The Troggs - Hip Hip Hooray (1968-73 uk, unique collection of rockers and ballads plus a pair of Reg Presely solo items, 2004 digipak remaster)

Hip Hip Hooray is actually a retitled and slightly resequenced reissue of the Troggs' 1968 U.K. album Mixed Bag (which never came out in the United States), tacking on 11 CD bonus cuts from 1970 and 1973 singles. The original title Mixed Bag was an appropriate description of this rather scrapheap assembly, as it wasn't really a regular album. Instead, it was a budget-priced compilation matching eight songs that appeared on British and American singles in 1968 with four others that made their first appearance on the LP. Although all but one of the tracks was a Troggs original ("Hip Hip Hooray" being the lone exception), and although there were a few solid cuts, overall it was disappointing due to the weakness and surprisingly low energy of many of the songs. "Hip Hip Hooray" was somewhat puerile bubblegum, and "Little Girl," a small British hit, was a lame attempt by Reg Presley to keep milking the pop ballad style he'd used the much better effect in earlier hits like "Love Is All Around."

In brighter news, the old salacious Troggs sound surfaced to good effect in "Say Darlin'"; "You Can Cry if You Want To" was one of Presley's better soft numbers; and both "Purple Shades" and "Maybe the Madman" were two of the band's best ventures into psychedelia, albeit of the rather tongue-in-cheek sort. All of the best numbers, however, were the ones most likely to show up on later best-of compilations, making Hip Hip Hooray only of interest to collectors and completists. Repertoire certainly does such collectors a service, however, by adding a pile of rare 1970 and 1973 singles onto the disc, as well as three tracks from Reg Presley solo singles of the era. Alas, none of the bonus cuts are too good or memorable (the heavy "Feels Like a Woman" is the most well known), documenting a period when the band's original force and raunch were getting diluted amid a clutch of substandard material. 

by Richie Unterberger

Tracks
1. Hip Hip Hooray (Geoff Stephens, John Carter) - 2:17
2. You Can Cry If You Want To - 2:50
3. Say Darlin' (Chris Britton) - 2:44
4. Marbles And Some Gum (Pete Staples) - 2:03
5. Purple Shades - 2:22
6. Heads Or Tails (Chris Britton) - 3:41
7. Surprise Surprise - 2:46
8. Little Girl - 2:56
9. Maybe The Madman (Chris Britton) - 2:11
10.Off The Record (Pete Staples, Ronnie Bond) - 3:42
11.We Waited For Someone - 2:49
12.There's Something About You (Ronnie Bond) - 2:40
13.Lazy Weekend (Reg Presley, Tony Murray) - 3:23
14.Let's Pull Together - 2:47
15.Young And Beautiful (Ronnie Bond, Reg Presley) - 2:53
16.Everything's Funny (Chris Britton, Reg Presley) - 2:10
17.Feels Like A Woman - 3:30
18.Listen To The Man - 3:15
19.Queen Of Sorrow (Richard Glenmoore) - 2:39
20.Strange Movies - 2:54
21.I'm On Fire (Richard Moore) - 2:12
22.'S Down To You Marianne (Roger Cook, Roger Greenaway, Geoff Stephens) - 3:10
23.Hey Little Girl (Roger Cook, Roger Greenaway) - 2:52
All songs by Reg Presley except where noted
Bonus Tracks 13-23
Tracks 15, 22, 23 Reg Presley solo recordings

The Troggs
*Ronnie Bond -  Drums
*Chris Britton - Lead Guitar
*Reg Presley - Lead vocals
*Peter Staples - Bass

1966  The Troggs - From Nowhere (2003 bonus tracks)
1967  The Troggs - Cellophane (2003 bonus tracks)
1966-76  Troggs - Archeology (double disc)

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Noel Harrison - Collage (1967 uk, wondrous baroque folk psychedelia, Vinyl edition)

The son of actor Rex Harrison, Noel Harrison was born In 1934. As a teenager he joined the Ipswich repertory theatre group and taught himself guitar, but his main interest was sport and most of his spare time was spent skiing in Switzerland. 

