Pinball Wizard" or "I'm Free" from "Tommy". Nonetheless, "12/25" was an extremely ambitious and well executed project deserving of the recognition it has earned. Shortly after completion of the project, Linder decided to quit music in order to concentrate on his College career at The University of Minnesota. Billy Hallquist stepped in to his position and assumed guitar and vocal duties. Soon, however, Blank elected not to continue and Good Idea came to an end.

Liner Notes

Tracks

1. Head Embers - 3:31

2. At the Top of the Stairs - 3:24

3. Summertime Children (John Meisen) - 4:18

4. In the Morning - 2:45

5. Dusty Road - 4:10

6. Alone I Am - 2:52

7. Softly- 3:31

8. I Travel Alone - 3:23

9. Not Well Liked - 1:52

10.With a Tailored Image - 1:59

11.The Sun Is Shinin' for Me - 3:10

12.16 Tons - 4:47

13.Pepper Palace - 5:19

All Music by Bill Hallquist, Dervin Wallin, Rick LiaBraaten, Terry Tilley, John Meisen except track #3

Songs 1-5 Lyrics by John Meisen

Songs 6-11 Lyrics by Bob Blank

Thundertree

*Bill Hallquist - Vocals, Guitar

*Rick LiaBraaten - Drums

*John Meisen - Keyboards

*Terry Tilley - Bass

*Dervin Wallin - Vocals

*David Linder - Guitar, Vocals (Tracks 6-11)

*Bob Blank - Vocals (Tracks 6-11)

*Steve Grams - Bass (Track 13)

*Glen Olson - Drums (Track 13) 

Related Act
1972-73  Billy Hallquist - Persephone (2009 korean remaster)

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Darius - Darius II (1967-71 us, beautiful bluesy psych acid folk, 2002 release)

Second unreleased Darius album - it continues the story of the famous Chartmaker record. On the electric tunes Darius is again backed by the legendary “Goldenrod“ guys, and several other interesting LA guest musicians! This album includes Darius´ only 45 rpm (Hello Stranger/ I Don´t Mind) and cuts from acetates to become a 15 track collection of sunny psychedelic Westcoast emotions – ranging from beautiful folk over to 2 min. fuzz Rock´n´Roll tunes, psychedelic jams and perfectly arranged orchestrated stuff.

Tracks

1. Don't You Get The Feeling (Part 1) - 2:33

2. New Start - 1:45

3. I Don't Mind - 2:26

4. Summer Is Over - 2:36

5. Soul Proud - 4:44

6. 44th Floor (Bobby Jameson) - 3:39

7. Beauty - 2:05

8. I Just Don't Understand - 3:01

9. No One Like You - 2:53

10.Hello Stranger (Barbara Lewis) - 2:54

11.Best Girl - 2:11

12.For Now I Love You - 2:41

13.Warm - 2:43

14.Quiet Morning - 3:13

15.Don't You Get The Feeling (Part 2) - 7:06

All songs written by Robert Joseph Ott "Darius" except where stated

Musicians

*Robert Joseph Ott "Darius" - Vocals, Guitar

*Jerry Scheff - Bass 

*Joe Osbourne - Bass

*Ed Green - Drums 

*Toxey French - Drums 

*Ben Benay - Guitar

*John Rhys - Guitar 

*Mike Deasy - Guitar

*Michael Henderson - Horn 

*Roy Catron - Horn 

*Ollie Mitchell - Horn  

*Larry Knectel - Horn 

*Armand Kaproff - Strings 

*Bill Krudsch - Strings 

*Bobby Bruce - Strings 

*Harold Dickrow - Strings 

*Israel Baker - Strings 

*Jesse Ehrlich - Strings 

*Leonard Malarsky - Strings 

*Nathan Gershman - Strings 

*Ray Kelley - Strings 

*Sid Sharp - Strings 

*Tibor Zelig - Strings

1969  Darius - Darius (2001 release)  

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Spiny Normen - Spiny Normen (1978-79 us, robust jagged prog acid rock, 2018 release)

Incredible mid-70’s Houston hard rock, progressive, psychedelic rock band (yes, all that and more) that featured mellotron, vox jaguar, crunchy, heavy guitars, flute with echo effects, and lots more. A totally lost relic this album is, recorded at the community college and never released. This band has a very English, dark, mysterious and proggy but very acid drenched feeling to it.

