rep>>> The Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation - The Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation / Doctor Dunbar's Prescription (1968-69 uk, outstanding blues rock, 2006 two disc set remaster)

Of the numerous British blues-rock bands to spring up in the late '60s, the Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation was one of the better known, though solid reception on tours did not translate into heavy record sales. Musically, the group recalled John Mayall's Bluesbreakers during the 1966-1967 era that had produced that group's A Hard Road album, though with a somewhat more downbeat tone. The similarities were hardly coincidental, as the band's founder and leader, drummer Aynsley Dunbar, had been in the Bluesbreakers lineup that recorded the A Hard Road LP. Too, bassist Alex Dmochowski would go on to play with Mayall in the 1970s, and guitarist Jon Morshead was friendly with fellow axeman Peter Green (also in the Bluesbreakers' A Hard Road lineup), whom he had replaced in Shotgun Express. 

Though he was only 21 when he formed the Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation, the drummer had already played with several bands of note in both his native Liverpool and London. Stints in several Merseybeat groups had culminated in his joining the Mojos, and Dunbar played on a couple of singles by the group, though these were cut after their British chart hits. Shortly after leaving the Mojos, he did his stint with the Bluesbreakers, after which he played for a few months in the Jeff Beck Group, also appearing on their 1967 single "Tallyman"/"Rock My Plimsoul." Wanting to lead his own band, in mid-1967 he formed the Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation, joined by Morshead, who'd previously been in the Moments (with a pre-Small Faces Steve Marriott), Shotgun Express, and Johnny Kidd & the Pirates; singer/guitarist/keyboardist Victor Brox, who worked for a while with British blues godfather Alexis Korner; and bassist Keith Tillman. Shortly after forming, however, Tillman left to join John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, replaced by Dmochowski, who'd played in Neil Christian's Crusaders and Winston's Fumbs. 

On their self-titled debut album, the Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation flashed a British blues-rock approach that was rather similar to that of John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers circa 1967. That was unsurprising considering that leader and drummer Dunbar had played on the Bluesbreakers' 1967 A Hard Road album, and that bassist Alex Dmochowski would later play with Mayall himself. Although everyone in the Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation was a skilled player, the record ultimately comes off as rather second-division late-'60s British blues, though in a little heavier and darker a style than Mayall's. That's not to say it's mediocre, but the material (mostly original) is only average, and not quite up to the level of the musicians' instrumental proficiency. Too, Victor Brox isn't the greatest singer, though he's okay, and while Jon Morshead plays guitar well, his style sometimes seems quite influenced by Peter Green (listen especially to his work on the cover of Percy Mayfield's "Memory of Pain"). 

Additionally, some of the original material wasn't all that original; the work song-style "Watch 'N' Chain" certainly bears similarities to the tune that Donovan popularized under the title "Hey Gyp" (itself similar to a song that Lonnie Young, Ed Young, and Lonnie Young, Jr. had recorded under the title "Chevrolet" on Atlantic's 1960 Roots of the Blues LP of Alan Lomax field recordings [reissued in 1993 under the title Sounds of the South]). It's not a bad record overall, however, with the players getting a chance to take extended solos on the instrumentals "Sage of Sidney Street" and "Mutiny." 

The Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation's second album was much the same as their first, offering competent late-'60s British blues, given a slightly darker cast than was usual for the style via Victor Brox's somber vocals. Like their debut, it was dominated by original material, and as on its predecessor, the compositions were rather routine blues-rock numbers, though they benefited from arrangements by highly skilled players. 

The best of these tracks were the ones that utilized Brox's gloomy, almost gothic organ, if only because it made them stand out more among the company of the many similar bands recording in the prime of the British blues boom. Otherwise the main fare was straightforward blues-rock that was well played, but rather average and forgettable, the most distinguished ingredient being Dunbar's hard-hitting, swinging drums. If only because it has some original songs that were better than anything on the first album ("Fugitive," "Till Your Lovin' Makes Me Blue," and "Tuesday's Blues," the last of which has some songwriting and guitar work quite similar to Peter Green's late-'60s style in those departments), it's a slightly better listen, though not up to the standards of somewhat similar groups like Fleetwood Mac and John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers. 

by Richie Unterberger 

Tracks

Disc 1 The Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation 1968

1. Watch 'N' Chain (Aynsley Dunbar, Jon Morshead, Alex Dmochowski, Victor Brox) - 2:36

2. My Whiskey Head Woman (Aynsley Dunbar, Jon Morshead, Alex Dmochowski, Victor Brox) - 4:24 

3. Trouble No More (Jon Morshead, Alex Dmochowski, Victor Brox) - 2:56 

4. Double Lovin' (Jon Morshead, Victor Brox) - 3:52 

5. See See Baby (Ma Rainey) - 2:20 

6. Roamin' And Ramblin' (Victor Brox) - 3:00 

7. Sage Of Sidney Street (Aynsley Dunbar) - 4:57

8. Memory Of Pain (Percy Mayfield) - 6:06 

9. Mutiny (Aynsley Dunbar, Jon Morshead) - 7:25

Disc 2 Doctor Dunbar's Prescription 1969
1. Change Your Low Down Ways (Aynsley Dunbar, Jon Morshead, Victor Brox) - 2:23
2. Fugitive (Victor Brox) - 4:35
3. Till Your Lovin' Makes Me Blue (Victor Brox) - 4:57
4. Now That You've Lost Me (B.B. King) - 3:31
5. I Tried (Larry Davis, Don Robey, Joseph Scott) - 2:52
6. Call My Woman (Jon Morshead) - 3:07
7. Devil Drives (Victor Brox) - 2:46
8. Low Gear Man (Victor Brox) -  2:58
9. Tuesday's Blues (Victor Brox) - 3:37
10.Mean Old World (Walter "Little Walter" Jacobs) - 3:03

The Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation
*Victor Brox - Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards
*Jon Morshead - Guitar, Vocals
*Alex Dmochowski - Bass
*Aynsley Dunbar - Drums

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Neil Merryweather - Space Rangers (1974 canada, excellent blend of space glam prog rock)

Every now and then an obscure nugget from rock’s rich history will pop up on reissue that will pique your interest and curiosity, regardless of whether you know much, or anything, about the artist. Such is the case with ‘Space Rangers’, a 1974 album from Canadian maverick Neil Merryweather, a cult classic given a long overdue reissue this week. So, strap yourself in and prepare to explore Neil Merryweather & the Space Rangers’ weird and wonderful world of glam space prog…

In fact, it’s correct to add a healthy dose of hard rock and a smattering of funk into the mix too on this space-themed concept album with a cover like a poster for a fifties sci-fi horror film. The smattering of funk is most prevalent on a radical re-working of Donovan’s ‘Sunshine Superman’, so radical it renders it almost unrecognisable aside from the lyrics. Similar radical treatment is also given to an excellent cover of the Byrds’ ‘Eight Miles High’, which turns the psychedelia up to 11 on this version. ‘Neon Man’, ‘Escape’ and ‘High Altitude Hide’n’Seek’  take a powerful, grooving and heavy hard rock approach, whilst the likes of ‘Hollywood Blvd’, ‘King of Mars’, ‘Road To Hades’, the soulful ‘Step In The right Direction’ and the closing epic ‘Sole Survivor’ head more in a mellotron-soaked progressive direction, but still with a powerful punch.

There’s some T-Rex, some Bowie and definitely some Todd Rundgren in here. At times I can also hear a blueprint for what Big Elf went on to do decades later. It all adds up to a quite wonderful album, and a true gem if you’re prepared to dig deep enough.

‘Space Rangers’ is available on a limited run of coloured and black vinyl (with a bonus 7” of previously unreleased tracks), digipak CD, cassette and download. It’s also issued alongside the follow up to this album, ‘Kryptonite’, which was released the following year in 1975, but sadly wasn’t available for review here. On the strength of this golden nugget, that’s an album I will most certainly be seeking out too. If this kind of thing is your bag, so should you.

by Jim Rowland,  Apr 12, 2021

On March 29, 2021, Merryweather died in Las Vegas, Nevada, after a short illness

Tracks

1. Hollywood Blvd - 5:39

2. Step In The Right Direction - 3:43 

3. Eight Miles High (Gene Clark, Jim McGuinn, David Crosby) - 3:40 

4. King Of Mars - 3:35 

5. Neon Man - 4:05

6. Sunshine Superman (Donovan Leitch) - 3:45 

7. Road To Hades - 4:12 

8. High Altitude Hide N' Seek - 3:24 

9. Escape - 2:50

10.Sole Survivor - 8:14

All songs written by Neil Merryweather except where noted.

Musicians

*Neil Merryweather - Vocals, Bass, Guitar

*Michael "Jeep" Willis - Lead Guitar

*Edgemont (James Herndon) - Chamberlin, Synthesizer

*Timmy Mcgovern - Drums

1969  Merryweather

1969  Merryweather - Word Of Mouth (2019 korean remaster)
1970  Neil Merryweather, John Richardson And Robin Boers
1971  Neil Merryweather And Lynn Carey - Vaccum Cleaner

1975  Neil Merryweather - Kryptonite

1978  Neil Merryweather - Differences

Related Acts
1972  Heavy Cruiser - Heavy Cruiser

1973  Heavy Cruiser - Lucky Dog

1972-73  Mama Lion - Preserve Wildlife / Give It Everything I've Got (2010 digipak) 

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Triangle - Triangle II (1972 france, great prog rock, 2010 extra tracks remaster)

Two years have passed since the release of Triangle's first album in 1970 with a super hit at the key, "Maybe tomorrow", an unmissable and legendary success of the group which remains composed of Gérard Fournier known as "Papillon" (bass player and lead vocals), Jean-Pierre Prévotat (drums), Marius Lorenzini "Mimi" (guitar) and François Jeanneau (sax, keyboards), the multi-instrumentalist of the group.

The album is presented this time in a rock atmosphere more melodious than the with 9 new titles, all of which The texts are in French. Not easy to Triangle and their record label to create a second opus when we sold the still wondering what title locomotive will be able to promote the new album? The bet was met! The first 45 rpm record "Viens avec nous", from the album, takes a path comparable to "Maybe Tomorrow".

Even if the sales score doesn't reach its predecessor, this single will allow the public to to continue to love and to make people discover the Quartet. Among the 9 new compositions, These include the superb song "Litanies", certainly the prettiest melody of the band's career and "J'ai vu" which masterfully opens this album and which became the second single to which we added on the B side the last track "La pâte grise".

