Coyote - Coyote (1972 us, magnificent rural funky prog rock, 2013 issue)

Hum, I never would have guessed these guys were from Cockeysville, Maryland ...  Prior to coming together as Coyote, the various members had played in a host of Baltimore bands.  Showcasing the talents of keyboardist Rod Arment , lead guitarist Chuck Beaty, bassist Jim Kestle, drummer Tim Lloyd , and keyboardist Rusty Steele.   The group were regulars on the Maryland and Washington, D.C. club circuit, but in spite of their talent and enthusiasm, were unable to attract the attention of a major label. 

Later in the year the band got around to recording a self-financed LP - 1the cleverly-titled "Coyote".  Musically the album's always been somewhat of a curiosity to my ears.  There aren't a lot of online reviews, but a couple of them describe the set as a country-rock effort.  I'll tell you that's not a particularly accurate description.  With four of the members contributing to the writing chores, side one was quite eclectic, bouncing around between jazz-rock instrumental ('Cowboy & Indians'), Dead-influenced old-timey Americana ('Horney Coyote'), and conventional rock ('Jabberwocky').  

Side one was also notable for displaying some of the era's strangest lyrics ('Farmer Fetcher's').  In contrast, exemplified by material like 'Ready to Ride' and 'Fly' side two reflected a more focused rock and progressive-leaning sound.  Blessed with four decent singers (drummer Lloyd was the only non-singer in the group), gave the album a nice sense of diversity and technically these guys were all quite impressive with Beaty and Steele deserving special notice. There's no doubt these guys were talented and I'd be willing to bet they were a killer club act.

Shortly after the album was released the hand underwent a major personnel shift that saw Beaty and Kestle joined by keyboardist Brian Boyd, lead singer David Gable, and drummer Dennis Meros.  The band seemingly continued to perform through 1976 and then called it quits with various members joining a host of local bands.

the Bad-Cat

Tracks
1. Farmer Fletcher's (Chuck Beaty) - 2:26
2. Cowboys And Indians (Chuck Beaty) - 2:54
3. Horney Coyote (Chuck Beaty) - 6:32
4. Jabberwocky (L. Carrroll, Chuck Beaty) - 3:13
5. Flat Chested Woman (Chuck Beaty) - 4:27
6. Ready To Ride (Rod Arment) - 3:06
7. Silver Ring (Chuck Beaty) - 5:09
8. Fly (Jim Kestle, Rusty Steele) - 5:07
9. People Funny (Jim Kestle) - 2:21
10.Musician (Chuck Beaty) - 3:10

The Coyote
*Rod Arment - Keyboards, Vocals
*Chuck Beaty - Vocals, Lead Guitar
*Jim Kestle - Bass, Backing Vocals
*Tim Lloyd - Drums, Backing Vocals
*Rusty Steele - Keyboards, Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocals

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Fandango - Slipstreaming / Future Times (1979-80 uk, tough boogie classic rock)

Fandango was formed by ex-Deep Purple (Mark I) member Nick Simper in 1978 after the demise of his former band Warhorse in the mid 70's. The band recorded two albums, Slipstreaming in 1979 and Future Times in 1980 both originally released on a small German label Shark When the debut album Slipstreaming was originally released, the music world was in turmoil. Punk was beginning to rear its ugly head, disco was hot while hard rock was becoming a thing of the past. The band had a hard time finding a U.K. label to release a 70's styled hard rock album so the band went to Germany where hard rock and Nick Simper's reputation was still a viable product. 

The debut album was released on the Shark label in Germany and finally picked up by Gull in England where it achieved a moderate amount of success. On the basis of the first album's sales another album, Future Times was recorded in 1980 but this one was only released in Germany. With the lack of promotion and low sales on the second album, Fandango decided to call it a day and folded in 1983. This two CD set marks the first time that both of these albums have seen an international release. Besides the two albums in their entirety, this set also contains four bonus selections in the form of rare and unreleased recordings. The CD booklet contains a detailed information on the band and documents the history of both album releases. This set should be of particular interest to any fan of British hard rock and also of interest to Deep Purple collectors. 

by Keith Pettipas

Tracks
Slipstreaming 1979
1. Candice Larene (Jim Proops, Nick Simper) - 6:35
2. Rocky Road Blues (Peter Parks, Jim Proops, Nick Simper) - 5:04
3. Independent Man (Hey Mama) (Nick Simper) - 6:33
4. Slipstreaming (Jim Proops, Nick Simper) - 4:24
5. Schoolhouse Party (Nick Simper) - 4:15
6. Sister (Peter Parks, Jim Proops, Nick Simper) - 4:52
7. Mississsippi Lady (Jim Croce) - 4:17
8. Time Will Tell (Jim Proops, Nick Simper) - 5:54