Circa 1976, Gerry and I would skip class, smoke whatever scrap of contraband we could scrape together and meet in the high school auditorium where there was a piano and bang out crunchy rhythms…. At home I shoved a mic into the family upright piano and overdrove a cheap recorder and home made echo-plex to get an impressive cacophony. Gerry was playing guitar, listening to Alice Cooper, hair down to his back and about the only Mexican American in a white bread school. He was cool! So when he said one day, “Hey man we should jam some time!”… I was stoked. We did, man it was fun! I was soon on the look out for a keyboard to become legit with. I found the already ancient Vox Jaguar in the Houston paper that had belonged to Fever Tree, one of the original psychedelic bands of the late 60s. I didn’t know how famous they were at the time but I bought it for $160 and a Kustom blue sparkle vinyl amp with a speaker that I blew out just right, that made the most beautiful distortion, accompanied by a beloved phase shifter.

We began torturing our parents in various suburb garages and bedrooms after adding Norman Davis on drums and Steve Koch on bass. Back then it was a Black Sabbath sounding, blues based crunch. Songs like Carry Your Water and Space Age Flyer were early comps.

We made a 4-track recording in a local studio around then that our drummer didn’t show up to the session for. All of us being Monty python fans, and the Norman-no-show gave us the name Spiny Normen (with an E) which two more bands have since taken.

Over the next three years we began to experiment, waaaay off into the beaten path, spending months penning intense, bizarre, surreal and mind affecting pieces influenced by King Crimson, Pink Floyd, film soundtracks, Vandergraaf Generator, and the like along with some bad bad acid trips on my part. I was collecting keyboards …a melotron (hell yes!) a single key play moog. Gerry was adding echo’s, early guitar synth and fuck tons of pedals. I learned the flute. New bass player Bruce Salmon and a try at another vocalist Bob Riley and various drummers my favorite being Robert Winters were in and out. In we went with a hired stand up bass player and a little Gerry Diaz engineering knowledge to the Alvin community college 8 track recording studio and just played like psychedelic Mozart’s. Timpani, live effects, sound effect records, backward echo, violin bow on guitar and plenty of echo. Gerry and I on vocals now. What came out was still, to this day, in my humble opinion, some very complex, untouched territory, holy-what-the? stuff. We were all about 19.

It didn’t last long and we were way behind and way ahead of our time at that time. I’m so ffffn thrilled though at 54 to see what this world of open-ended listeners will think of Spiny Normen now. The 19 year old Steve is getting his dream fulfilled. Gerry and I still experiment here and again with guitar and theremin in an effort called Psylobison. Just as touched, but its not going to give you such bad dreams.

by Steve Brudniak, September 2015 

Tracks

1. Arrowhead - 3:12

2. Wrecko Wild Man Ride - 4:50

3. Carry Your Water - 5:34

4. The Monkeyweasel - 6:15

5. To Meet The Mad Hatter - 6:59

6. The Bell Park Loon - 3:57

7. In The Darkness Of Night - 3:39

8. The Sound Of Younger Times - 8:04

Lyrics by Steve Brudniak, Music by Gerry Diaz, Steve Brudniak

Spiny Normen

*Gerry Diaz - Bass, Vocals, Guitar, Synthesizer

*Steve Brudniak - Mellotron, Vocals, Timpani, Keyboards, Percussion, Flute

With

*Terry Farley - Percussion (Tracks 1,3)

*Robert Winters - Percussion (Tracks 2,8)

*Kirk Ayton - Guitar Synthesizer, Guitar (Track 5)

*Randall "Rantone" Haake - Double Bass (Track 8)

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rep>>> Roger Morris - First Album (1972 us, amazing country folk, slight rock, 2008 korean remaster with extra tracks)

Roger Morris’ First Album, released by Emi/Regal Zonophone in 1972, stakes a claim as one of the most American sounding British-folk albums of the seventies. Along with the painfully obscure solo album by Ernie Graham, First Album is one of a handful of rustic singer-songwriter lps of the era that landed unjustly under the radar. 