Although excellent this album, will not have the popular reception of "Peut-être demain" or of "Come with us". This release offers 7 other bonus tracks that are "The Old Man's Tales" and "The brumes de Chatou" (1971), single that followed "Maybe tomorrow" and which precedes "Come with us". Let us nevertheless point out a very great success for "Les brumes de Chatou", one of the best titles in the repertoire of Triangle. Then "L'arbre de juin" and "A cor and screaming" were also marketed in 1972 behind the single "J'ai vu" while "Confusion", which is not among the 9 tracks of the album, is engraved on the B-side of "Viens with us". Finally, 2 titles from 1971, the Spanish versions of "Come with us" and "The confusion".

In 1973, Gérard Fournier left the band for a solo career and recorded in 1974. A very beautiful album whose titles are plume de Boris Bergman. Triangle recorded a last opus in 1973, the group going from 4 to 5 musicians. This second album presented under a cover opening, with a rather creative assembly for period, remains musically the best of the career of the group.

Liner Notes

Tracks

1. J'ai Vu - 3:31

2. Recreation - 5:53

3. Viens Avec Nous - 3:01

4. Litanies - 5:08

5. Cette Longue Nuit - 0:58

6. Le Matin Du Premier Jour - 3:52

7. La Peine Capitale - 3:14

8. Le Retour - 3:00

9. La Pate Grise - 3:56

10.Les Brumes De Chatou - 5:15

11.Les Contes Du Vieil Homme - 4:24

12.La Confusion - 4:02

13.L'Arbre De Juin - 3:15

14.A Cor Et A Cri - 2:48

15.Con Nosotros - 3:09

16.La Confusion - 3:58

All compositions by Papillon" Gérard Fournier, Jean-Pierre Prevotat, François Jeanneau, Marius "Mimi" Lorenzini 

Track 16 Lyrics by A. Betgrano

Triangle

*"Papillon" Gérard Fournier - Bass, Vocals

*Jean-Pierre Prevotat - Drums

*François Jeanneau - Saxophone, Keyboards

*Marius "Mimi" Lorenzini - Guitar

With

*Gilbert Roussel - Vocals (Track 1)

*Jean-Michel Jarre - Synthesizer (Tracks 2,6)

*Aldo Romano - Drums (Track 6)

*François Cahen - Piano (Track 6)

*George Locatelli - Guitar  (Track 6)

*Henri Texier - Bass (Track 6)

1969-70  Triangle - Triangle (2010 remaster & expanded)  

1969-74  Triangle - Anthologie (2003 digi pak release)   

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rep>>> Power Of Zeus - The Gospel According To Zeus (1970 us, detroit based, pioneer heavy psych rock band)

Power of Zeus was formed in 1968 by Detroit vocalist / guitarist Joe Periano shortly after his release from the Marine Corps. Joe was joined by bassist/vocalist Bill Jones, drummer Bob Michalski & Hammond organist Dennie Webber. Initially going by the name of Gangrene, the Cream/Zeppelin/Sabbath inspired heavy rock quartet became the unofficial house band at the Wooden Nickel club, where they were eventually spotted by a local manager.

Motown psyche-oriented subsidiary Rare Earth signed the band on the condition they find a new name. Having decided upon Power of Zeus they began work on what would become their sole release, 1970's The Gospel According to Zeus LP. The relationship between band and label was strained, with the former claiming that the latter had no experience of recording a heavy rock act, and that the Motown producers had failed to nail their crunchier live sound on tape.

Certainly the LP is pretty far removed from the distorto-trash rock of fellow Detroit rockers The MC5 and The Stooges, but what it lacks in grime it makes up for in Super Heavy Funkiness - hammond, bass & drums are to the fore, with production as fat & full as you would expect from the Motown studios. The LP was pretty much a flop at the time, but has since become a highly sought after item, attaining genuine legendary status amongst record collectors - especially those of a hip-hop / breaks orientation, for whom the incredible 'The Sorcerer of Isis (Ritual Of The Mole)' drum & bass break is like manna from Zeus himself. The definition of The Super Heavy Psychedelic Funk Rock Sound.

Tracks
1. It Couldn't Be Me (Jones, Weber) - 3:52
2. In the Night (Periano) - 3:53
3. Green Grass & Clover (Jones) - 3:08
4. I Lost My Love (Periano) - 2:08
5. The Death Trip (Periano) - 7:37
6. No Time (Robinson) - 3:26
7. Uncertain Destination (Jones, Periano) - 4:50
8. Realization (Jones) - 2:47
9. Hard Working Man (Michalski) - 2:12
10.The Sorcerer of Isis (The Ritual Of The Mole) (Jones, Michalski, Periano) - 5:43

Power Of Zeus
*Joe Periano - Vocals, Guitar
*Bill Jones - Bass, Vocals
*Bob Michalski - Drums, Backing Vocals
*Dennie Webber - Hammond Organ, Harpsichord, Piano

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rep>>> Freeman Sound - Heavy Trip (1970 us, fantastic heavy psych with experimental mood, 2005 release)

Motherheast Ohio USA, is a place where the waves of media influence from the east and the west coasts seem to come crashing in and collide, the result being a splashing forth of some unique talent individuals.

It was there, in 1969 midway between the towns of Warren and Cortland, that five determined young musicians, Ray Escott - Lead Vocals, LJ Fortier - Drums, John Harrow - Lead Guitar, Vocals, "Buster" McCarthy - Bass, Vocals, and Kurt Sunderman - Rhythm Guitar, Vocals, started getting together in the damp basement of LJ's parents home on Sunday mornings in aa effort to try to carry on with their dreams of being in a successful Rock band.

