VINEGAR JOE-ROCK´N´ROLL GYPSIES-

Released in 1972 this is an interesting listen to what Robert Palmer was doing Before his successful solo career. Blues/pop/funk rock Music is the big signum of this record and it Always hits high places when it comes to obscure albums of the early 70´s.

The album contains Three covers and the outstanding recording of Jimi Hendrix “Angel” puts the spotlight on Elkie Brooks, a very nice interpretation. The production is flawless but with some signs of wear over time, not to bad, it works. Looking back in the rearview mirror you can see that the direction is clear for Mr. Palmer.

Standout song would be “Getting to the Point”, nice double interaction on the vocals and actually a feeling that the rest of the band are having some fun. If you´re looking for some ideas to bring back to the rehearsal room don´t bother finding it on this album. The feeling overall is that they never really nailed it in the studio and for that sake, you will enjoy watching live clips on Youtube instead. An impressive sight.

Whatabout the drummer, or drummers, John Woods and Keef Hartley??? Well some bands must get the leftovers and on this album they certainly did. Weak impact with no suprises just puts their effort on the bottom of the scale. This is the most boring set of songs I´ve ever Heard on this side of the millenia. Frankenstein´s monster could do a better job. Embarrasing…

Should you get this album? No. Only if you´re into mellow blues/pop/funk songs maybe this one´s up your Alley. Elkie Brooks once stated -“Vinegar Joe made me a Rock chick, cocaine and brandy helped too”….Well she´s kind of hot when you look at those old videoclips…. I´ll give you that… 🙂

VINYLRATING/GRADE

4-CHEESY-AVARAGE-

TITANIC-EAGLE ROCK-

Released in 1973 this is the third release from the Norwegian outfit Titanic. Maybe seen as their best album release, this record does have its ups and downs.

British vocalist Roy Robinson is the jam in the roll here and there´s no pretending that the guitarist Janny Loseth upsets things. This is a very well played album on the guitar. The rest of the band lives an anonymous Life on this recording.

Standout track would be “One night in eagle rock”, a very nice and vibrating tune that promise a bit more than the rest of the album. This is a wellbuilt album in the production as the real S/S Titanic, but as in real life, they forgot to put in the stuff such as descent material on the album. This is in that sense a sinking ship from the beginning to the end. To Bad, it could have been a big succes.

And whatabout the drummer, John Lorck?? Well it´s a descent work throughout the album but nothing to show for, except maybe, your mother. Great sound on the production doesn´t help the feeling of a studio musician just doing his job. (Read “get me my cash”)…There are some nice tryouts to lift the album but the whole thing doesn´t fall through. A bit cheesy..

The benefits of this record is the Scandinavian sound/song Writing style. A bit of prog seasoned in the tunes and the feeling of real nice Comfort sofa style.

If you´re going apeshit for 70´s hard/prog rock Music don´t buy this record , you will be disappointed. But it´s a true gem if your exploring the roots to later bands like”Gasoline “or maybe even “Råg i Ryggen”.

VINYLRATING/GRADE

4-CHEESY-AVARAGE-

A FOOT IN COLD WATER-A FOOT IN COLD WATER-

Released in 1972 and recorded the same year this outfit originated from Toronto Canada.

A mix of musicians from local bands like; Nucleus, Lords of London and Island they sat of to embark A Foot In Cold Water with a record deal with Daffodil Records. The name does reflect a question if anyone gets the chills…?

A chart hit with “Make me do anything you want” launched the band into a good start but  the single didn´t reflect the style of the album. This is a Hard/blues/prog record that foremost is a concern for guitarist Paul Naumann. He´s an excellent guitarist with no flaws whats so ever. Vocalist Alex Machin impresses with a terrific voice in every tune.

Standout tunes would be “Yalla Yea” and “In Heat”, personal and a bit more to the Heavy side  of things.

Whatabout the drummer, Danny Taylor?? The impression of a soft hitting nowhere to Place man  appears. Anxious and no powerful impact is to be found on this album. Sounds like a sunday morning hangover rehearsal. The production of the album is in the same kind of catagory, a bit lame, radio friendly crap. To bad, because there are some good songs on the album.

If you´re into Hard/blues/prog rock with a soft tone and don´t want to upset your neighbours, this is an album for you. For the rest of you musiclovers out there, it´s only Worth exploring.

VINYLRATING/GRADE

5:-OK!- WORTH EXPLORING-

BOOMERANG-BOOMERANG-

Released in 1971 this outfit is most famous for founding member Mark Stein, keyboard/vocalist from Vanilla Fudge.

Another rare thing is the guitar player Richard Rameriz who´s just a youngster (15 years!) on the recording of this album. He delivers a very mature and personal impression. Excellent playing!