Owing much to the back-to-the-roots sound and vibe of The Band, Bobby Charles, and Hungry Chuck, and falling somewhere in between the British folk of the late 60s, the British country-rock of the early 70s, and the pub rock renaissance that would follow several years later, this album features contributions from a host of talented British musicians, including: the popular De Lisle Harper; Glen Campbell of Juicy Lucy and The Misunderstood; Family’s John Weider; Rod Coombes of Strawbs and later, Stealer’s Wheel; Chris Mercer; Terry Stannard of Kokomo; and Bruce Rowlands of the Greaseband. Obviously, the playing on this album is top notch. Furthermore, Morris comes across as a surprisingly accomplished songwriter.

On album opener “Taken for Granted” Morris mourns the loss of past loves to the tune of a folky country-rock number that calls to mind the early work of Help Yourself, as well as Ian Matthews. “Golightly’s Almanac” has a funky Bearsville ragtime feel, complete with a Tuba holding down the low end and a catchy horn part, sounding very similar to The Band’s “Rag Mama Rag” or Hungry Chuck’s “Hats Off America.” Morris’ vocals, which can sometimes be hit or miss, really excel on “Showdown”, one of the standout tracks of the set.  “Northern Star” features some tasty pedal steel and fiddle riffing courtesy of talented multi-instrumentalist John Weider, while “Livin’ On Memories” sounds similar to “Orange Juice Blues” off of The Basement Tapes, with Morris taking a cue from Richard Manuel’s vocal phrasing.

Morris’ account of one man’s experience in the years after the Civil War ,“All My Riches,” is his equivalent to The Band’s epic “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.” Morris’ tune, while not a total failure, never comes close to reaching the heights of The Band’s legendary song. If there’s any complaint to be made about First Album, it would be that Morris’ influences are worn right on his sleeves. However, this was in fact his first album, so you’ve gotta give the guy a break for letting his influences show a little bit.

Needless to say, First Album is essential listening for fans of the rustic Americana The Band perfected on their first three records, as well as fans of Silver Pistol era Brinsley Schwarz, early McGuiness Flint and Help Yourself, and Matthews Southern Comfort. Simply one of the best obscure British folk/Americana flavored singer-songwriter lps of the era, this one is worth tracking down. 

Although this, his first lp, was virtually ignored upon its initial release, Roger would later find his audience when he went on to achieve international recognition as the guitarist in The Psychedelic Furs. In 2009 Bella Terra Presents released a tastefully remastered limited edition cd reissue featuring four previously unreleased bonus tracks that were recorded just a year after First Album, as well the original album artwork and a lyric sheet insert.

by D.A. Glasebrook

Tracks
1. Taken For Granted - 2:59
2. The Vigil -  4:10
3. Golightly's Almanac - 3:11
4. Showdown - 3:11
5. All My Riches - 3:14
6. The Trail Of Tears - 3:08
7. Northern Star - 3:13
8. Livin' On Memories - 2:43
9. Poor Lucy - 4:53
10.First Snow - 2:42
11.Let The Four Winds Blow - 3:58
12.Idaho -  4:39
13.Mississippi Story - 4:10
14.Down The Meadow - 3:27
15.The Number I Need - 3:11
16.Copenhagen Moon - 4:15
Words and Music by Roger Morris