Future Times 1980
9. Pull Out And Start Again (Jim Proops, Nick Simper) - 5:14
10.Get Down, Lay Down (Jim Proops, Nick Simper) - 5:40
11.She Was My Friend (Jim Proops, Nick Simper) - 4:50
12.Future Times (Jim Proops, Nick Simper) - 4:51
13.Undercover Man (Peter Parks, Jim Proops, Nick Simper) - 5:47
14.Something's Burning (Mac Davis) - 4:51
15.Hard Drink And Easy Women (Jim Proops, Nick Simper) - 3:45

Personnel
*Jim Proops - Vocals
*Pete Parks - Guitar
*Bass Guitar – Nick Simper
*Neil McCarthur - Piano, Organ (tracks 1 - 8)
*Ron Penney - Drums (tracks 1 - 8)
*Mac Poole - Drums (tracks 9 - 15)

1967  Flower Pot Men - Let's Go To San Francisco
1970  Warhorse - Warhorse (2008 Japan remaster and expanded)  
1972  Warhorse - Red Sea (2010 remaster with bonus tracks)

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Machiavel - Jester (1977 belgium, extreme heavy prog rock, 2010 remaster)

Jester is regarded as Macheavel's greatest album (second in row), and apparently the band benefitted greatly with the addition of vocalist Mario Guccio, who also played some flute, sax, and clarinet. Keyboardist Albert Letecheur really steals the show here with lots of electric piano, string synths, Minimoog, Mellotron and piano, while Roland De Greef provides bass, Marc Ysaye provides drums, and Jean Paul Delvaux provides guitars.

"Wisdom" starts off with some pulsing synth sounds, then the string synths and guitar kick in. Some rather dramatic vocals kick in. It's a great piece and a great way to open the album. "Sparkling Jaw" starts off with some spacy synths, in a rather slow manner, but then when the music kicks speed, the Supertramp influence (the electric piano) surfaces. "Moments" is a nice acoustic ballad done prog rock style, this reminds me most of Genesis during their more acoustic moments. 

The Mellotron rears it's head for the first time on this album here, and the Mellotron would be heard for the remainder of the album. "In the Reign of Queen Pollution" has lyrics that don't exactly need a rocket scientist to understand: about pollution and genetic mutation thanks to the consequence of pollution (including how after a thousand years children were born with the face in the shape of a gas mask). The song appropriately starts off in a rather dark and sinster matter with the string synths dominating. But the music starts picking up, Letecheur gives a nice Moog solo, then the music gets upbeat, for some strange reason, but the music is quite catchy. 

The title track has more of that Supertramp influence, but then at the end more nice synths that end this piece. "Mr. Street Fair" is a nice spacy piece dominated by string synths, with a circus-like atmosphere. "Rock, Sea and Tree" is the ending piece that has more great creative passages. What I admire is Machiavel is they also didn't forget to create great songs, and make them interesting by including some great creative passages. It's probably little wonder why they did so well in their native Belgium.

It's amazing how this album even got released! I'm not referring to the music, of course, it's the artwork inside the gatefold of the LP. The gatefold has very sexually explicit artwork. Even so, the artwork is done surrealistically, as often you would see on many '70s prog rock albums, just this one is perhaps the most sexually explicit art I ever seen on a prog rock album, even the cover to Frank Zappa's Over-Nite Sensation is nothing compared to this! EMI (actually its division, Harvest, a label known for acts like Pink Floyd, Eloy, Triumvirat, Barclay James Harvest, etc.) actually released this album despite the artwork. I'm glad they did regardless of how controversial the artwork, at the risk of being banned.