At an early age he was a member of the British ski team, becoming its first giant-slalom champion in 1953 and representing Britain at the Winter Olympics in Oslo in 1952 and  Italy in 1956, competing in both down-hill and slalom events.

Noel also did his National Service and, after leaving the army in the fifties, toyed with the idea of becoming a journalist, but instead he concentrated on his guitar.

When he was 20, he started playing professionally, around the tables in a Greek restaurant in London, for meals and tips.

He also made a living playing in bars and nightclubs all over Europe, including appearances at the famous Blue Angel Club, where one show was recorded for a live album.

But his early break came in 1958 when he took a regular part in the BBC TV programme Tonight, as part of a team who sang the day's news in a calypso style.

He left England for America in 1965, working as a nightclub entertainer at such venues as San Francisco's Hungry I and at the Persian Room in New York

Thanks to his managers Bob Chartoff and lrwin Winkler, who went on to produce the Rocky films, he had a record hit the charts, A Young Girl, written by Charles Aznavour. The song was included on his first studio album, Noel Harrison, which was released in 1966.

Noel's first album for Reprise features three Beatles covers, one Dylan song and one by Leonard Cohen. 

Subtitled “Noel Harrison Sings Songs of Today and Tomorrow” it includes a number of Noel’s best tracks, including his wonderful cover of Leonard Cohen's Suzanne as well as the beautiful People in the Rain and Woman.

His version of the Beatles classic, Strawberry Fields Forever, is also pretty good as is the unusually titled Mrs Williams' Rose.

In their review on October 28, 1967, Billboard magazine said: "Featuring his current single Suzanne, Noel Harrison has a good chart package in this 12-cut album, which also includes his single Mrs William’s Rose. Several recent hits are given unusual treatment, such as Procol Harum’s A Whiter Shade of Pale, which gets a distinct dance beat."

On October 19, 2013, Noel played a gig in the village of Black Dog in Devon. Following a long drive home he had a heart attack and was taken to hospital. Sadly, he died in hospital on Sunday, October 20, aged 79. On Tuesday, October 29, Noel was buried in a woodland close to his home in Devon.

Tracks
1. Suzanne (Leonard Cohen) - 2:55
2. Just Like A Woman (Bob Dylan) - 3:45
3. People In The Rain (Geoffrey Stevens) - 2:35
4. Woman (Bernard Webb) - 2:22
5. Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds (John Lennon, Paul McCartney) - 2:48
6. Sign Of The Queen (Michael Brewer, Tom Shipley) - 2:40
7. Museum (Donovan Leitch) - 2:03
8. A Whiter Shade Of Pale (Gary Brooker, Keith Reid) - 2:54
9. Go Ask Your Man (Bob Lind) - 2:02
10.When I'm 64 (John Lennon, Paul McCartney) - 2:27
11.Mrs Williams' Rose (Geoffrey Stevens) - 2:35
12.Strawberry Fields Forever (John Lennon, Paul McCartney) - 3:00

*Noel Harrison - Vocals

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Ofege - Try And Love (1973 nigeria, fantastic afro fuzz psych rock, 2008 remaster)

Always when it comes to Africa, we immediately think of Afrobeat or traditional music, not always based on electrical resources. This is a very common ethnocentric view that minimizes or excludes the great musical accomplishments of this continent.

The Afro Rock pioneered in the late 60s (Osibisa, Assagai) subverted this condition leading the western pop into a new tinge of elements, the boys were aware of all this when they decided to make a band.

Credited as The Ofege Phenomenon, they were formed in a 70s school from St. Gregory’s College, Obalende, Lagos, (all between 15-17 of age). Their music was largely influenced by the guitar solos of Carlos Santana, Jeff Beck and the criss-cross rhythms of Osibisa (Ghanaian band formed in London).

The ‘IM’ highlights are for: Gbe Mi Lo, a wild and uncompromising instrumental tune with bits of funky elements that are dissolved into a psychedelic effect, the overall guitar work here are insanely great, with heavy fuzz and swinging rhythm.