Musicians
*Roger Morris - Piano, Guitars, Vocals
*Lisle Harper - Bass
*Bruce Rowlands, Terry Stannard, Rod Coombes - Drums
*Tommy Eyre - Piano, Organ, Piano Accordion
*Keith West - Guitar, Vocal Harmonies
*Glen Campbell - Pedal Steel Guitar
*Johnny Almond, Chris Mercer - Saxes
*John Weider - Guitar, Fiddle
*John Tuck - Vocal Harmonies

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rep>>> Swegas - Beyond The Ox (1970 uk, astonishing jazz prog brass rock, 2009 digi pak issue)

Beyond The Ox was the second Swegas album and again shows that Nick, with tracks like Into The Ox and Said But Never Heard, to his credit as a writer and arranger, was guiding the band in the right direction. John Macnicol's playing is a welcome addition to the band's sound and Billy Hogan's tight drumming has knitted the band together in a manner that wasn't quite achieved on Child Of Light.

Things started to go wrong in mid 1971. The band bus (a blue transit) suffered a collision in Hamburg and it was a virtual write-off. The writing was on the wall and Barry Class and First Class Management pulled the plug when the band returned from Germany. Swegas played its final gig on 9th September 1971 at The Granary, Bristol.

Swegas

Tracks

1. Into The Ox (Nick Ronai) - 3:34

2. Said But Never Heard (Nick Ronai) - 4:56

3. Dawning (Keith Strachan, Nick Ronai) - 3:27

4. Morning (Keith Strachan, Nick Ronai) - 3:32

5. Evensong (Keith Strachan, Nick Ronai) - 2:50

6. Tomorrow (Keith Strachan, Nick Ronai) - 2:53

7. 1776 Fantasia (John Legg, Ron Shillingford, John MacNicol, Keith Strachan, Nick Ronai, Roy Truman, Billy Hogan, Stewart Wilkinson) - 6:49

8. Cold Unfriendly Way (Nick Ronai) - 6:14

9. Gravedigger (Nick Ronai) - 2:41

10.Beyond The Ox (Keith Strachan) - 6:22

11.Oxtail (Nick Ronai) - 0:22

All Lyrics by Les Stewart

Swegas

*John Legg - Alto, Baritone Saxophones, Flute

*Ron Shillingford - Tenor, Soprano Saxophones, Flute

*John MacNicol - Trumpet 

*Nick Ronai - Trombone 

*Keith Strachan - Keyboards, Vocals

*Roy Truman - Bass Guitar 

*Billy Hogan - Drums

*Stewart Wilkinson - Guitar, Vocals

1971  Swegas - Child Of Light (2007 edition)

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rep>>> Stone The Crows - Teenage Licks / Ontinuous Performance (1971/72 uk, sensational hard blues rock, 2015 double disc remaster and expanded)

Scottish blue rock act Stone the Crows were dealt more than a few blows as they attempted to record their third album in 1971. Bassist/vocalist James Dewar had jumped ship to be the sole vocalist in Robin Trower's band, and keyboard player John McGinnis had enough of life on the road and became a teacher. This left vocalist Maggie Bell, guitarist Leslie Harvey, and drummer Collen Allen to look for replacements, and in came bassist Steve Thompson and keyboard player Ronnie Leahy. With Maggie now as the main focal point from a vocal perspective, the sound of the band changed slightly, and things got even more dicey when Harvey was electrocuted on stage in 1972, before the band had even finished their soon to be fourth album. In would come ex-Thunderclap Newman (and soon to be Wings) guitarist Jimmy McCulloch. However, things were never the same, and the band split soon afterwards with four albums in just over two years. This 2CD Angel Air Records set collects the two long out of print albums Teenage Licks and Ontinuous Performance, and while they are perhaps not quite as impressive as the band's first two releases, they are still prime examples of fiery early '70s blues rock.