There is no doubt about it, Jester is a great album to start if you don't know Machiavel. And if you were turned off by them thanks to a later release such as New Lines, you'll be glad to know Jester is much better. It comes highly recommended! 

by Ben Miler

Tracks
1. Wisdom (Albert Letecheur, Roland De Greef) - 6:01
2. Sparkling Jaw (Albert Letecheur, Roland De Greef) - 7:06
3. Moments (Albert Letecheur, Marc Ysaye, Roland De Greef) - 3:19
4. In the Reign of Queen Pollution (Albert Letecheur, Roland De Greef) - 6:54
5. The Jester (Albert Letecheur, Roland De Greef) - 5:27
6. Mr Street Fair (Albert Letecheur, Roland De Greef) - 7:57
7. Rock Sea and Tree (Albert Letecheur, Marc Ysaye) - 9:21
8. The Birds are Gone (Marc Ysaye) - 1:50
9. Im Now Here (Marc Ysaye) - 2:23

Machiavel
*Mario Guccio - Vocals, Flute, Saxophone, Clarinet
*Christophe Pons - Guitars
*Roland De Greef - Vocals, Bass
*Marc Ysaye - Drums,Vocals, Tambourine, Maracas, Gong, Percussion
*Hervι Borbe - Keyboards
*Jean Paul Devaux - Electric, Acoustic, 12 String Guitars, Vocals

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Tower Of Power - East Bay Grease (1970 us, excellent jazz funk brass rock)

Tower's musical odyssey actually began in 1968 when Emilio Castillo met Stephen Doc Kupka in July of that year. When Doc auditioned during a band rehearsal at Emilio's house, Emilio's father called him into the kitchen and offered the following advice: Hire that guy, he's got something. Doc and his signature baritone sax sound were now in the band, and on August 13, 1968, Tower of Power, as we know them today, began playing gigs, and soon became very well known in the area.

Many other bands came out of the San Francisco Bay area in the late 60's. Bands like The Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Santana, Big Brother, Journey, Cold Blood and others all helped to define the San Francisco Sound. Tower of Power has always claimed Oakland, California as their hometown. Playing area venues and making a name for themselves, Tower of Power's big break was just around the corner.

After playing at a Tuesday night audition at the Fillmore in 1970, Tower was signed to Bill Graham’s San Francisco records and their first album, “East Bay Grease,” was recorded. All of the compositions were original tunes written by Castillo and Kupka.

Tower Of Power

Tracks
1. Knock Yourself Out - 7:10
2. Social Lubrication - 7:24
3. The Price - 6:10
4. Back On The Streets Again - 5:51
5. The Skunk, The Goose, And The Fly - 5:50
6. Sparkling In The Sand (Emilio Castillo, Stephen Kupka, Lawrence Lopez) - 9:05
All selections written by Emilio Castillo, Stephen Kupka, except where noted

Tower Of Power
*Rufus Miller - Lead Vocals (Except Sparkling)
*Emilio (Mimi) Castillo - Alto Sax,Vocals,And Extra Greasy Vocals On The Skunk
*Dave Garibaldi - Drums,Vibes,Background Vocals
*Greg Adams - First Trumpet
*Steve Kupka - The Funky Doctor - Baritone Sax,Background Vocals
*Skip Mesquite - Tenor Sax,Flute,Vocals
*David Padron - Second Trumpet
*Frank Prestia - Bass
*Rick Stevens - Lead Vocal On Sparkling In The Sand, Background Vocals
*Willy Fulton - Guitar, Background Vocals
Mellow Side Orders
*Mic Gillette - Trumpet, Trombone, Flugelhorn Solo On Sparkling In The Sand
*Ken Balzell - Trumpet

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Fashion Pink - To Brainstorm (1970-71 germany, astonishing heavy psych experimental prog rock, 2000 issue)

The origins of Fashion Pink can be traced back to the experiences of three schoolmates from Baden-Baden, southwest Germany, who decided to form a contemporary underground progressive rockband, having already played in various beat groups.

Fashion Pink was formed in 1968 by Roland Schaeffer (saxophones, vibraphone, guitar, bass, vocals), Eddy von Overheidt (organ, piano, vocals) and Joe Koinzer (drums, percussion). This line-up was completed by Jürgen Argast (bass) and Helmut Ruesch (guitar). After a few month, Jürgen and Helmut left and Rainer Bodensohn took over bass and flute. These young and enthusiastic musicians, all well educated on their instruments from an early age, developed a complex and refined music style. Influenced by the likes of Jethro Tull, Caravan, Soft Machine and Frank Zappa not to mention Jimi Hendrix, Beatles and Rolling Stones the boys created a varied and exciting music, which diverged from the well-travelled tracks of kraut and progressive rock. After only a few gigs, the musicians had gained a considerable local reputation, but were hungry for more.

At that time, Rainer's father was as a flutist with the Baden-Baden Symphony Orchestra, while Eddys father was involved with the Baden-Baden casino orchestra both of which had strong ties with SWF-radio station. In 1969 SWF started their talent search for up-and-coming bands organised by presenter Walther Krause. It was not surprising that Fashion Pink became the first young band in a long series recording sessions for SWF. Walther Krause appreciated Fashion Pink's work especially the talent of Roland Schaeffer so much, that he engaged him as a producer for further bands in the sessions series.