Having won the Starshine Productions' "Battle of the Bands" in 1970, the five-member Freeman Sound was established as the most popular of several bands (including Morly Grey), that had records released on the Starshine label. This special collection of original songs and sounds is an exciting bit of rock history that documents some of the charm, wit and depth of talent that made Freeman Sound the special local phenomenon they were. 

This release includes 12 great, quality tracks with bio and photos. You'll get stoned on some mind-bending vocals backed by instrumentation that includes some very intense, heavy fuzz and wah pedal guitar sounds, solid drums and a screaming organ, with flashes of famous British groups. Prepare to get off on cuts like the 17 minute "Heavy Trip #70", the Hendrix-like "Tomorrow Is Plastic" and what we would venture to say is the heaviest version of Merle Travis' "16 Tons" ever recorded! This band broke up before they were able to make the most of their popularity. 

L.J. Fortier's - page

Tracks
1. Tomorrow Is Plastic - 4:13
2. Heavy Trip #70 - 17:25
3. All I Need - 4:38
4. If I Could Only - 5:17
5. Wanting To Be Free (John Harrow) - 3:57
6. All Roads Lead Home - 5:37
7. 16 Tons (M. Travis) - 3:50
8. Singing My Own Song - 3:20
9. On The Way - 3:34
10.Get It While You Can - 2:24
11.I Just Can't Stop Lovin' You Babe - 3:52
12.Christmas Card - 2:24
All songs by L.J. Fortier except where indicated.

Freeman Sound
*Ray Escott - Lead Vocals
*L.J. Fortier - Drums
*John Harrow - Lead Guitar, Vocals
*"Buster" McCarthy - Bass, Vocals
*Kurt Sunderman - Rhythm Guitar, Vocals

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rep>>> Savage Grace - The Complete Savage Grace (1970-71 us, great hard psych rock, double disc edition)

The band that called itself Savage Grace was biting off a lot, even by heightened late 60's standards. As their name suggests, they aimed to contain all the extremes of that heady era. Tempered by the famously discerning and demanding Michigan audiences of the time, the group's live performances made full use of the  high energy principles that distinguished the Detroit scene.  

But that was only a part of of Savage Grace’s sublime design. The core trio that began playing bars on the Motor City's east side as the Scarlet Letter couldn't have been less like your customary neighbourhood rock band. Guitarist/vocalist Ron Koss was a streetwise kid who’d cut his teeth playing  with local r&b heavyweights the Midnighters, Marv Johnson and Wilson Pickett. Keyboard maestro  John Seanor was the product of classical education, while drummer Larry Zack aspired to Jazz. 

When they added precipices 18 year old bassist/vocalist Al Jacquez to complete the quartet  rechristened Savage, his unschooled hard rock energy was the ideal complement to this perfectly imperfect union of styles. The collective sound forged by these four individuals was not simply a composite. It was a fluid changing thing, as each musician’s voice challenged for a place in the stylistic mix. The resulting tension was not always confined to the art, but it produced a music that, although meticulously composed, sounded like it was being redefined each time it was played. 

Commercially speaking of course Savage Grace left themselves an awful lot of cracks to fall though, and fall they did after only two albums. Luckily we have the safety net of history, from which nothing of merit escapes. And now that dreams seem at a premium, it becomes increasingly important to remember a time when people didn't worry about living large, they dreamed large, and the rest followed.

by Ben Edmonds 

Tracks

Disc 1

1. Come On Down (Ron Koss) - 4:22

2. Lady Rain (John  Seanor) - 5:10

3. Dear Lenore (Ron Koss) - 5:27

4. All Along The Watchtower (Bob Dylan) - 5:46

5. Hymn To Freedom (Oscar Peterson, H. Hamilton) - 5:24

6. 1984 (Ron Koss, John  Seanor) - 3:22

7. Night Of The Hunter (Ron Koss) - 4:34

8. Turn Your Head (Ron Koss) - 5:57

9. Ivy (Ron Koss) - 4:08

Disc 2
1. Mother's Son (John Seanor) - 3:48
2. Tinboy (John  Seanor) - 3:39
3. Sandscript (Al Jacquez, Jeff Jones) - 3:19
4. Roll River Roll (Ron Koss, John Seanor) - 1:59
5. Yonder (Ron Koss) - 5:10
6. She's A Woman (Ron Koss) - 4:05
7. Macon, Georgia (John Seanor, Ron Koss) - 3:54
8. Blindman (John Seanor, Ron Koss) - 3:55
9. She Comes And Goes (Ron Koss, John Seanor) - 3:12
10. E'lana (John Seanor) - 1:46
11. Lady Of The Mountain (John Seanor) - 4:43

Savage Grace
*John Seanor - Piano, Harpsichord
*Larry Zack - Drums, Percussion
*Al Jacquez - Lead Vocals, Bass
*Ron Koss - Lead Vocals, Guitar

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rep>>> Various Artists - Let’s Go Down And Blow Our Minds • The British Psychedelic Sounds (1967 uk, impressive psych mod freak beat, 2016 three disc box set)

Top-notch psychedelic box set capturing the far out sound of 1967, focussing mainly on classic underground bands, such as The Pretty Things, Human Instinct, Tintern Abbey and Fleur De Lys, who blend with some who became household names later, such as David Bowie and Marc Bolan.