Teenage Licks features a host of hot tunes, including the smoldering rocker "Mr Wizard", the slow blues piece "Don't Think Twice" (featuring an emotional, Janis Joplin styled vocal from Bell), the heavy rocker "Big Jim Salter", and Harvey's sizzling hard rock licks on the raucous "Keep On Rollin' ". A blistering live "Let It Down", originally written by the first incarnation of the band, is an outstanding bonus surprise here. Leahy contributes more piano on Teenage Licks than we saw on the first two Stone the Crows albums, as opposed to McGinnis' reliance on the Hammond organ, so there is a bit of a different feel here to be sure. With Harvey's death, the band had not completely finished the Ontinuous Performance, so McCulloch put the finishing touches to the songs "Good Time Girl" and "Sunset Cowboy", but Les can still be heard on the crunchy blues rocker "On the Highway", an old school blues number "Penicillin Blues", the upbeat "Niagara", and the atmospheric "King Tut". None of these songs carry the power of anything from Stone the Crows or Ode to John Law, as the band seemed to be going through the motions by this point, delivering solid but unspectacular honky tonk blues. By 1972, it was all over, and Maggie Bell's solo career would begin.

Thanks must be made to Angel Air for making sure these recordings are once again available for fans to either discover for the first time or finally get a CD copy of their old vinyl versions. Though their first albums are the cream of the crop, there's still plenty of exciting blues rock here to enjoy, featuring the amazing skills of one Maggie Bell. 

by Pete Pardo

Tracks

Disc 1 Teenage Licks 1971

1. Big Jim Salter (Maggie Bell, Colin Allen, Leslie Harvey) - 4:38

2. Faces (Steve Thompson, Maggie Bell, Colin Allen, Ronnie Leahy, Leslie Harvey) - 4:41

3. Mr Wizard (Maggie Bell, Colin Allen, Leslie Harvey) - 5:27

4. Don't Think Twice (Bob Dylan) - 5:04

5. Keep On Rollin' (Maggie Bell, Colin Allen, Leslie Harvey) - 3:53

6. Ailen Mochree (Traditional) - 0:25

7. One Five Eight (John McGinnis) - 6:28

8. I May Be Right Imay Be Wrong (Maggie Bell, Colin Allen, Ronnie Leahy, Leslie Harvey) - 5:05

9. Seven Lakes (Steve Thompson, Maggie Bell, Colin Allen, Ronnie Leahy, Leslie Harvey) - 3:04

10.Let It Down (Maggie Bell, Colin Allen, John McGinnis, James Dewar) - 5:33

11.Going Down (Don Nix) - 5:05

Disc 2 Ontinuous Performance 1972
1. On The Highway (Ronnie Leahy, Leslie Harvey) - 5:36
2. One More Chance (Ronnie Leahy) - 6:13
3. Penicillin Blues (Sonny Terry, Brownie McGhee) - 5:34
4. King Tut (Maggie Bell, Leslie Harvey) - 2:40
5. Good Time Girl (Steve Thompson, Maggie Bell, Colin Allen, Ronnie Leahy) - 3:28
6. Niagra (Ronnie Leahy) - 9:15
7. Sunset Cowboy (Colin Allen, Ronnie Leahy) - 6:42
8. Good Time Girl (Steve Thompson, Maggie Bell, Colin Allen, Ronnie Leahy) - 3:10
9. Penicillin Blues (Sonny Terry, Brownie McGhee) - 5:27

Stone The Crows
*Steve Thompson - Bass, Vocals
*Colin Allen - Drums, Percussion
*Leslie Harvey - Guitar
*Maggie Bell - Vocals
*Ronnie Leahy - Organ, Piano
*Jimmy McCulloch - Guitar (Disc 2)
With
*Dundee Horns - Horn (Disc 1)
*Roger Ball - Horn (Disc 2)
*Malcolm Duncan - Horn (Disc 2)

1969-71  Stone The Crows - Stone The Crows / Ode To John Law (015 double disc bonus tracks set) 
1972  Stone The Crows - Live In Montreux
1975  Maggie Bell - Suicide Sal (2006 remaster)
1974  Maggie Bell - Queen Of The Night (2006 bonus tracks remaster) 

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rep>>> Strawberry Window - Strawberry Window (1967 us, awesome west coast garage psych, World In Sound 2009 issue)

Strawberry Window hailed from the San Francisco Bay Areas East Bay music scene in the mid 60’s and were truly one of the “early birds” and innovators who made their own distinct brand of Rock ‘n’ Roll. 