All in all, Fashion Pink were invited four times to record under live/studio conditions at SWF-studio U1 in Baden-Baden. During their sessions in 1970 and 1971 Fashion Pink recorded some cover versions in addition to their own material.

This collection concentrates on their own compositions and shows the band's development from song-oriented psychedelic material to more complex arrangements, which ended in epics in excess of ten minutes (titles such as "Thesen-Antithesen" and "Brainstorming"). Copies of the sessions were sent to concert agents and to various German labels. This added to the band's reputation and Fashion Pink played at the first Straßbourg festival in early 1971, this was followed by further festivals and many gigs in southwest Germany in and around the french border.

Following a gig in early 1971 their van was involved in an accident  from which Harald Wagner (bass) never entirely recovered forcing him to leave the band. Harald had joined Fashion Pink at the end of 1970 allowing Roland and Rainer to concentrate on their own main instruments. The remaining members decided to continue as a quartett and change the group's name. Second choice "Fashion Prick" caused trouble when the band tried to sign a record deal and Roland suggested the name "Brainstorm".

German label Intercord accepted and offered them a two album contract. In October 1972 Brainstorm released their first album "Smile A While" followed by "Second Smile" in summer 1973 ... but that's another story.

Roland Schaeffer is the only founding member of Fashion Pink still active in the music business, playing guitar and saxes in one of Germanys most famous progressiv rock bands Guru Guru.

by Manfred Steinheuer, September 2000 

Tracks
1. You Make Me Crying (Roland Schaeffer) - 3:23
2. Cry In The Morning (Roland Schaeffer) - 4:04
3. Einzug Der Elefanten (Arrival Of The Elephants) (Roland Schaeffer, Rainer Bodensohn) - 2:45
4. You See (Eddy Von Overheidt) - 2:45
5. Number Six (Roland Schaeffer, Eddy Von Overheidt, Rainer Bodensohn, Joe Koinzer) - 5:54
6. Why Am I So Blind (Roland Schaeffer, Eddy Von Overheidt, Joe Koinzer) - 5:31
7. Shit Is Nothing Changing (Roland Schaeffer, Eddy Von Overheidt, Rainer Bodensohn, Joe Koinzer) - 5:04
8. Watch Time Flows By (Roland Schaeffer, Eddy Von Overheidt) - 3:05
9. You Knock Me Out (Roland Schaeffer, Eddy Von Overheidt, Rainer Bodensohn, Joe Koinzer) - 3:05
10.Herbst (Autumn) (Roland Schaeffer, Rainer Bodensohn) - 3:29
11.Brainstorming (Roland Schaeffer, Eddy Von Overheidt, Rainer Bodensohn, Joe Koinzer) - 10:23
12.Thesen-Antithesen (Roland Schaeffer, Eddy Von Overheidt) - 13:57

The Fashion Pink
*Roland Schaeffer - Saxophones, Vibraphone, Guitar, Bass, Vocals
*Eddy Von Overheidt - Organ, Piano, Vocals
*Joe Koinzer - Drums, Percussion
*Jürgen Argast - Bass
*Helmut Ruesch - Guitar
*Rainer Bodensohn - Bass, Flute

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Sameti - Hungry For Love (1974 germany, great tough raw 'n' roll, 2010 digi pak remaster)

Sameti was founded in 1970 by the late Shrat (Christian Thiele, ex-Amon Düül) & Harris Johns in Munich/Germany and became part of the so called "German Underground". They played at the legendary PN-club in Minich and a couple of festivals like the first "Herzberg" Festival and the "Erstes deutsches progesssives Popfestival" at the Sportpalast in Berlin. 

After a few month Shrat left the band. The rest carried on as a trio, but only for some month. 

The original band produced a music with trippy Amon Düül II and Hawkwind stylings, and is especially notable for the stunning improvised side-long work "Anotherwaytosee Improvisation". Shrat's vocals, only heard rarely in Amon Düül II, come across as most strange, adding a unique touch to a highly derivative blend of Krautrock styles.