Gone are the progressive structure of Vanilla Fudge and a real rock´n´roll album is presented on your turntable. Cool double interaction on the vocal parts brings the edge of timelessness to the album. Great guitar playing and I must agree, that this album certainly inspired David Coverdale in his singing technique later in Deep Purple.

The producing is really flawless and up to date. The screaming noise from that Hammond B3 organ is just plain ear candy… 🙂

Whatabout the drummer, James Galluzi?? This is a lesson in hard drive and great impact. Nothing is too much and all in all he´s doing a tremendous job. This is just appropriate to the the young, hotshot guitarslinger Richard Rameriz. To bad this is the one and only album and the end for the very gifted guitarist career.

This is an album to get. It will not disappoint you in any way and the only thing you could wish for, is that it would contain more than just seven songs.

Great reissues are out there so lets get cracking´… 🙂

VINYLRATING/GRADE

7-VERY GOOD!!-GAME,SET AND MATCH-

BLUES PILLS-BLUES PILLS-

Released in july 2014 this is a true gem of oldies but Goldies melodies. Originated from Örebro in Sweden back in 2011 this is their first album with a great impact in Hard/blues/prog/psych rock.

A fantastic vocalist in Elin Larsson brings the right edge to a thunderous bass playing by Zach Anderson  and as Cream on top of the cake, the wonderboy guitarist Dorian Sorriaux. His playing style reminds a bit of Ritchie Blackmore´s with a soft touch and then a heavy rhythm beating. Awesome.

The album spans from pure blues numbers to straight hard/Heavy rock songs with a touch of melancolic feeling to it. Really well performed and producing is top notch.This is just what the doctor will order you when you´re feeling a bit knocked down, a Blues Pill for your recovery..very hard to resist.

The benefits of the the band is really  in their live performence, try to see them live and you will catch an out of body experience when Elin Larsson opens her throat..unbelieveble.

Whatabout the drummer, Corey Berry?? Well his contribution is some of average on the album and with a bit of frensy style to it. Heavy impact with a touch of anxious Dynamics leaves a hesitation all over the album. I am not really certain he knows what direction to go. Still it fits to the album but could have been better. Maybe that´s why he has been replaced by André Kvarnström…??

This is a great debut album and if you´re in for the Hard/blues/prog/psych kind of English flavoured Music this is right up your Alley. Cool vinyls are out there and the cover sleeve is an funky reminder of the late 60´s. Not a bad purchase.

VINYLRATING/GRADE

6-GOOD!-WORTH BUYING-

ANGEL WITCH-ANGEL WITCH-

Released in 1980 this outfit originated from London. A significant record from the NWOBHM that got great reviews at its release but the band had already begun to crack at the Foundation.

Headmaster of the band Kevin Heybourne wrote, sang and contributed with great guitar playing and bass player Kevin”Skids” Riddles put both great playing and keyboards on the album. After a serious turntable swingaround a certain pattern appears. Many of the bands later to come  in the mideighties could be traced back to this album.

Standout tracks would be titletrack “Angel Witch”,”Angel of Death” and “Sorcerers” but in all every song is very strong on this fantastic album.

A sudden question appears of what could have been. To sad nor fame or fortune appeared but  maybe some justice will remembered as this is one of the greatest album of the NWOBHM.  A true guiding light that no longer shines.

Whatabout the drummer; Dave Hogg?? It is with great confidence his playing is unwrapped on this album. Nothing brilliant in the way of technique but true impact and a sense of “I MEAN THIS” His playing style contributes as much as the next to this massive album. Perfect lenght on the album leaves you with a feeling of disappointment. Like a premature goodbye on a saturday night date with expectations of shagging. Sensational melancolic…

It´s a must to recommend you to buy this album, if you´re a metal/hardrock connoisseur. For no money at all there´re good copys to find and you will take part of a real shapeshifter in Heavy/hard rock Music at the beginning of the 80´s.

VINYLRATING/GRADE

8-EXCELLENT-HEAD ON RIGHT BETWEEN THE EYES COLLISION WITH A FREIGHT TRAIN!

ELECTRIC CITIZEN-SATEEN-

Released june 1 2014 this is a really nice album. Originated from Cincinnati Ohio this four piece band brings the heritage from stoner/doom bands like Black Sabbath and Pentagram and like a shot in the arm they revive the genre in public. An electrifying experience..

Without falling in to the commercial trap of heaviness, this album mix both folk and psychadelic influences in an excellent way. The production is flawless. Vocalist Laura Dolan sets the mood in her very personal way of singing. The rest of the instruments just fits right in to this mood and they  are all doing a splendid job. The suggestive keyboards are brought to us by guest apperence by Yussef Quotah.