The psychedelic road has always taken many twists and turns, and this was just as true in 1967 as it is now. The art of a good psychedelic box set is balance and variety, and Cherry Red have definitely succeeded in both, as they did with their Love Poetry and Revolution box set, a couple of years ago. Every shade is included here.

Although Let’s Go Down deals mainly with the underground sounds of 1967, a few familiar-to-most names pop up, such as The Move (Vote For me), The Moody Blues (Life’s Not Life) and Dave Davies from The Kinks (Funny Face), all with lesser-known songs than the ones that made them superstars. And amongst the more underground acts, you can see how some of the featured selections echo their more famous counterparts. Take Turquoise, here under an alias, The Brood, with Village Green. It’s a different Village Green to the song by The Kinks, but it’s along the same lines. Bandwagon jumpers? Or did they record theirs first? Who cares: just enjoy the music!

And in a similar way, it’s interesting to see that during this time of high creativity and experimentation, certain records like say Rain by The Beatles or A Whiter Shade of Pale by Procul Harum set blueprints, forming their own sub-genres within the psychedelic spectrum. Check out The Mirage: Lazy Man and Rupert’s People: Reflections of Charlie Brown, respectively. And then there’s joyous freakbeat shenanigans from the likes of Human Instinct, with A Day In My Mind’s Mind –   from a totally different end of the psych spectrum

Balancing the rocking stuff with the more laidback, it’s great to see Jason Crest here under their previous name The Good Thing Brigade, with the lazy organ-fuelled My House Is Burning. You think you know Arthur Brown, he of The Crazy World and the God of Hell Fire? Think again! On Give Him a Flower, the wonderfully camp and distinctly English song of his on this box set, he sounds more like Kevin Ayers. And while we’re on the bonkers British tip, check out Granny Takes a Trip by Purple Gang

Marc Bolan pops up from his pre-fame days as a member of the Mod-psych warriors, John’s Children, with Desdemona. And speaking of pre-fame, David Bowie is here too as The Riot Squad, with Toy Soldier, a slightly dodgy ode to S&M, with lyrics that echo the Velvets’ Venus in Furs.

Far too many gems here to mention: hearing is believing. And as always with Cherry Red, it comes with great artwork & photos, plus all the information you need about the records, captured in a 44 page booklet. Some of the tracks are alternate versions and some are on CD for the first time. And it’s good news for those who already have an interest in the British psych/freakbeat movement, via compilations such as the Rubble series, because there is plenty of material here that won’t overlap, and no really obvious choices.

by Arash Torabi

Artist - Tracks - Composer

Disc 1

1. The Alan Bown - Toyland (Jess Roden, Tony Catchpole) - 2:55

2. The Attack - Magic In The Air (John Du Cann) - 3:38

3. The Tickle - Subway (Smokey Pokey World) (David Stuart Williams, Mick Wayne) - 2:41

4. Episode Six - I Can See Through You (Roger Glover) - 3:24

5. Dantalian's Chariot - The Madman Running Through The Fields (Andy Summers, Zoot Money) - 4:11

6. Geranium Pond - Dogs In Baskets - 2:05

7. The Scots Of St. James - Eiderdown Clown (Alan Gorrie, Graham Maitland) - 2:15

8. George Alexander - Dear Delilah (George Alexander) - 2:53

9. The Sorrows - Pink Purple Yellow And Red (Guido Podesta, Gianfranco Reverberi) - 2:49

10.The Mirage - Lazy Man (David Hynes) - 3:00

11.The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown - Give Him A Flower (Arthur Brown, Vincent Crane) - 3:01

12.Tintern Abbey - Tanya (Dave McTavish) - 2:56

13.Fleur-De-Lys - Prodigal Son (Gordon Hionides, Bryn Haworth) - 1:59

14.The Lomax Alliance - See The People (John Cannon, Tom Peters) - 2:14

15.The Mickey Finn - Time To Start Loving You (Alan Mark, Bernard Jory, Mickey Waller) - 2:40

16.The Fingers - I Hear The Sun (John Bobin, Peter Eden, Richard Mills) - 2:01

17.Crocheted Doughnut Ring - Nice (Bert Pulham, Dave Skates, George Bird, John Chapel, Richard Mills, Gerald Chevin, Peter Eden) - 3:05

18.The Good Thing Brigade - My House Is Burning (Terry Clarke, Terry Dobson) - 3:22

19.The Motives - Ice Woman (Tom Winter Jnr.)  - 2:49

20.Louise - Look At The Sun (Robert Chudley) - 3:30

21.Neo Maya - I Won't Hurt You (Bob Markley, Michael Lloyd, Shaun Harris) - 2:30

22.Cliff Ward - Path Through The Forest (Cliff Ward) - 4:33

23.The Spencer Davis Group - Sanity Inspector (Eddie Hardin, Spencer Davis) - 3:01