They played in a heavypsychedelic- garage style, sounding somewhat reminiscent of the Jefferson Airplane, (early) Mad River, Buffalo Springfield, Quicksilver Messenger Service and Frumious Bandersnatch. These previously unreleased recordings have survived for the last four decades in a box on a shelf in a band member’s closet. Meticulous care and detail has been taken to master these recordings with a fresh, open approach, while ensuring that the sound and integrity of the vintage songs remained intact. 

The amazing music of this guitar based quartet ranges from catchy electric folk tunes and “West Coast” garage rock to raw energetic acid jams lasting over 10 minutes. You’ll be impressed by the great stereo sound quality throughout their ten original cuts not to mention their freaky cover version of J D Loudermilk’s Tobacco Road. It’s an out right shame that this talented bunch were not signed to a record deal back then. 

Then again, that’s okay with us because it has allowed World In Sound the opportunity to proudly present for the first time ever, the music of and the history behind this talented group of songwriters and wild performers known as the Strawberry Window. The Strawberry Window CD and LP releases contains 65 minutes of intense but melodic performances and also comes with a 16 page color booklet that will take you on a trip back to the halcyon days of the Summer of Love. 

In 1968 they switched guitar players, added a girl singer and changed their name to the Dandelion Wine. They recorded several songs and also released a private pressing of a 4 song 7 inch EP. Truly a masterpiece!!!

World In Sound

Tracks

1. Her Eyes  (Steve Bloom, Jack Eskridge) - 3:25 

2. Wind Blowing Past Me (Jack Eskridge) - 5:11 

3. Poverty Hill (Fran Minkoff, Fred Hellerman) - 4:12

4. Steve's Thing (Marc Rich, Steve Wilson) - 10:07

5. Purple Orange (Steve Wilson, Andy Kennedy) - 2:42

6. You Jre Not The Only One (Steve Wilson, Andy Kennedy) - 3:54

7. Mercury (Marc Rich) - 3:48

8. Strawberry Jam (Jack Eskridge) - 13:40

9. Raindrops (Andy Kennedy, Steve Wilson) - 4:00

10.If I Say (Jack Eskridge, Steve Wilson)   3:4l

11.Tobacco Road (John D. Loudermilk) - 6:37

12.Her Eyes (Steve Bloom, Jack Eskridge) - 3:41

Strawberry Window
*Marc Rich - Guitar, Vocals
*Jack Eskridge – Guitar, Vocals
*Steve Wilson - Bass, Vocals
*Andy Kennedy - Drums, Vocals

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rep>>> Euphoria - Euphoria (1969 us, bright ethereal sunny folk, 2004 korean remaster)

Anyone who has ever seen Tom Pacheco perform knows that they have been in the presence of greatness, watching a singer/songwriter who is a master of his craft and who, if there were any justice in the world (even though we know such a commodity is in desperately short supply in the 21st Century), would be as well-known as Woody Guthrie or Bob Dylan.

Tom has lived the life of a troubadour since the mid-1960s, and has now made around 20 original albums which have been released on a variety of labels in the USA (his earliest recordings and several more recently) and Europe (mainly in the last 20 ears). Yet Tom is not - yet - a household name, and one cannot avoid thinking that there are parallels between this often brilliant and always engaging artist and another artist in a different field, the celebrated painter Vincent Van Gogh. 

The latter is now recognised s a genius, yet in his lifetime, he famously failed to sell a single painting. Tom's fate has not been quite so desperate. He has managed to sell small quantities of is amazing albums over the past 35 years, but never as many as his artistry deserved. 