Whatabout the drummer, Nate Wagner?? Well you can hear that this is not the drummer who´s responsible for this great album. Cautious and almost anxious is the feeling towards the songs. The album would have benefitted from a bit more attitude on the drums. The playing is nowhere near bad but as I reflect due to listening it fall into a kind of void. Maybe this is a producer item but it lacks some raw Power.

It´s easy to recommend you to buy this album. Everything falls into Place after a couple of spins on the turntable and I must confess that I long for another play when record is over.

VINYRATING/GRADE

7-VERY GOOD!!-GAME, SET AND MATCH-

BLOOD OF THE SUN-DEATH RIDE-

Hailing from Fort Worth in Dallas Texas US this album was released in 2008. Mixing hard/prog/Southern/psych rock a lá 70´s style this is a a very good album.

Much of the identity comes from the keyboard player Dave Grider without whom this band would have a difficult time to survive in the competition in this genre. Rocketfuelled organsound with roaring guitars and a very distinctive singer in Derek St. Holmes brings the mood of the 70´s to a top notch level.

The band has released four albums and this is the one to get if you have never heard this outfit before. Funkadelic playing, as catching as the clap at the cathouse, brings out the air-guitarist in you and dancemoves you thought you never possessed.

The debate goes on if their into Stoner doom metal but that´s an unfair comparison by my book. There´s nowhere near the heaviness to make such a remark but all opinions are subjective.

The albumcover suggest a timemachine travel back to the roaring 70´s and it´s one of the coolest covers I´ve ever seen. What you see is what you get, faboulus!! 🙂

Whatabout the drummer, Henry Vasques?? Tremendous playing is the key here and it feels like his Life is depending on the delivery that he makes. It´s almost like he´s been hit by a last chance warning  because he´s playing like the devil. At some Point the coordination is a bit weak and it certainly depends on the overload that Mr. Vasques  puts into some of the songs. The overall impression is great, there´s drums everywhere and that is really nice to hear. Splendid!!

This is a must have record if you´re into American 70´s sound of hard/Southern/prog rock. As much as there is a touch of Bloodrock, Atomic Rooster, Deep Purple there is a fresh sound brought into this millenium. There´s hope afterall.

VINYLRATING/GRADE

7-VERY GOOD!!-GAME, SET AND MATCH

JERICHO JONES-JUNKIES MONKEYS & DONKEYS-

Released in 1971 this outfit got their roots from Israel but moved to Britain prior to this albums release. Changeover their name more than once, this is the only album under the name Jericho Jones which was later shortened to just Jericho.

This a pretty good album with a bit of soft touch to all the songs. That said, it don´t take the edge of the songwriting but there´s something missing here.

Vocals are under avarage and the guitarsound lacks a bit of “fuzziness”. The production could overall be seen as hasty work because of the lack of depth or punsch to the songs. Do take time to investigate this album ´cause there are things to pick up though.

Standout tracks would be “Man in the crowd” and “Freedom” Heavy influences from Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath but very personal and a bit exciting.

Whatabout the drummer, Ami Treibich?? Solid, cautious playing is the reference here with none or maybe little to bring to the table. It has its reason due to the thin production but in general a bit of an anxious impression.

This album is a hidden gem when it comes to collectors interest and as almost nobody remembers this outfit so prices are way up on original issues.

Lucky for us there are reissues for descent blue collar Money, but I have to advise caution . If you´re into to Hard/prog/psych rock with a gentle touch this is something to put your Money on. Otherwise there are better rockalbums out there.

VINYLRATING/GRADE

5 OK!-WORTH EXPLORING-

MOSES-CHANGES-

Released in 1971 this Three men outfit originated from Esbjerg Denmark. Having a record deal with one of Europes most shortlived labels not only put the band under strain but it never served them any consistensy.

This is very nice album with heavy influences from Cream and Jimi Hendrix in a very positive way. The Foundation of the album commence in Hard/psych/blues tunes that suffers a bit of nonfantasy guitarsolos. Guitarist Soren Hojberg sounds a lot like an young Tony Iommi but with a much more fuzzy guitarsound. Bassplayer Jorgen Villadsen is performing on a high level. The production is near the timeperiod with a great Clean sound but maybe a bit flat sound of the drums. Overall it´s a pretty good listening.

Whatabout the drummer, Henrik Laurvig??? As both vocalist and drummer he´s doing a tremendous job keeping the band forward and with good technique. The weak part of this recording is the lack of powerful impact but it fits the soundpicture of the album.

As recordlabel spectator burnt to the ground in 1972 this is a rare Classic from the label and an original copy of this album is very hard to find. Luckily there are nice reissues for descent Money so the recommendation would be to invest in some nice Holy moses songs.

VINYLRATING/GRADE

6-GOOD!-WORTH BUYING-