24.The Summer Set - 'Cos It's Over (Dave Brien, Les Humphries) - 2:45

25.Those Fadin' Colours - Try Me On For Size (Annette Tucker, Jill Jones) - 2:39

26.The Slender Plenty - Silver Tree Top School For Boys (David Bowie) - 2:22

27.Guy Darrell - Evil Woman (Larry Weiss) - 2:26

Disc 2

1. Elmer Gantry's Velvet Opera - Flames (Dave Terry) - 3:13

2. One In A Million - Double Sight (Alan Young, William Scenters) - 2:35

3. Paul And Barry Ryan - Keep It Out Of Sight (Cat Stevens) - 2:48

4. The Pretty Things - Defecting Grey (Phil May, Dick Taylor, Wally Waller) - 5:12

5. John's Children - Desdemona (Marc Bolan) - 2:24

6. The Doves - Smokeytime Springtime (Henry Turtle) - 3:03

7. John Williams - Flowers In Your Hair (John Williams) - 2:42

8. Sweet Feeling - All So Long Ago (Rod Brosse) - 3:13

9. Rupert's People - Reflections Of Charles Brown (Howard Conder, Rod Lynton)  - 4:19

10.The Riot Squad Featuring David Bowie - Toy Soldier (David Bowie) - 3:10

11.The Rats - The Rise And Fall Of Bernie Gripplestone (John Cambridge, Mick Ronson) - 4:08

12.Circus - Something To Write About (Phillip Goodhand-Tait) - 3:27

13.Dave Davies - Funny Face (Dave Davies) - 2:17

14.The Brood - Village Green (Ewan Stephens, Jeff Peters) - 2:23

15.Tony Rivers And  The Castaways - Mr. Sun (Tony Rivers) - 2:17

16.The Peep Show - Your Servant Stephen (Stephen Morris) - 3:01

17.The Uglys - And The Squire Blew His Horn (Jimmy O'Neill, Steve Gibbons) - 3:36

18.The Move - Vote For Me (Roy Wood) - 2:49

19.The Human Instinct - A Day In My Mind's Mind (Dave Hartstone) - 2:14

20.Murray Head - She Was Perfection (Murray Head) - 2:48

21.Peter And The Wolves - Little Girl Lost And Found (Johnny Walsh, Tandyn Almer) - 2:29

22.The Bunch - Spare A Shilling (John Pantry) - 2:32

23.Big Jim Sullivan - Flower Power (Big Jim Sullivan) - 3:26

24.Procol Harum - Kaleidoscope (Gary Brooker, Keith Reid) - 3:08

25.The Searchers - Crazy Dreams (John McNally, Mike Pender) - 2:37

26.The Artwoods - In The Deep End (Paul Gump) - 3:07

Disc 3

1. Our Plastic Dream - Someone Turned The Light Out (Pierre Tubbs) - 2:36

2. Hat And Tie - Finding It Rough (Chris Thomas, Patrick Campbell-Lyons) - 2:49

3. The Fresh Windows - Fashion Conscious (Brian Barrett) - 2:21

4. The Game - The Addicted Man (Alan Gowing, Lesley Blake, Terry Brown) - 2:23

5. Felius Andromeda - Meditations (Alan Morgan, Pamela Barry) - 4:09

6. The Honeybus - Delighted To See You (Brian Potter, Pete Dello) - 2:33

7. Ice - So Many Times (Chris Simpson, Steve Turner) - 2:06

8. The Flower Pot Men - A Walk In The Sky (John Carter, Ken Lewis, Russell Alquist) - 3:53

9. Five's Company - Friends And Mirrors (Bobby Russell) - 2:10

10.The Late - Family Tree (Pat Martin) - 3:04

11.The Secrets - I Think I Need The Cash (Clifford T. Ward) - 2:18

12.Skip Bifferty - Schizoid Revolution (Alan Hull) - 3:29

13.The Purple Gang - Granny Takes A Trip (Christopher Joe Beard, Geoff Bowyer) - 2:35

14.The Picadilly Line - Emily Small (The Huge World Thereof) (Rod Edwards, Roger Hand) - 2:31

15.The Outer Limits - Help Me Please (Jeff Christie) - 2:28

16.Focal Point - 'Cept Me (Dave Rhodes, Paul Tennant) - 2:53

17.Jade Hexagram - Great Shadowy Strange (Dale Callow, Dave Halliday, Greg Morris, Steve Leman) - 4:04

18.The Truth - Busker Bill (Steve Jameson) - 2:59

19.The Moody Blues - Life's Not Life (Denny Laine, Mike Pinder) - 2:35

20.Don Craine's New Downliners Sect - I Can't Get Away From You (Vern Miller) - 2:49

21.The Symbols - Again (John Milton, Mick Clarke) - 1:58

22.The Hi-Fi's - Odd Man Out (Gary Unwin) - 2:21

23.The Marmalade - Laughing Man (Junior Campbell) - 3:24

24.T. J. Assembly - Ginger (Dave Smith, Nigel Robinson, Roger Bourne, Trevor Marsden, Vince Parker) - 2:31

25.The 23rd Turn Off - Michelangelo (Jimmy Campbell) - 2:16

26.The Q. P. R. Supporters - Supporters - Support Us (Kerr, Taylor) - 2:47

27.Sands - Listen To The Sky (Bob Freeman, Ian McLintock, Paul Stewart, Peter Hammerton)  - 3:36

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rep>>> Ultra - Ultra (1975-77 us, explosive guitars drivin' tremendous hard southern rock, 2007 remaster)

Ultra is a home grown hard hitting classic rock band from San Antonio, Texas. Mixing southern blues, psychedelic rock and pro-metal.