And Lead Me On a closing track with naive lyrics and straight rock pace, delivering some raw solos and the usual beat that accompanies the whole album. The ingenuity allied with the inexperience of its members makes this album a real treasure.

Tracks
1. Nobody Fails - 4:24
2. Whizzy Ilabo - 3:32
3. Gbe Mi Lo - 4:15
4. Try and Love - 4:19
5. It's Not Easy - 4:25
6. Ofege - 4:00
7. You Say No - 4:09
8. Lead Me On - 3:23
All Music by M-Ike Meme, Lyrics by Melvin Ukachi, except track #6 Lyrics by Paul Alade

Ofege
Melvin Ukachi - Lead Vocals
Berkley Jones - Lead Guitar
Felix Inneh - Rhythm Guitar, Vocals
Dapo Olumide - Keyboards
Paul Alade - Bass, Vocals
M-Ike Meme - Drums, Vocals

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The Quiet Five - When The Morning Sun Dries The Dew (1965-67 uk, woderful melt of swinging baroque psych surf roots 'n' roll, 2005 remaster)

Both sides of all six of the singles issued by this obscure British band between 1965-1967 (including one released only in the U.S.) are on this compilation, which also presents seven previously unissued tracks. With their clean-cut, American-influenced vocal harmony sound, the Quiet Five weren't too comparable to many other British Invasion bands; perhaps the Fortunes and Peter & Gordon, a bit, though they were earthier than the Fortunes and not as folky as Peter & Gordon. The influences of the Beach Boys and Merseybeat are also felt to varying degrees. 

While the material is uneven, and isn't stunning, it's a pretty respectable slant on the more lightweight side of the mid-'60s British Invasion. Certainly their moody, folky debut single, "When the Morning Sun Dries the Dew," is a highlight, akin to Peter & Gordon in their more serious moods, making one wish Quiet Five singer/guitarist Kris Ife had penned more of the group's releases. 

The more energetic B-sides "Tomorrow I'll Be Gone" (a quite tough Merseybeat-flavored number) and the soul-pop-Mersey hybrid "Let's Talk It Over" are also quite satisfying, if not typical of the approach the band usually took. Indeed, the Quiet Five's versatility sometimes worked against rather than for them, as they also delved into unimpressive updates of standards, limpid pop, and a not so hot cover of the fine Rolling Stones LP track "I Am Waiting." Still, there are more enjoyable cuts here than duds, including an uncharacteristically fuzzy stomper with lead vocals by P.J. Proby, "Didn't Give a Damn," among the unreleased items. Overall, it's a pleasantly worthwhile compilation, and recommended to British Invasion collectors trying to discover something new from the vaults, as the Quiet Five are a band about which even many serious British Invasion fans might remain unaware. 

by Richie Unterberger 

Tracks
1. When The Morning Sun Dries The Dew (Kris Ife) - 3:16
2. Tomorrow I'll Be Gone (Adams, B. Mason) - 1:59
3. Honeysuckle Rose (Teddy Razef, Fats Waller) - 2:10
4. Let's Talk It Over (Brian Henderson) - 2:18
5. When The Morning Sun Dries The Dew (Originall Demo) (Kris Ife) - 2:50
6. Homeward Bound (Paul Simon) - 2:28
7. Ain't It Funny What Some Lovin' Can Do (Powers, Keller) - 2:05
8. Gotta Find My Girl (Unreleased) (Unknown) - 2:30
9. Trying Too Hard (Unreleased) (Unknown) - 2:54
10.I Am Waiting (Mick Jagger, Keith Richard) - 2:46
11.Without You (Crispian St. Peters) - 2:29
12.Red Hot Scrambler Go (Bigelow, Paxton) - 2:22
13.I Understand (Pat Best) - 2:53
14.Fun Fun Fun (Unreleased) (Wilson) - 2:08
15.Willow Tree (Unreleased) (Kris Ife) - 2:29
16.Didn't Give A Damn (Unreleased) (Unknown) - 2:23
17.Just For Tonight (Mike Julien, Alan Moorhouse) - 2:20
18.Goodnight Sleep Tight (Kris Ife, Alan Moorhouse) - 2:43
19. Mess Of Blues (Unreleased) (Doc Pomus, Mart Shuman) - 4:08
Tracks 12-13 as  The Fabulous Quiet Five
Track 16 by P. J. Proby

