Rick Hayward - Rick Hayward (1971 uk, lo-fi experimental folk psych rock, 2007 remaster)

Having played lead guitar for psychedelic legends the Accent, formed a late incarnation of the Zombies with Rod Argent, collaborated with Christine Perfect (later of Fleetwood Mac), joined boogie rockers Jellybread and recorded innumerable sessions, Rick Hayward finally recorded this solo album for the Blue Horizon label in 1971. 

Don't expect any Zombies-like songs, this is an off-beat collection of psychedelictinged folk songs and instrumentals on which he plays all instruments, it was produced by Mike Vernon (David Bowie, Fleetwood Mac, Ten Years After) but sank without trace on original release. Features detailed liner notes by Rick himself, as well as rare photographs and eleven bonus tracks recorded for his unreleased second album a few months later. 

Tracks

1. Lament F' Yorke - 2:11

2. Light In The Sky - 4:10

3. His Imperial Highness Prince Chicken Rag - 2:43

4. Can't See Any Sign - 2:26

5. Neptune - 3:19

6. Weasel - 3:14

7. Dance Of The Sour Grape Fairy - 2:57

8. Seeing Through - 3:05

9. Minuette - 1:02

10.Mongrel - 2:23

11.Find Yourself Sometime - 4:28

12.Wheels Within Wheels - 2:50

13.Tattered Rag - 2:42

14.Gwendolynne - 2:00

15.Morning After - 2:26

16.Fast Track - 1:49

17.Peregrination - 3:10

18.Ragtiming - 3:00

19.Greensleeves (Sort Of) - 2:26

20.Strolling Home - 3:36

21.Boogie Bill - 1:50

22.Breathing Space - 2:19

23.Bonnie Wee Fling - 2:29

All songs by Rick Hayward

Bonus Tracks 13-23

*Rick Hayward - Acoustic, Electric Guitars, Sitar, Mandolin, Bass, Bongos, Drums

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Joe Prichard And Gibraltar - Joe Prichard And Gibraltar (1974 us, power guitar rock, 2004 reissue)

Very little is known about Joe Prichard or his sidekicks, except that the band, which hailed from Missouri, drew its inspiration from influences far and wide, resulting in each of the 5 tracks being very different in character, ranging from the power chords and staccato guitar breaks of the Jimmy Page variety, to the throaty sax of 12-bar blues specialists Climax as well as the dual guitars of ZZ Top. There's even a 9-minute jam a la Jethro Tull or Traffic with flute and sax giving a decidedly jazzy feel to proceedings. This is another extremely rare record (only 500 copies were pressed on the private Kendall-Lee label in 1974).

Tracks

1. Blind Man (David Harmon) - 9:07

2. Rose Petal Lady (Steve Armstrong) - 7:08

3. Reason To Be (Joe Prichard) - 5:37

4. The Machine Is Small Enough (Joe Prichard) - 10:02

5. August Apathy (Joe Prichard) - 1:19

Joe Prichard And Gibraltar

*David Harmon - Bass, Vocals

*Norman Pelot - Drums, Backing Vocals

*Vincent West - Lead Guitar

*Steve Armstrong - Vocals

*Joe Prichard - Moog, Piano, Organ, Saxophone, Vocals

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Quintessence - Indweller (1972 uk, a compelling prog-rock exploration, 2008 remaster)

Quintessence's first album for RCA Records from 1972. Hailing from the heart of London's 'alternative underground' society in Notting Hill, Quintessence were inspired by Eastern philosophy and spiritual teachings creating a unique fusion of psychedelia, jazz and ethnic rock. Indweller saw them continue their musical explorations in this vein, creating a classic of the progressive/acid rock genre. The Esoteric remastered edition was produced from the original analog master tapes and features a booklet with liner notes and new essay."

Tracks

1. Jesus My Life (Swami Ambikananda) - 3:39

2. Butterfly Music - 1:03

3. It's All The Same - 7:08

4. Indweller - 2:30

5. Holy Roller - 4:16

6. Portable Realm - 1:30

7. Sai Baba (Swami Ambikananda) - 3:24

8. On The Other Side Of The Wall - 3:38

9. Dedication - 2:46

10.Bliss Trip - 6:25

11.Mother Of The Universe - 1:46

All selections by Allan Mostert, Ronald Rothfield, Richard Vaughan, Jake Milton except where indicated

Quintessence

*Allan Mostert - Lead Guitar

*Ronald Rothfield “Raja Ram” - Flute

*Richard Vaughan “Sambhu Babaji” - Bass

*Jake Milton - Drums

1969-71  Quintessence - Spirits From Another Time (2016 double disc set)  

1969-71  Quintessence - Move Into The Light The Complete Island Recordings (2017 double disc)  