Well-known, Ultra had its beginnings with “Homer”, who was made up of some of San Antonio’s finest musicians. They continue to amaze audiences and players alike after 30 plus years. They are part of the Texas musical elite that found success as musicians, recording engineers and writers. Being a success in the industry even for a short time is difficult. To pass into legend status, is rare.  In the 70’s when rock n roll was still exploding, they, as many bands do, went through changes.  When Ultra’s line up and signature style evolved to its final incarnation a rich music heritage was born.

Between 1975 through 1978 Ultra released one 5 track EP and recorded several demo tracks, which were never made public. Being an opening band can sometimes be a stepping-stone to stardom but this was not the case for these musicians. The band was never under contract and their roadies were receiving more pay than the band. To make matter worse. By 1978, the band had finally had enough and they decided to disband.

by Tess DeFlori

Tracks

1. Mutants - 3:29
2. Android - 3:10
3. Battery - 4:08
4. Ten Years Since - 4:18
5. Lamp Black, White Fight - 2:51
6. Windjammer - 3:40
7. Diggin' Deep - 4:31
8. Circe - 4:51
9. Seasons Pass - 4:16
10.City on Ice - 4:33
11.The Desert - 4:32
12.Souled There With Care - 3:51
13.Man on the Street - 4:06
14.Get Away - 4:02
15.Compass - 5:16
16.Hot n Cold - 3:40

All songs by Don Evans, Galen Niles, Larry McGuffin

Ultra
*Galen Niles - Guitars
*Larry McGuffin - Guitars
*Don Evans - Vocals
*Tom Schleuning - Drums
*Scott Stephens - Bass

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rep>>> Joe Soap - Keep It Clean (1972 uk, elegant folk classic rock, 2009 korean remaster)

Joe Soap was a band comprised of John Tennent and David Morrison and the album "Tennent & Morrison" {Polydor, 1972) was their first album. It was recorded with several members of Stone the Crows (Jimmy, Ronnie Leahy, Steven Thompson, Colin Allen), plus Herbie Flowers (bass) and Clem Cattini (drums). Their second album, "Keep It Clean" (as Joe Soap) (Polydor, 1973), featured Gerry Conway (drums, later in Jethro Tull) and Mik Kaminski (violin, from ELO). 

Although they were regarded as a second class British rock bands in the early 70s' they were very good indeed. They were one of the most underrated bands in the British rock & pop history. The album features ten tracks composed by John and David with help of Sandy Robertson (producer). Two guys rather thick but fascinating voices diffuse strong masculine beauty in all tracks.

In addition to it, a mastermind violinist Mike Kaminski's scattering violin features most of the tracks especially on "Feel Strange" and "On The Wing" are just superb. Jimmy McCulloch's intense guitar domains on every track as well. Overall, the album is an awesome combo set of typical British rock classics with strong American southern rock flavor

Both Tennent and Morrison and Keep It Clean are now extremely rare and occasionally surface on the collectors' market. After they release two albums, both John and David are not active as musicians but their talents and the albums still remain even now.

CD Liner-notes

Tracks
1. Talkin"Bout You - 4:12
2. Warning Sign - 2:58
3. Lay It On Me - 7:05
4. Whatever The Song Is Now (Tennent) - 3:09
5. Get Out From Under - 3:00
6. Feels Strange - 3:24
7. On The Wing (Morrison) - 3:27
8. Time - 3:46
9. All Out Now - 3:22
10. Birdman (Tennent) – 3:33
All compositions by John Tennent, Dave Morrison unless as else indicated

Musicians
*John Tennent - Guitar, Vocals
*Dave Morrison - Bottleneck, Vocals
*Jimmy McCulloch - Guitar
*Jerry Conway - Drums
*Jeff Pearce - Bass
*Mike Kaminski - Violin

Related Act

1972  Tennent Morrison - Tennent Morrison (2005 reissue)

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rep>>> The Allman Brothers Band - Brothers And Sisters (1973 us, classic superb southern jam rock, 2013 Japan SHM super deluxe four disc set edition)

The Allman Brothers Band's first Number One album, 1973's Brothers and Sisters, was a miracle of recovery and reinvention amid grim, enforced change: the deaths, in 1971 and 1972, respectively, of guitarist Duane Allman and bassist Berry Oakley. Guitarist Dickey Betts took a greater leading and writing role, increasing the country light and buoyancy in the Allmans' electric-blues stampede ("Ramblin' Man," "Southbound," "Jessica") as new pianist Chuck Leavell added more barrelhouse and fusion dynamics. 

The road to that symmetry is caught in this four-CD set by a disc of rehearsals and outtakes that sounds like the work of a more brawny, Southern Grateful Dead, at once winding ("A Minor Jam"), earthy and hurting (Gregg Allman's howling in Ray Charles' "I'm Gonna Move to the Outskirts of Town"). A complete 1973 concert from San Francisco's Winterland shows the new lineup's confidence and style of ascension (the stately, climbing pathos in the middle of "Whipping Post") at bright, striving length – before the family really fell apart.

by David Fricke

To say the Allman Brothers Band were up against a wall in the fall of 1972 would be something of an understatement. Just a year before, they had lost guitarist and co-founder Duane Allman in a motorcycle accident. In November 1972, during the recording of their fifth album, ‘Brothers and Sisters,’ their bass player, Berry Oakley, met a similar fate on his bike just three blocks from where Allman was tragically struck and killed.