The Quiet Five
*Richard Barnes - Bass, Lead Vocals
*John Howell - Piano, Organ, Backing Vocals
*Kris Ife  - Rhythm Guitar, Vocals
*Tex Marsh - Drums
*Roger McKew - Lead Guitar
*Ray Hailey - Drums
*John "Satch" Goswell - Saxophone
*P.J. Proby - Vocals (Track 16)

Related Act
1969  P.J. Proby - Three Weeks Hero 

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John Mayall - Thru The Years (1964-71 uk, outstanding blues rock)

A grab bag of rare tracks from the '60s, some of which stand among Mayall's finest. His debut 1964 single Crawling Up a Hill is one of his best originals; this comp also includes a couple of 1964-1965 flipsides. The eight songs featuring Peter Green include some top-notch material that outpaces much of the only album recorded by the Green lineup (A Hard Road), particularly the Green originals Missing You and Out of Reach, a great B-side with devastating, icy guitar lines and downbeat lyrics that ranks as one of the great lost blues-rock cuts of the '60s. The set is filled out with a few songs from the Mick Taylor era, the highlight being the vicious instrumental Knockers Step Forward. 

by Richie Unterberger

Tracks
1. Crocodile Walk (John Mayall) - 2:14
2. My Baby Is Sweeter (Willie Dixon) - 2:59
3. Crawling Up A Hill (Version One) (John Mayall) - 2:15
4. Mama, Talk To Your Daughter (J.B. Lenoir) - 2:58
5. Alabama Blues (J.B. Lenoir) - 2:29
6. Out Of Reach (Peter Green) - 4:42
7. Greeny (Peter Green) - 3:54
8. Curly (Peter Green) - 4:50
9. Missing You (Peter Green) - 1:57
10.Please Don't Tell (John Mayall) - 2:26
11.Your Funeral And My Trial (Sonny Boy Williamson II) - 3:55
12.Suspicions (Part One) (John Mayall) - 2:47
13.Knockers Step Forward (John Mayall, Mick Taylor) - 3:12
14.Hide And Seek (John Mayall, Hank Williams) - 2:22

Personnel
*John Mayall - Guitar, Harmonica, Keyboards, Organ, Vocals
*Peter Green - Guitar, Harmonica, Vocals (4-11)
*Mick Taylor - Guitar (12-14)
*Roger Dean - Guitar (1, 2)
*Bernie Watson - Guitar (3)
*John McVie - Bass (1-4, 6-11)
*Paul Williams - Bass (12)
*Tony Reeves - Bass (13-14)
*Hughie Flint - Drums (1-2)
*Martin Hart - Drums (3)
*Aynsley Dunbar - Drums (4, 6-11)
*Keef Hartley - Drums (12)
*Jon Hiseman - Drums (13-14)
*Dick Heckstall-Smith - Tenor Saxophone (12-13), Soprano Saxophone (12)
*Chris Mercer - Tenor Saxophone (12-13)
*Henry Lowther - Trumpet (13)

1966  John Mayall Bluesbreakers With Eric Clapton (Japan SHM double disc set)
1967  John Mayall And The Bluesbreakers - A Hard Road (Double Disc Set)
1967  John Mayall's Bluesbreakers - Crusade (2007 SHM remaster with extra tracks)
1968  John Mayall - Blues From Laurel Canyon (2007 Japan SHM remaster)
1969  John Mayall - The Turning Point (Remaster And Expanded)
1972  John Mayall - Moving On (2009 remaster)
1967  Various Artists - Raw Blues

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Tempest - Under The Blossom The Anthology (1973-75 uk, spectacular tight prog rock, 2005 double disc set)

Holdsworth and Williams left before Tempest’s second album "Living In Fear". Their replacement was more than a match for any musician. Ollie Halsall was a fine vocalist and keyboard player and it is certainly a measure of the rrtan that he replaced two musicians by himself.