Tracks
1. Intro - 1:25
2. Do You Really Love Me - 2:57
3. We're Gonna Make You Feel Allright - 3:27
4. Sweet Angel - 5:43
5. Peppermint Bar - 2:49
6. Ain't Got No Peace - 4:16
7. Save Me - 3:43
8. I'm Not A Looser - 3:49
9. Baby Please Love Me - 4:15
10.More And More - 8:41
All songs by Christian Thiele, Jorg Evers, Bernd Weber, Robby Heibl

The Sameti
*Christian Thiele (Shrat) - Lead Vocals
*Daniel Alumno - Drums
*Jorg Evers - Guitar, Vocals
*Robby Heibl - Bass, Vocals
*Bernd Weber - Guitar, Vocals

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Paul Butterfield Blues Band - Live In White Lake, NY (1969 us, awesome blues brass rock, 2015 release)

This is a part of Rock 'n' Roll Music History, recordings made in Woodstock 1969 (last day on August 18th), including a couple of unreleased songs.

Tracks
1. Intro 01:07
2. Born Under A Bad Sign (William Bell, Booker T. Jones) - 13:38
3. No Amount Of Loving (Paul Butterfield) - 6:12
4. Driftin’ And Driftin’ (Charles Brown, Johnny Moore, Eddie Williams) - 12:08
5. Morning Sunrise (Paul Butterfield, Philip Wilson) - 8:00
6. All In A Day (Rod Hicks) - 9:03
7. Love March (Gene Dinwiddie, Philip Wilson) - 10:07
8. Everything’s Gonna Be Alright ("Little" Walter Jacobs) - 9:58

The Paul Butterfield Blues Band
*Paul Butterfield - Vocals, Harmonica, Piano
*Buzzy Feiten - Guitar
*Rod Hicks - Fretless Bass, Background Vocals
*Philip Wilson - Drums
*Ted Harris - Keyboards
*Keith Johnson - Trumpet
*Steve Madaio - Trumpet, Background Vocals
*Gene Dinwiddie - Soprano, Tenor Sax, Background Vocals, Lead Vocal (Track 7)
*Trevor Lawrence - Bariton Sax, Background Vocals

Paul Butterfield's mosaic
1964  The Original Lost Elektra Sessions
1965  The Paul Butterfield Blues Band
1966  East West
1966  East-West  (2014 Audio Fidelity Hybrid SACD) 
1966-68  Strawberry Jam
1967  The Resurrection Of The Pigboy Crabshaw
1968  In My Own Dream
1969  Keep On Moving
1970  Live 
1970  Live Vol.2 
1971  Sometimes I Just Feel Like Smilin' (2015 Release)
1973  Paul Butterfield's Better Days
1973  Live At Winterland Ballroom (2014 issue)
1973  It All Comes Back (Japan Edition)
1976  Put It In Your Ear (2015 Edition)

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Procol Harum - Procol Harum (1967 uk, gorgeous psychedelic rock with baroque and prog tinges, 2015 deluxe double disc set and 2012 japan HQCD expanded issue)

The self-titled Procol Harum marked the album debut of the band then consisting of Gary Brooker (vocals/piano), Robin Trower (guitar), Matthew Fisher (organ), David Knights (bass) and B.J. Wilson (drums).  (Brooker, Trower and Wilson had all previously played in The Paramounts, the group that scored a minor U.K. hit in 1964 with Leiber and Stoller’s “Poison Ivy.”)  With all but the closing track, Fisher’s “Repent Walpurgis,” penned by the team of composer Brooker and lyricist Keith Reid, Procol Harum heralded bold new voices in the British rock scene with its progressive blend of psychedelia, classical and blues idioms.  

The LP, produced by Denny Cordell and released on Regal Zonophone, had been preceded by two single releases.  May 1967’s “A Whiter Shade of Pale” reached No. 1 in the U.K. in June and stayed in that position for six weeks.  (Guitarist Ray Royer, whose tenure in the group was short-lived, played on “Whiter Shade.”)  “Homburg” then followed in October, making No. 6 on the pop chart.  Surprisingly by today’s standards, neither song was included on Procol Harum in the U.K., but “Whiter Shade” was added to the LP for its U.S. release.  It replaced “Good Captain Clack” in a reshuffled sequence.  “Whiter Shade” would make No. 5 in the U.S., with “Homburg” performing less impressively at No. 34.

Esoteric has Procol Harum, remastered from the original mono tapes (no stereo version exists), available in both 1-CD and 2-CD iterations.  The single disc has the original 10-track U.K. album plus four bonus tracks – the singles “A Whiter Shade of Pale” b/w “Lime Street Blues,” and “Homburg” b/w “Good Captain Clack.”  This edition is seven tracks short of Salvo’s 2009 version of this LP.  However, Esoteric also has the album in a 2-CD deluxe edition with 15 bonus tracks – seven of which are previously unreleased and two of which are making their CD debuts.  