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Stampeders - New Day (1974 canada, exceptional classic rock, 2006 remaster)

"New Day" was cut in ’74 and was more experimentation in the studios, marked by the lead-off track and first single “Ramona”. Other hi-lites of their fifth straight gold record were Dodson’s “Marigold” (named for his future recording studio and record label), “Running Out Of Time” and the haunting “Brothers Of The Universe”. The subsequent tour resulted in the live album “Backstage Pass”, recorded at Ontario Place and released before year’s end. Capturing their live presence, which was always one of their trademarks, the record featured live versions of “Devil You”, “Johnny Lightning” and a cover of “Blue Suede Shoes”. “I used to ask the guys if we have to play music when we’re on stage. It always got in the way of my comedy routine,” King quipped. Slick editing (for the time anyway) stripped the gags out of the record and left one of the purest live albums of its day, showcasing the band in its most familiar stage – in front of screaming fans.

by Rich Dodson, Ronnie King

“New Day” represents a bit of a departure for The Stampeders. Leaving relatively “hokey” numbers (like Monday Morning Choo Choo, for example) aside, The Stampeders show their versatility and their ability to play straight ahead Rock and Roll on this album.

Highlights include “In the Shadows”,  “Ramona”, a straight ahead rocker, “It’s Your Move”, another fast-paced tune and the casually paced “Do It Again”. Of particular interest are the songs “Somebody Help Me”–two groove-infused songs that are featured as bookends on the Stampeders “Backstage Pass” Live album. A nice change of pace for a group that is, unfortunately, lost in the annals of Canadian Rock history. 

Tracks

1. Ramona - 3:22

2. Marigold - 4:52

3. Running Out Of Time (Kim Berly) - 3:50

4. It's Your Move (Ronnie King) - 2:53

5. Wild Eyes - 3:51

6. In The Shadows - 4:30

7. Words (Kim Berly) - 2:55

8. Do It Again - 3:28

9. Somebody Help Me - 2:05

10.Brothers Of The Universe (Ronnie King) - 4:45

All songs by Rich Dodson except where indicated

The Stampeders

*Kim Berly - Drums, Vocals

*Ronnie King - Bass

*Rich Dodson - Guitar, Vocals

1971  Stampeders - Against the Grain (2006 bonus tracks)  

1971  Stampeders - Carryin On (2003 edition) 

1973  Stampeders - From The Fire (2006 remaster)

1973  Stampeders - Rubes Dudes And Rowdies (2006 remaster)

1974  Stampeders - Backstage Pass (2006 reissue)

1975  Stampeders - Steamin (2006 remaster)

1976  Stampeders - Hit The Road (2006 remaster)

1979  Stampeders - Ballsy (2006 remaster)

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Mirkwood - Mirkwood (1973 uk, hard rock with prog shades, 2008 edition)

"Mirkwood's lone self-titled album was originally issued in 1973, in an edition of just 99 copies. Coming out of the port town of Dover, with each of the group members having honed their moves in various outfits for years (including the original Rolling Stones from 1957 - no relation to the Glimmer Twins).This album's fantastic mix of precise hard rock and mysterious ballads has had many a private press enthusiast by the hair over the years. Crashing out of the gates with the one-two knockout combination of the fuzz shuffle of 'Take My Love' and the epic 11-minute centerpiece of 'Love's Glass of Sunshine,' this record is a classic deep listen, revealing great moments with each new spin. Killer harmonies and lots of twin-guitar lead action, tough and tender, this record is pure autumnal magic."

Tracks

1. Take My Love - 4:35

2. Love's Glass Of Sunshine - 11:28

3. Just Because - 5:17

4. The Leech (Mick Morris) - 5:19

5. The Vision - 3:27

6. Clockwise - 6:02

7. Lavendula - 7:23

All songs by Jack Castle except track #4

Mirkwood

*Jack Castle - Guitar, Vocals

*Mick Morris - Guitar, Vocals

*Steve Smith - Drums

*Derek Bowley - Lead Vocals

*Dave Evans - Bass

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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

Related Acts

1968-71  Roger James Cooke - Study ...Plus (2012 expanded)  

1970  Hungry Wolf - Hungry Wolf  

1970  Rumplestiltskin - Rumplestiltskin (2007 remaster)  

1972  Rumplestiltskin - Black Magician (2011 remaster)  

1972  Panhandle - Panhandle (2016 remaster)  

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Cromwell - At The Gallop (1975 ireland, exciting guitar pub rock, 2022 remaster)

Emerging from the giant shadow cast by the greatness of Thin Lizzy, this obscure band with a venomous guitar attack, and dual vocalists that kick ass and take names, puts the ‘ire’ in Ireland and delivers with a sound that’s not for the squeamish.