The recruitment of Halsall was a slight move back towards jazz (ironically in view of Allan Holdworth's subsequent jazz-orientated career with Gordon Beck, Soft Machine, Gong, Bruford, and solo). He had begun his career in Timebox, a soulpop group featuring the brilliant vocalist Mike Patto, who cut several sides for Pye and Oecca, moving from soul to psychedelia (and often showcasing Halsall's excellent vibes playing). Weary of lack of success, they changed their name to Patto, and cut a string of equally unsuccessful but absolutely brilliant jazz-rock albums, wherein Ollie Halsall became a by-word for fiery jazz soloing with an avant-garde edge.

So "Living in Fear" was no less of an album that its predessor, but was a different beast. One again, Hiseman and Clark laid down complex rhythms over which Halsall laid down some startling textures. Unlike "Tempest", it is an album which has dated well. That is not to say that the first album sounds old, but rather to say that the second Tempest line-up achieved a kind of timelessness.

After a short but interesting career (like getting mobbed at the Venice Festival in '75. In recent years, he has played mainly jazz, and is still partially recovering from a heart attack suffered in 1988. Mark Clarke went on to work with Uriah Keep and Rainbow, while Ollie Halsall formed Boxer with Mike Patto, worked on Eric Idle's "The Rutles", and became more left field than ever. But we still have the music: "Grey and Black", "Funeral Empire", "Waiting For a Miracle", and "Brothers" still sounds great today!

by Andy Boot

This two-disc set takes the full recordings of Tempest's lone two releases and puts them on one disc. Hard-rocking as any of their peers, Tempest also brought a jazzier side to their sound, no doubt in part to Allan Holdsworth's involvement. The second disc contains two previously unreleased tunes and the much in-demand BBC sessions that have been traded with great frequency (and of much lower quality) by collectors. 

by Rob Theakston

Tracks
Disc 1 
1. Gorgon (Jon Hiseman, Mark Clarke, Allan Holdsworth) - 5:43
2. Foyers Of Fun (Jon Hiseman, Mark Clarke, Allan Holdsworth) - 3:41
3. Dark House (Jon Hiseman, Mark Clarke, Allan Holdsworth) - 5:03
4. Brothers Jon (Jon Hiseman, Allan Holdsworth) - 3:37
5. Up And On (John Edwards, Allan Holdsworth) - 4:19
6. Grey And Black (Mark Clarke, Susie Bottomley) - 2:30
7. Strangeher (Mark Clarke, Jon Hiseman) - 4:07
8. Upon Tomorrow (Clem Clempson, Jon Hiseman) - 6:44
9. Funeral Empire (Ollie Halsall) - 4:25
10.Paperback Writer (John Lennon, Paul McCartney) - 2:30
11.Stargazer (Mark Clarke, Susie Bottomley) - 3:36
12.Dance To My Tune (Mark Clarke, Susie Bottomley) - 7:50
13.Living In Fear (Ollie Halsall) - 4:19
14.Yeah Yeah Yeah (Ollie Halsall, Jon Hiseman) - 3:40
15.Waiting For A Miracle (Ollie Halsall) - 5:18
16.Turn Around (Mark Clarke, Susie Bottomley) - 6:12
Tracks 1-8 from LP Tempest 1973
Tracks 9-16 from LP Living In Fear 1974