Tom was born on 4th November 1946, in New Bedford, Massachusetts. His father, Tony Pacheco, was a jazz guitarist who played with Django Reinhardt as well as solo in clubs in Europe before returning to the US to raise a family and open a music store, where he also taught guitar.

Tom began playing guitar at the age of 10, studying both Flamenco and classical styles, and in 1965, as a 9 year old, released his first solo album, “Turn Away rom The Storm”, a collection of original folk songs he had written two or three years before. It was made for a small local label known as Witchgreen Records, and Tom thinks they probably only pressed 500 copies. He also notes that he now owns that album and could be leased to license it if anyone's interested. The Van Gogh comparisons continue: that solo album could soon be reissued, and now the Euphoria album.

Tom left Massachusetts to study at Hofstra niversity in New York City, where he formed a band called The Ragamuffins, which supported Jimi Hendrix in a number of occasions and also released two singles on Seville and London Records. These singles are extremely obscure; no doubt, if Tom had become a superstar, they would have been reissued on many occasions, but as it is, hunting through oldies shops probably provides the only solution if anyone feels that owning them is important. 

In 1969 Tom joined forces with The Beckets which actually were Roger and Wendy Penney, they started their entertainment careers as actors, working with Boston's Theatre Company.  Using the stage name Roger and Wendy Beckett, by the mid-'60s the pair had turned their attentions to music, becoming fixtures on New York's Greenwich Village folk club scene.  By the time they released their 1967 debut collection, they'd followed the crowd into a more electrified folk-rock sound with Roger jammin' on electric autoharp, while Wendy had picked up electric bass. After splitting Euphoria the couple toured and released  records as Roger and Wendy and later -in mid seventies- as The Bermuda Triangle.

Back to Euphoria,  Tom recalls: 'Thirty years later, I listened to Eurphoria album and realized it was not as bad as I thought it was, considering the times. If it weren't for that album at that point in my life I might have quit playing music professionally and become an English teacher, something I had gone to University to study". 

Which explains why Tom's lyrics are so impressive. He could have been a great teacher... The sleeve picture of Euphoria is curious, to say the least. A very tall female standing with a male dwarf. Tom explained: "That was a picture of a relative of mine, who was dreadfully poor, but very attractive, and she married a rich dwarf who lived on an island in The Azores, and lived happily ever after with him. The female head has half of Sharon's face and half of Wendy Becket's and the dwarf has half Roger's face and half mine". 

Tom now has a band in Norway with whom he recorded 'The Long Walk', released by Playground Music Scandinavia, which is an album full of his songs, while Jim Welder produced and performed instrumental tracks on 

Tom's newest album, 'Year Of The Big Wind (Bare Bones III)', recorded at Moonhaw Studios in Woodstock and released by Frog's Claw Recordings.

by John Tobler, Washington, 2004

Tracks

1. There Is Now (Tom Pacheco) - 4:17
2. What a Day (Tom Pacheco) - 2:09
3. Seldom Seen Slim (Tom Pacheco) - 4:27
4. Sun and Shadow (Tom Pacheco) - 2:19
5. Sitting In a Rocking Chair  (Rowland Barter) - 3:35
6. Ride the Magic Carpet (Mark Barkan, Ritchie Adams) - 2:51
7. You Must Forget (Tom Pacheco) - 3:36
8. Tucson (Tom Pacheco) - 3:02
9. Calm Down (Tom Pacheco) - 2:23
10.Sleep (Tom Pacheco) - 2:25
11.Walkin' Through the City (Tom Pacheco) - 1:59

Euphoria
*Sharon Alexander - Percussion
*Tom Pacheco - Guitar
*Roger Penney (Roger Becket) - Vocals, Electric Autoharp, Keyboards
*Wendy Penney (Wendy Becket) - Vocals, Bass

Related Acts
1971  Pacheco And Alexander - Pacheco And Alexander (2001 Japan reissue)

1977  Bermuda Triangle (2007 edition)

1977  Bermuda Triangle - The Missing Tapes (2007 release)

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