The seven previously unreleased cuts encompass the band’s 1967 BBC performances for Top Gear and Easybeat.  The other bonuses include B-sides, alternate takes and stereo mixes.  Henry Scott-Irvine provides the new liner notes, and the 2-CD set also includes a facsimile promotional shop poster made for the release of the album in January 1968.

by Joe Marchese

Tracks

Disc One - Original Album Released as Regal Zonophone LRZ 1001 in January 1968

1. Conquistador - 2:33

2. She Wandered Through The Garden Fence - 3:21

3. Something Following Me - 3:33

4. Mabel - 1:50

5. Cerdes (Outside The Gates Of) - 4:59

6. A Christmas Camel - 4:42

7. Kaleidoscope - 2:49

8. Salad Days (Are Here Again) - 3:33

9. Good Captain Clack - 1:25

10.Repent Walpurgis (Matthew Fisher) - 4:04

11.A Whiter Shade Of Pale (Single Version) (Gary Brooker, Matthew Fisher, Keith Reid) - 4:04

12.Lime Street Blues (Single Version) - 2:50

13.Homburg (Single Version) - 3:52

14.Good Captain Clack (Single Version) - 1:28

15.Alpha - 3:50

16.Salad Days (Are Here Again) (Instrumental March 1967) - 4:12

17.Understandably Blue - 3:29

18.Pandora's Box (Instrumental) - 3:05

19.Cerdes (Outside The Gates Of) (Alternate Mono Mix) - 4:45

20.Something Following Me (Alternate Mono Mix) - 3:38

All Songs by Keith Reid, Gary Brooker except where noted

Bonus Tracks 11-20

Disc Two

1. A Whiter Shade Of Pale (Extended Early Version, March 1967) (Gary Brooker, Matthew Fisher, Keith Reid) - 6:04

2. Homburg (Extended Stereo Version) - 5:33

3. Repent Walpurgis (Extended Stereo Version, August 1967) (Matthew Fisher) - 7:27

4. Conquistador (1971 Stereo Mix) - 2:39

5. She Wandered Through The Garden Fence (1971 Stereo Mix) - 3:27

6. Something Following Me (Stereo Mix) - 3:47

7. Mabel (Undubbed Stereo Mix) - 1:55

8. Kaleidoscope (Stereo Mix) - 3:08

9. Cerdes (Outside The Gates Of) (Stereo Mix) - 5:23

10.Homburg (1971 Stereo Mix) - 3:56

11.Morning Dew (Bonnie Dobson, Tim Rose) - 3:11

12.A Whiter Shade Of Pale (Gary Brooker, Matthew Fisher, Keith Reid) - 5:12

13.Mabel - 1:37

14.Homburg - 3:50

15.Good Captain Clack - 1:17

16.She Wandered Through The Garden Fence - 3:12

17.Kaleidoscope - 2:27

All Songs by Keith Reid, Gary Brooker except where stated

Tracks 11-13 BBc "Easybeat" Session, June 1967

Tracks 14-17 BBC "Top Gear" Session, September 1967

Victor Japan Hqcd 2012 Edition

1. Conquistador - 2:35

2. She Wandered Through The Garden Fence - 3:22

3. Something Polliwog Me - 3:34

4. Mabel - 1:51

5. Cerdes (Outside The Gates Of) - 5:00

6. A Christmas Camel - 4:43

7. Kaleidoscope – 2:49

8. Salad Days (Are Here Again) - 3:34

9. Good Captain Clack - 1:26

10.Repent Walpurgis (Matthew Fisher) - 4:55

11.A Whiter Shade Of Pale (Gary Brooker, Matthew Fisher, Keith Reid) - 4:06

12.Lime Street Blues - 2:51

13.Homburg - 3:53

14.Good Captain Clack - 1:29

15.Il Tuo Diamante - 3:23

16.Understandably Blue - 3:30

17.Pandora's Box - 3:43

18.Alpha - 3:48

19.Conquistador - 2:38

20.She Wandered Through The Garden Fence - 3:25

21.Homburg - 3:54

All Songs by Keith Reid, Gary Brooker except where indicated

Procol Harum
*Matthew Fisher - Organ
*Dave Knights - Bass
*B.J. Wilson - Drums
*Robin Trower - Guitar
*Gary Brooker - Piano and Vocals
*Keith Reid - Lyrics
On "A Whiter Shade of Pale" only
*Ray Royer (in place of Trower) - Guitar
*Bill Eyden (in place of Wilson) - Drums

Related Act
1973-76  Robin Trower - Tale Untold, Chrysalis Years (3 disc box-set, 2010 remaster bonus tracks issue)

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Brain Police - San Diego's Only Psychedelic Cops (1964-69 us, magnificent rough garage psych rock, 2000 extra tracks issue)

So much great music gets banished to the vaults, and that includes Brain Police’s demo album. Recorded in 1968, the disc should have fallen into the mitts of a major label, but apparently the stars were simply not aligned the moment the project materialized.