Disc 2
1. You And Your Love (Mark Clarke, Ollie Halsall) - 4:19
2. Dream Train (Jon Hiseman, Mark Clarke, Ollie Halsall) - 4:41
3. Foyers Of Fun (Allan Holdsworth, Jon Hiseman, Mark Clarke) - 6:56
4. Gorgon (Allan Holdsworth, Jon Hiseman, Mark Clarke) - 8:41
5. Up And On (Allan Holdsworth, John Edwards) - 7:39
6. Grey And Black (Mark Clarke, Susie Bottomley) - 3:38
7. Brothers  (Allan Holdsworth, Jon Hiseman) - 15:25
8. Drums Away (Jon Hiseman) - 7:26
9. Strangeher (Jon Hiseman, Mark Clarke) - 5:58
Tracks 1-2 Previously Unreleased  recorded April 1974
Tracks 3-9 BBC Radio One Pop Spectacular concert, recorded 2nd June 1973  at Golders Green Hippodrome, hosted by Alan Black

Tempest
*Jon Hiseman - Drums, Percussion
*Mark Clarke - Bass, Vocals
*Paul Williams - Vocals
*Allan Holdsworth - Guitar, Violin
*Ollie Halsall - Guitar, Moog, Piano, Vocals

1974  Tempest - Tempest (2011 remater)
1973-74  Tempest - In Concert (2013 release)
Related Acts
1967-69  Timebox - Beggin' (2008 remaster)
1968  Zoot Money - Transition
1969  Igginbottom - Igginbottom's Wrench
1970  Juicy Lucy - Lay Back And Enjoy It
1969 Colosseum - Valentyne Suite (2004 deluxe expanded edition) 
1969  Colosseum - Those Who Are About To Die Salute You (2004 remaster and expanded)
1970  Colosseum - Daughter Of Time (remaster with bonus track)
1971  Colosseum - Colosseum Live (2016 double disc set remaster)

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Rich Mountain Tower - Can't You Feel It (1976 us, wonderful country rock, Vinyl edition)

While mixing their first record in Chicago, the band was asked by Ovation to begin work on their second album, Can’t you Feel It? Unfortunately, the label shelved the record, and the band wouldn’t record again until 1975. They continued to play around Knoxville and tour, opening for such acts as Steppenwolf, the Rascals, the Eagles, Steve Miller, the James Gang, Earl Scruggs, and the Four Seasons.

Tracks
1. Can You Feel It? - 3:36
2. Underneath The Train - 5:08
3. Bringing In This Morning - 2:59
4. Circle Sky Moon Mix - 4:17
5. Heaven Help The Beggar - 4:49
6. Men In Bondage - 4:32
7. Old Man David - 2:52
8. Billy The Kid - 5:48
9. Hundred Blessings - 3:48
All songs by Dana Paul

The Rich Mountain Tower
*Dana Paul - Keyboards, Lead Vocals
*David Carr - Lead Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
*Scott McClure - Bass
*Bob Tuccillo - Drums, Percussion
With
*Michael Fogerty - Vocals
*Butch McDade - Vocals

1971  Rich Mountain Tower - Rich Mountain Tower (2014 issue) 

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Heaven - Brass Rock One (1971 uk, sensational heavy prog jazz rock, 2019 japan blu spec bouble disc and 2008 remaster)

A nine man band with a five man horn section comprising everything from trombone to clarinet and flutes, two guitarists who where also the alternating lead singers (one harsh the other softer), a very dynamic drummer and a competent bass player; no keyboards except some acoustic piano on a couple of a tracks; all this translates in a muscular sound, often reminding B.S&T or Chicago not only because of the brass arrangements (which also have a soundtrack quality sometimes), but also on the vocals (an (even) more powerful David Clayton Thomas) or the guitar sound and style that sometimes reminds Terry Kath’s. But some amateurism is felt on some of the horn players, which are not so skilled as those in the aforementioned bands and that at times seem to struggle to get a fluid sound on the complex arrangements; the song writing is rich and diversified. 