You’d think all of this would make Gregg Allman, Dickey Betts and the rest of the band throw their hands up and give in, or at least deliver an album full of dire tunes. But that wasn’t the case when ‘Brothers and Sisters’ finally arrived in stores in August 1973.

Not only did the record continue on in the tradition of their previous LPs, the record’s gatefold sleeve features photos of drummer Butch Trucks’ young son and the grinning Brittany Oakley, the late bassist’s daughter. The picture captures a slight moment of innocence and hope, plopped right onto the cover as if to declare, “Everything is going to be all right.”

‘Brothers and Sisters” opening track, ‘Wasted Words,’ is classic Gregg Allman, boasting an urgency boosted by by Betts’ excellent slide work. ‘Ramblin’ Man’ reached No. 2 on the singles chart, becoming the band’s only Top 10 hit. It’s no surprise that it was so successful: The song is the audio equivalent of a cloudless sky. Tie these in with the driving ‘Southbound,’ the entrancing instrumental ‘Jessica’ and the stomp of ‘Pony Boy,’ and you have one of the group’s most enduring albums.

‘Brothers and Sisters’ chills the longnecks and lets the smoke rise on its own. And it’s the perfect portrait of the band before they stumbled into the rest of the ’70s, which were filled with halfhearted records like ‘Win, Lose or Draw’ and ‘Enlightened Rogues,’ various addictions and Cher.

by Tony Rettman 

Tracks

Disc 1 "Brothers And Sisters" (Remastered) 

1. Wasted Words (Gregg Allman) - 4:20

2. Ramblin' Man (Richard Betts) - 4:48

3. Come And Go Blues (Gregg Allman) - 4:55

4. Jelly Jelly (Trade Martin) - 5:46

5. Southbound (Richard Betts) - 5:10

6. Jessica (Richard Betts) - 7:31

7. Pony Boy (Richard Betts) - 5:51

Disc 2 "Rehearsals, Jams And Outtakes" (Previously Unreleased) 

1. Wasted Words (Gregg Allman) - 5:06

2. Trouble No More (McKinley Morganfield) - 3:58

3. Southbound (Richard Betts) - 5:56

4. One Way Out (Elmore James, Marshall Sehorn, Sonny Boy Williamson) - 5:38

5. I'm Gonna Move To The Outskirts Of Town (William Weldon) - 11:14

6. Done Somebody Wrong (Elmore James) - 3:50

7. Double Cross (Gregg Allman) - 4:35

8. Early Morning Blues (Gregg Allman) - 9:27

9. A Minor Jam (Butch Trucks, Chuck Leavell, Jaimoe, Lamar Williams, Les Dudek) - 16:29

Disc 3 "Live At Winterland", September 26, 1973
1. Introduction By Bill Graham - 1:23

2. Wasted Words (Gregg Allman) - 5:17

3. Done Somebody Wrong (Elmore James) - 4:01

4. One Way Out (Elmore James, Marshall Sehorn, Sonny Boy Williamson) - 8:44

5. Stormy Monday (T-Bone Walker) - 8:12

6. Midnight Rider (Gregg Allman) - 3:34

7. Ramblin' Man (Richard Betts) - 7:33

8. In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed (Richard Betts) - 17:20

9. Statesboro Blues (Will McTell) - 4:27

10.Come And Go Blues (Gregg Allman) - 5:12

Disc 4  "Live At Winterland", September 26, 1973

1. Southbound (Richard Betts) - 6:01

2. Jessica (Richard Betts) - 9:46

3. You Don't Love Me (Includes Amazing Grace) (Willie Cobbs / Traditional) - 10:49

4. Les Brers In A Minor (With Drum Solo) (Richard Betts) - 25:49

5. Blue Sky (Richard Betts) - 4:49

6. Trouble No More (McKinley Morganfield) - 4:47

7. Whipping Post (Gregg Allman) - 15:04

The Allman Brothers Band
*Gregg Allman – Lead, Background Vocals, Organ, Rhythm Guitar
*Richard Betts – Lead Vocals, Lead, Slide Guitar, Dobro
*Berry Oakley – Bass
*Lamar Williams – Bass
*Chuck Leavell - Piano, Electric Piano, Background Vocals
*Jaimoe – Drums, Congas
*Butch Trucks – Drums, Percussion, Tympani, Congas
With
*Les Dudek – Lead Guitar (Disc 1 Track 2), Acoustic Guitar (Disc 1 Track 6)

*Tommy Talton - Acoustic Guitar (Disc 1 Track 7)

The Allman Brothers Band
1968-89  Dreams (4 Disc box set)

1970  Live At The Atlanta International Pop Festival (2003 Double Disc)
1971  S.U.N.Y. At Stonybrook NY
Related Acts

1967-69  Hour Glass - Southbound / Rare And Unreleased (2004 release)
1973  Gregg Allman - Laid Back (2016 japan SHM remaster and 2019 double disc remastered and expanded)
1974  Gregg Allman - The Gregg Allman Tour (2008 japan SHM remaster)
1977  The Gregg Allman Band - Playin' Up A Storm

1968  The 31st Of February - The 31st Of February

1974  Richard Dickey Betts - Highway Call
1977-78  Dickey Betts And Great Southern / Atlanta's Burning Down (2010 Retro World reissue)
1977  Sea Level - Sea Level
1977  Sea Level - Cats On The Coast

1976-77  Les Dudek - Les Dudek / Say No More (2007 double disc remaster)

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