The album, which though reissued in 2000 by Shadoks Music is now duly deemed a real rarity, has been reissued a few times here and there, but there’s no argument this collection is the finest of the pack.

Chock full of hard and heavy action, Brain Police clearly had its sights set on attracting the burgeoning underground market of the day. Not only were the San Diego, California band’s chops on fire, but they also had the songs to match such flash and fury. Comprised of original compositions, Brain Police continually showcases how imaginative the group was when it came to cobbling together compact arrangements and crowning them with muscular melodies.

The interplay between the smoking guitars, fierce drumming and crunchy keyboards is truly something to behold. Powerful vocals, quaking with emotion fit perfectly with the band’s bold and brash stance.

Spilling forth with catchy curves that curl round and round, “Election For Mayor”/”Ride My Train Of Love” further zones in on the band’s knack for harmonizing. Charted of sweeping rhythms and jittery breaks, “I’ll Be On The Inside If I Can” partners psychedelic motifs with progressive rock patterns, while “Getting Too Much Higher” and “My World Of Wax” tremble and explode with dazed and confused illusions devised of teeth-gnashing acid-baked riffs.

Shades of the Jimi Hendrix Experience, Cream, Iron Butterfly, Steppenwolf, Blue Cheer and even the Who frequently arise in the grooves of Brain Police, but originality is definitely at a premium. The band’s character and personality shines through on each track, leaving the listener impressed and breathless.

As the cherry on the sundae, the record features singles the group cut prior to evolving into Brain Police. First known as the Man-Dells, the band demonstrates their affection for the swinging sounds of Merseybeat to charming effects on “Bonnie” and “Oh No.”

The group soon changed their name to the Other Four, turned into a hot local act and delivered superb efforts like the moody, Byrds flavored “Searching For My Love,” the sparkly Hollies styled “These Are The Words” and “Once And For All Girl,” a springy garage pop rocker sure to woo “Nuggets” and “Pebbles” fans.

by Beverly Paterson

Tracks
1. Election For Mayor / Ride My Train Of Love - 5:18
2. I'll Be On The Inside, If I Can (Rick Randle) - 3:27
3. I'd Rather See You Dead (Rick Randle) - 3:50
4. Find Me A Moment - 2:59
5. Getting Too Much Higher - 3:42
6. Adler (Rick Randle) - 3:30
7. Gypsy Fast Woman (Rick Randle) - 5:54
8. I'll Find Love - 4:21
9. There's A Light Over The City - 2:39
10.My World Of Wax - 3:16
11.World Of Wax - 2:42
12.Smoking At Windsor Hill - 3:02
13.Bonnie - 2:51
14.Oh No - 2:06
15.Why? - 2:12
16.Searching For My Love - 2:08
17.These Are The Words - 2:00
18.Once And For All Girl - 2:15
19.Your Ma Said You Cried In Your Sleep Last Night - 2:12
20.How Do You Tell A Girl - 2:30
All songs by  Norman Lombardo except where stated
Tracks 13-14 as The Man-Dells
Tracks 15-20 as The Other Four

The Brain Police
*Norman Lombardo - Vocals, Bass
*David Randle - Lead Guitar
*Rick Randle - Vocals, Organ, Guitar
*Sid Smith - Drums
With
*Benny Bennett - Percussion

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Traffic - John Barleycorn Must Die (1970 uk, superb classic album, japan SHM and 2011 deluxe double disc edition)

After disbanding the original version of Traffic, a 22 year old Steve Winwood emerged from the tumultuous over-hype and eventual self-combustion of Blind Faith in 1970 still owing Island records two albums. Initially conceived as his first solo project, the singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist quickly called in Traffic cohorts drummer Jim Capaldi and reed man Chris Wood to help flesh out the sound. The result was the reformation of Traffic (minus Dave Mason) and a top five entry in the US charts, the act’s best selling and highest ranking stateside set at the time.