The album starts with a Riff based Rock Blues, powered by a raucous double guitar attack and harsh vocals, with a swinging jazzy brass arranged middle part, and some adventurous wah filtered guitar;“This Time Tomorrow” is an instrumental track with a 6/8 Spanish feel, a softer acoustic guitar and flutes part, and a faster one with double e-guitar leads and nice horns harmonizing.Back to up tempo, this time with a Country feel and very Chicago-ish horns is “Never Say Die” whereas “Come Back” has a 60’s feel, soft voice and pop flavoured vocal line often broken by hi-speed drum fills, guitar, brass and flute urgent grooves and even a distorted guitar solo – somewhat surprising…

Things get more proggy with “Song for Chaos” that starts with a mid tempo pumping bass driven 60’s vocal feel, changes to harsh vocals over a driving jazz rock pattern, a quiet brass interlude, a ethnic hand clapped part, swinging brass arrangements with guitar solo on top, a calm Spanish trumpet part over piano backing, and then a rolling distant bass lays the basis for a raunchy guitar lead as the intro part resumes.

“Morning Coffee” is another instrumental with quiet flutes arrangements enriched by some brass over clear guitar chords; a nice octaves jazzy guitar solo graces the middle part. With “Number One” things get back to Jazz Rock with blistering guitar riffs, harsh vocals and blaring horns ,the some being true for “Number Two” which has a more swinging vibe (more B.S.&T sounding too).

“Dawning” that opens with sea and seagulls sounds has Yes like vocals over gentle double acoustic guitars arpeggios, piano backing and soaring flute lines; the sea sounds make the transition to “Got to Get Away” which starts with a melancholic bass fiddle soon joined by flugelhorn and clarinet; a bubbling bass introduces a vocal line on top gentle strummed e-guitar and staccato horns; it builds up with backing vocals and more horn arrangements; the drum enters to support a nice eastern sounding sax; Latin percussions and slide guitar chords and solos speed things up; the song climaxes with the two guitars trading solos and blaring horns as the vocals theme is reintroduced.

by Micheal Cooper

Tracks
Disc 1
1. Things I Should've Been (Eddi Harnett) - 6:19
2. This Time Tomorrow (Eddi Harnett, Terry Scott Jr) - 5:14
3. Never Say Die (Eddi Harnett) - 3:57
4. Come Back (Eddi Harnett) - 5:24
5. Song for Chaos (John James Gordon) - 7:41

Disc 2
1. Morning Coffee (A Theme to a Film) (Heaven) - 4:58
2. Number One (Last Request) (Heaven, Rikki Farr) - 4:58
3. Number Two (Down at the Mission) (Heaven) - 5:40
4. Dawning (Rikki Farr) - 5:13
5. Got to Get Away (Eddi Harnett) - 8:53
6. Hangin' On (Michael Waller) - 3:22
7. Funny Lines (Heaven) - 7:26
Bonus Tracks 6-7

The Heaven
*Terry Scott Jr - Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals
*Eddi Harnett - Guitars, Vocals
*John James Gordon - Bass, Vocals, Fiddle
*Vic Glover - Drums, Percussion
*Dave Gautrey - Flugelhorn, Horn, Trumpet
*Butch Hudson - Flugelhorn, Horn, Piccolo Trumpet, Trumpet
*Ray King - Saxophones, Flutes, Clarinette
*Derek Sommerville - Saxophones, Flute, Horn
*David Horler - Trombone, Piano

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Capability Brown - From Scratch (1972 uk, prog art rock with tight and complex harmonies, 2011 japan remaster)

Before coming together as Capability Brown (named after the famed 18th century British landscaper/gardener Lancelot Capability Brown), these guys had a rather impressive pedigree,  At different times Tony Ferguson, Joe Nevin, Grahame White and Roger Willis had all been members of Harmony Grass.  White had also been a member of Fuzzy Duck.  Kenny Rowe had been in The Moments (not the US soul outfit), while Roger Willis had been a member of The Gremlins.

The six members came together in 1971, eventually signing with Charisma which showed immense faith in the group's commercial potential (I'm saying that in a sarcastic way), releasing their debut single the same year; a cover of Russ Ballard's 'Liar' (Charisma catalog number BCP 7).  Ironically the flip side wasn't even a Capability Brown track, rather featured label mates Spreadeagle and their song 'Nightmare'.

