Saturday, November 19, 2022

Blue Mink - Melting Pot (1969 uk, pleasant psych rock blue eyed soul, 2006 japan remaster)



One of the giants of British pop in the early '70s, Blue Mink was formed in fall 1969 by keyboard player Roger Coulam, around a nucleus of musicians based at London's Morgan Studios -- bassist Herbie Flowers, guitarist Allan Parker, and drummer Barry Morgan were also involved. Having already recorded a number of backing tracks, Coulam then approached soul singer Madeline Bell and former David & Jonathan star Roger Greenaway as vocalists; Bell accepted, Greenaway declined but recommended his songwriting partner (and fellow David & Jonathan-er) Roger Cook in his stead.

With this lineup, Cook and Greenaway's "Melting Pot" was released as Blue Mink's debut single, a plea for multi-racial harmony that reached number three in the U.K. that November. An album of the same title was released in the new year, alongside the single "Good Morning Freedom" -- for reasons unknown, the single did not originally appear on the LP. However, its swift rise into the U.K. Top Ten prompted a rethink, and subsequent pressings packed it on board. 
by Dave Thompson
Tracks
1. Melting Pot (Roger Greenaway, Roger Cook) - 3:54
2. Gidda Wadda Wobble (Alan Parker) - 3:50
3. Gimme Reggae (B. Fox) - 3:13
4. But Not Forever (Roger Coulam) - 3:02
5. Chopin Up Stix (Herbie Flowers, Roger Coulam) - 4:21
6. Can You Feel It Baby (Roger Greenaway, Roger Cook) - 4:32
7. Country Chic (Roger Coulam) - 4:33
8. Mary Jane (Herbie Flowers, Kenny Pickett) - 3:19
9. Over The Top (Roger Coulam) - 6:23
10.Good Morning Freedom (Roger Greenaway, Roger Cook, Albert Hammond, Michael Hazlewood) - 2:54
Bonus Track 10

Blue Mink
*Madeline Bell - Vocals 
*Roger Cook - Vocals 
*Roger Coulam - Piano, Organ 
*Herbie Flowers - Bass 
*Barry Morgan - Drums, Percussion 
*Alan Parker - Guitar

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