Initially self-released in 1975 by the Drumcondra, Dublin-based Cromwell, At The Gallop is a blistering, heavy, loud’n’lascivious ten track offering (thirteen in this expanded edition) of infused street rock’n’roll from a time when Ireland was still under the sway of conservative showbands, quasi-religious, sentimental pop pap and traditional Irish music.

Despite their cultural struggles, Cromwell crafted a creative and compact catalog—five fuzzed’n’ferocious 45s and this footlong—led by co-vocalist/bassist Michael Kiely’s come hither coo and fey Jagger pose’n’preen, the in-the-pocket drumming of Derek Dawson and minor-guitar hero moves of Patrick Brady, exercising taste, talent and towering mountains of fuzz’n’fury as comfortably as greasy ‘70s raunch and rural modes. At The Gallop is a rare—fetching upwards of 400€ when the original LP does appear—little heard classic in the pub/ fried rock’n’roll /proto-punk terrain.

Tracks

1. Ireland (The Wild One) (Michael Kiely, Patric Brady, Derek Dawson) - 3:26

2. Down On The Town - 3:32

3. First Day - 3:23

4. You Got It Made - 3:36

5. At The Gallop - 2:24

6. Guiness Rock - 4:14

7. Hoodwinked (Michael Kiely, Patric Brady, Derek Dawson) - 2:22

8. Nothing Left To See - 4:07

9. Deal Me In - 2:47

10.Dawson's Fun Palace - 3:22

11.Stomp Stomp Stomp - 2:48

12.You Hate It To Turn On - 3:40

13.Guiness Rock - 3:47 

All compositions by Michael Kiely, Patric Brady except where stated

Bonus Tracks 11-13

Cromwell

*Michael Kiely - Vocals, Bass, Acoustic Guitar, Piano, Synthesizer

*Patric Brady - Vocals, Electric, Slide Guitars

*Derek Dawson - Drums, Percussion Jews Harp

With

*Joylon Jackson - Piano (Track 7)

*John O'Callaghan - Organ (Tracks 3,8)

*Finin O'Callaghan - Guitar, Harmony Vocals 

*John Keogh - Piano (Track 4) 

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Noah - Peaceman's Farm (1972 canada, nice classic rock, feat. Randy Bachman)

Noah started originally playing local clubs around Trenton, Ontario in 1964-65 as Buzzy And The Belvederes. The band featured 'Buzzy' Vandersel’s (who was 14 at the time of the band's inception), his older cousins Peter and Marinus Vandertogt and finally, lead singer Paul Clapper. The band was re-christened Tyme And A Half by Nimbus 9 Productions' manager Al MacMillan during the recording of their first single "It's Been A Long Time". They would release the song and a second single in 1969.

The group then landed a deal with RCA-Victor through their Nimbus 9 producer Jack Richardson, and with a final name change to NOAH, released their debut in 1970. Paul Clapper, unhappy with the direction the band was taking under the leadership of Al McMillan, left and was replaced by Ron Neilson as they toured the debut album. However, Neilson also left and Noah carried on as a three piece.

Moving to ABC/Dunhill their 1972 album 'Peaceman's Farm' was produced by Randy Bachman. Bachman also wrote the song "Sussex" for the record and played guitar on several tracks as did keyboardist Jim Morgan. The song "World Band" would later be covered by US group GRIFFIN. The album not only recieved great reviews in RPM, Cashbox and Billboard magazines, but increased their profile as one of the featured acts in the Canadian music industry's summer Maple Music Junket.

Noah began extensive touring in the USA to promote the album in the Spring of 1972 and Bachman toured with them. One stint included a live broadcast on radio station WCMF in Rochester, New York. Al Manning joined the group at this time as well. A 3rd album left unreleased, and one single. After the frontman and singer Barry "Buzz" Vandersel died in fall 1975, the band split up.

Tracks

1. Peaceman's Farm - 6:15

2. They Come, They Go - 3:05

3. Sussex (Randy Bachman) - 3:27

4. April Roads - 3:37

5. Light Of A Different Day - 4:00

6. For Us All - 3:31

7. World Band - 3:44

8. Something's In My Way - 3:36

9. Take Me Back - 2:59

10.Never Too Late - 6:01

All songs by Barry Vandersel, Marinus Vandertogt, Peter Vandertogt except track #3 

Noah

*Barry "Buzz" Vandersel - Vocals, Bass

*Marinus Vandertogt - Lead Guitar, Vocals

*Peter Vandertogt - Drums

With

*Randy Bachman - Vocals, Guitar (Tracks 1-3,6,8)

*Jim Morgan - Keyboards (Track 4)

1970  Noah - Noah 

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Dave Davies - Decade (1971-78 uk, straight ahead rock, ranging from hard rock to pop and all stops in between, 2018 digipak remaster)

It must be tough being in a band with your big brother – especially when he writes the tunes and calls the shots. It doesn’t help when the band you’re in is the Kinks – a volatile powder keg of ego, sibling rivalry, and God only knows what else. We all know that Dave Davies can write a decent tune – check out “Death of a Clown” and “Susannah’s Still Alive” for proof of that, but can the younger Davies brother consistently deliver the goods? If Decade is anything to go on, then yeah, he can.