Produced by Steve Rowlands, 1972's "From Scratch" featured an interesting blend of musical genres; occasionally layered in the same composition.  The lead off track 'Beautiful Scarlet' served as a perfect example of their dynamic approach, blending bits of top-40 pop with CSN&Y styled vocal harmonies (along with a wandering David Crosby-styled jazz lead guitar), and a modest progressive feel and structure (particularly the sci-fi inspired closing suite 'Sole Survivor').  The CSN&Y influences were even stronger on the rocker 'Do You Believe', 'I Will Be There' and the beautiful country-rock ballad 'Redman' (one of two Rare Bird covers).

At the other end of the spectrum the power pop ''No Range' sounded like something Chinn and Chapman would be writing for The Sweet in a couple of years.  While all of the original numbers were good, the standout tracks were various covers.  Though clocking in at over seven minutes it was a little too long, their version of 'Liar' crushed the Argent original and though it wasn't as poppy as the Three Dog Night version, has always struck me as being the best version.

Elsewhere while they were a little too fey for my tastes, even the ballads 'Garden' and 'Day In Day Out' (the latter sounding like something David Crosby would have written), were worth hearing for their gorgeous melodies and for the killer group harmonies.  Most bands would sell their drummer to be able to come even close and every time I hear those harmonies I can see where Freddie Mercury and Queen took much of their inspiration from.   All hyperbole aside, this is a lost 1970s classic.  Having listened to it dozens of times over the years I'm at still at a complete loss to explain why it tanked.  

Bad Cat

Tracks
1. Beautiful Scarlet (Mark Ashton, Dave Kaffinetti, Graham Field, Steve Gould) - 4:55
2. Do You Believe (Dave Nevin) - 4:30
3. The Band (Tony Ferguson) - 3:42
4. Garden (Tony Ferguson) - 3:24
5. Liar (Russ Ballard) - 7:15
6. No Range (Dave Nevin) - 4:08
7. I Will Be There (Tony Ferguson) - 3:26
8. Redman (Aaron Hall, Andrew Curtis, Dave Kaffinetti, Fred Kelly, Steve Gould) - 3:10
9. Day in Day Out (Dave Nevin) - 3:51
10.Sole Survivor (Tony Ferguson) - 9:48

Capability Brown
*Tony Ferguson - Vocals, Guitar, Bass
*Dave Nevin - Keyboards, Guitar, Vocals, Bass
*Kenny Rowe - Bass, Vocals, Percussion
*Grahame White - Vocals, Guitar, Bass
*Joe Williams - Vocals, Percussion
*Roger Willis - Vocals, Drums, Keyboards

Related Act 
Fuzzy Duck - Fuzzy Duck (2007 bonus tracks remaster) 

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Phil Trainer - Trainer (1972 us / uk, wonderful jazzy folk classic rock with Trees members, 2007 remaster)

Phil Trainer was an American folk-rock singer-songwriter. He released his first album when in the UK, with backing by members of UK folk group, Trees. It was originally released in 1972 and it is rated as a world classic of the genre by many.

Tracks
1. The Promise Mind - 3:39
2. Beautiful Jim - 5:56
3. No No No - 3:55
4. She's Gone West - 4:12
5. No Change Baby - 4:32
6. Stud - 3:15
7. In The City - 4:50
8. Leave Me Alone - 4:02
9. Rose-Coloured Sky - 4:19
10.Live Together - 9:29
All Music and Lyrics by Phil Trainer

Personnel
*Phil Trainer – Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Bass, Harmonium, Harmonica
*Barry Clarke – Electric Guitar
*Alan Eden - Drums
*Bias Boshell - Piano
*Barry Lyons – Dulainer
*Dick Parry – Tenor, Baritone Saxophone
*Chuck Fleming – Fiddle
*Celia Humphris – Angelic Vocals

Related Act
1970  Trees - The Garden Of Jane Delawney (2008 remaster with extra traks) 
1970  Trees - On the Shore (2007 remaster edition, with bonus disc) 

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