Forty-one years later, it holds up remarkably well. This deluxe edition spiffs up the sound with terrific remastering, keeping the original six track, 35 minute program on disc one and adding a second platter with three alternate takes (worthwhile for collectors but hardly essential) along with a November 1970, 40 minute Fillmore East live performance, professionally recorded and intended for release but scrapped.

Winwood is clearly the focus and driving force on the studio selections with his guitar, organ and piano lines interweaving on longer compositions that combine the upbeat and moody jazz flavors of “Glad” with the dreamy, pulsing soul-rock of “Every Mother’s Son” and the dusky traditional acoustic British folk of the title track. The latter story song with its narrative voice doesn’t mesh in the context of the other more introspective tunes but reveals a different, more roots oriented angle to the band’s music.

The concert adds bassist Rick Grech, recently from Blind Faith, to the trio as they spin through peppy, extended versions of older gems such as “Medicated Goo,” “Forty Thousand Headmen,” and a stretched out, funky “Who Knows What Tomorrow May Bring.” The closing 21 minutes including nearly 15 dedicated to a medley of Barleycorn’s “Glad” and “Freedom Rider” provide room for Traffic to stretch out and loosen up. They jam and interconnect with the focused intensity of professionals brimming with talent, youthful enthusiasm and a joy of playing that even four decades later remains edgy, rousing and contagious.

by Hal Horowitz

Tracks
Original Album 1970
1. Glad (Steve Winwood) 6:59
2. Freedom Rider (Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi) 6:20
3. Empty Pages (Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi) - 4:47
4. Stranger To Himself (Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi) - 4:02
5. John Barleycorn (Must Die) (Traditional, Arr. Steve Winwood) - 6:20
6. Every Mother's Son (Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi) - 7:05

Japan SHM Bonus Tracks
4. I Just Want You To Know (Jim Capaldi, Steve Winwood) - 1:30
7. Sittin' Here Thinkin' Of My Love (Jim Capaldi, Steve Winwood) - 3:3
8. Backstage And Introduction (Jim Capaldi, Steve Winwood) - 1:50
9. Who Knows What Tomorrow May Bring (Jim Capaldi, Steve Winwood, Chris Wood) - 6:56
10.Glad (Steve Winwood) - 11:29
Demos Tracks 4, 8.
Tracks 7, 9, 10 live recordings on Fillmore East 18th November 1970

Disc 2 Deluxe 2011 Edition 
1. Stranger To Himself (Alternative Mix) (Jim Capaldi, Steve Winwood) - 4:09
2. John Barleycorn (Must Die) (First Version) (Traditional, Arr. Steve Winwood) - 5:05
3. Every Mother's Son (Alternative Mix) (Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi) - 7:03
4. Intro - 1:44 (This Is The Same As Backstage And Introduction From The 1999 Reissue)
5. Medicated Goo (Steve Winwood, Jimmy Miller) - 4:17
6. Empty Pages (Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi) - 4:47
7. 40,000 Headmen (Jim Capaldi, Steve Winwood) - 4:30
8. Who Knows What Tomorrow May Bring (Jim Capaldi, Steve Winwood, Chris Wood) - 5:16
9. Every Mother's Son (Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi) - 7:00
10.Glad (Steve Winwood) / Freedom Rider (Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi) - 14:30
Tracks 5-10 recorded live at The Fillmore East, 18th and 19th November 1970

The Traffic
*Steve Winwood – Hammond Organ, Piano, Bass, Percussion, Acoustic, Electric Guitars
*Chris Wood – Saxophone, Flute, Percussion
*Jim Capaldi – Vocals, Drums, Percussion, Tambourine
With
*Ric Grech – Guitar, Bass

1969  Traffic - Last Exit (SHM remaster)
1971  Traffic - Welcome To The Canteen (SHM remaster)
1973  Traffic - On The Road (SHM remaster)
Related Acts
1965  The Spencer Davis Group - Their First LP (Japan bonus tracks release) 
1966  The Spencer Davis Group - The Second Album (Japan bonus tracks edition) 
1966  The Spencer Davis Group - Autumn '66 (Japan bonus tracks edition) 
1966-68  Deep Feeling - Pretty Colours  
1970  Dave Mason - Alone Together (Japan remaster) 
1971  Dave Mason And Cass Elliot (2008 remaster)
1972  Dave Mason - Headkeeper (Japan SHM-CD 2010 remaster) 
1972  Jim Capaldi - Oh How We Danced (2012 extra track edition) 
1973  Dave Mason - It's Like You Never Left  
1976-77  Dave Mason - Certified Live / Let It Flow (2011 double disc edition)  

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