Decade has been lovingly assembled by Dave’s sons Simon and Martin from recordings made at the band’s Konk Studios, throughout the 1970s. The good news is that it hangs together well as an album and sounds cohesive -not a ragbag of demos and half-baked ideas, but a genuine long-playing record. The other good news is that the tunes are strong and don’t sound as if they were written by his brother. Well, a few do, but they are family, after all.

In the 1970s, the Kinks were an eccentric arena band, packing them in across the USA and ramping up the rock elements of their sound. English whimsy combined with a loud guitar or two was a powerful draw to your average gig going American, and Davies was a major part of that. If you need proof, then just listen to One for the Road – recorded in a variety of American cities (with a couple of tracks from Zurich) in late 1979, Dave Davies guitar is front and center and propels the band forward with real urgency. On Decade, we get a hint of that, but it’s quite surprising that it isn’t more, well, heavy, I guess. This is the guy that invented heavy metal, after all.

by Ian Rushbury, 7 November 2018 

Tracks

1. Cradle to the Grave - 3:32

2. Midnight Sun - 4:03

3. Islands - 4:23

4. If You Are Leaving - 4:18

5. Web of Time - 4:25

6. Mystic Woman - 2:33

7. Give You All My Love - 4:04

8. The Journey - 3:12

9. Within Each Day - 3:45

10.Same Old Blues - 4:10

11.Mr. Moon - 3:48

12.Shadows - 3:37

13.This Precious Time (Long Lonely Road) - 5:42 

All songs by Dave Davies

Personnel

*Dave Davies - Vocals, Lead Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Drums

*Phil Palmer - Electric Guitar, Electric Bass (Tracks 1,2,6,8,12)

*Neil McBain - Drums (Tracks 1,2,6,8,11,12)

*Ron Lawrence - Bass (Tracks 9,10)

*John Gosling - Organ (Tracks 1,2), Strings Arrangement (Track 12)

*Nick Trevisick - Drums (Tracks 3,7,9,10,13)

*Andy Pyle - Electric Bass (Tracks 3,7,13)

*Mick Avory - Drums (Track 4)

Related Act

1969  The Kinks - Arthur Or The Decline And Fall Of The British Empire (2011 SHM 2disc)  

1970  The Kinks - Lola VS The Powerman And The Money Go Round (2010 SHM remaster)  

1972  The Kinks - Everybody's In Show-Biz (2003 MFSL Ultradisc) 
1976  The Kinks - Present Schoolboys In Disgrace (2004 SACD) 

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Strange - Souvenir Album (1974-78 us, fusion underground art psych rock, 2009 reissue)

The Strange were an underground art-rock band from Olympia, WA, close to the Canadian border. Tom Hackett, Robert Rensel, David Chamberlain, Rick Rackleff plus Mike Pitcher, Don Morris & Carl Dexter recorded the Souvenir Album over a period of several years, and it was finally released in a tiny pressing in 1976 on the Yantis Record label. With a touch of the West Coast sound and lots of Mothers Of Invention influences, this album is just as special as The Spoils Of War and as complex as Time and Think Dog, with Zappa-style wah-wah/flange guitar, great vocals, piano, effects, some horns, and a well-balanced mixture of heavy psych guitar tracks and twisted underground folk tunes. 

Tracks

1. Segment from Barapp (9-75) - 1:14

2. Somebody - 6:10

3. The Ballad of Hollis Spaceman - 7:06

4. Four Eyes - 5:39

5. Segment from Barapp - 0:41

6. Segment from on Winning the War / A Faced Dream - 4:18

7. Rick's Song (Rick Rackleff) - 2:30

8. Segment from Mushroom Wednesday / Lies by Poetic License - 5:37

9. Twelve Boats (Tom Hackett) - 5:05

10.The Last Song - 4:31

All compositions by David Chamberlain except where stated

Personnel

*Carl Dexter - Vocals, Bass

*David Chamberlain - Guitar, Vocals

*Tom Hackett - Twelve-String Guitar

*Robert Rensel - French Horn, Keyboards, Vocals

*Rick Rackleff - Bongos, Drums, Organ

*Don Morris - Bass, Saxophone, Vocals

*Ron Redifer - Drums

*Jim Eager - Drums 

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