BUX-WE COME TO PLAY-

Once recordered in 1973 but not released until 1976 this is the proof how record companies put profit before art and Music interest.

Guitarist Punky Meadows and bass player Mickie Jones had a great success with their other band “Angel” which made Capitol records  to postpone this interesting recording. With Ralph Mormon on vocals this is straight forward Hard/blues/boogie rock album with no further fuzz. Great production by Jack Douglas gives a well deserved soundframe and a the songs are strong but nothing to top the charts with except maybe “White Lightning”. This tune would later reappeare on Angels third album with different lyrics and  reshuffled arrangement.  The Guitars are great and the rhythm section is splendid with nice keyboard fills here and there.

The big question mark is how this album would have made it back in ´73 when it was originally recorded? I think that we would have had a Winner in this genre. Not to glammy, a Little dose of melodic rhythm´s, so I would put this one more towards Deep Purple´s “Burn” and there are worse records out there.. 🙂

Whatabout the drummer, Rocky Isaac, there´s a great flow in this man´s playing and the striking abilities are sweet as candy. Nice timing and Clean interaction together with the bass player just brings the perfect beat to this outfit. Bold techniques in some places gives a professional impression to this recording. Terrific work!!

This albums is just the alterego to Angel´s albums and brings a historical view to what happened in the beginning. If you´re into Hard/blues/boogie rock from early 70´s this is a milestone in the twilight zone with excellent guitar playing, great vocals and hard to beat rhythm section.

This is a must have record for those about to rock. Great copies are out there but be prepared to put in a few more bux(!) for a nice good copy.   🙂

VINYLRATING/GRADE

6-GOOD!-WORTH BUYING-

THE HUMAN INSTINCT-STONED GUITAR-

The most famous prog/psych/blues/hard rock band from New Zeeland got to their peak in popularity in 1970 with their second release. If you the ask avarage Joe about bands from New Zeeland 9 out of 10 would give you “Crowded house”so this outfit certainly deserves a better recognition.

Maurice Greer was fronting his own band at the beginning, often billed as “the teenage wonder drummer” and got a talent as a high note vocalist too. Together with old high school friend Billy Te Kahika in 1969 and bass player Peter Barton which was replaced for Larry Waid who plays in this recording the resemblemce of Jimmy Hendrix is eminent on this great album. The high ranking got a lot to do with “Billy TK´s” extra ordinary guitarslinging and WahWah orgy´s. The producing is a bit thin and lacks sustain to get the right ignition and the overall impression is a that the album sounds older than it is. The songs are a different story. This a highfuelled Prog/psych/blues/hard rock album with great, strong songs and excellent craftmanship. Great work!!

Whatabout the drummer, Maurice Greer?? As this is both the vocalist and drummer there will be additional Points for that!! This is a top notch drummer with great impact, faboulus striking abilities and smooth drive which pushes all other bandmembers into glory!!

Take your time to listen to some Heavy groove inputs, Lightning fast drumrolls and fills and yet with a dynamic feeling unpresidented in New Zeeland by this time. EARCANDY… 🙂

This album is a precious gem for all Acidheads and ProgHippies out there. A remarkable reminder that everywhere on this big blue ball of a planet, the Power of prog/psych/blues/hard rock is Always present, alive and well……Kiwi Wonderband!! 🙂

VINYLRATING/GRADE

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

SHAGGY-LESSONS FOR BEGINNERS-

Sometimes albums just falls right in front of you as it was ment for you to get. This glorious piece from the Swedish outfit Shaggy was released in 1975 with an Englishman on keyboard and an Austrian drummer.

Heavy influenced by Deep Purple, Lucifer´s Friend and Uriah Heep the album itself stands out as a fresh Hard/prog/blues based rock album with personal attitude towards the strong songs and a great drive amongst the members of the band. Interest from both Nazareth and Sweet to both cut covers and produce their next album gives a hint that this is not just your next door rock´n´roll band. The production is a bit dry and as Always got a bit of time wearness to it. The audio is Clean and the vocals are interacting fine with a great guitarsound. All in all a positive reaction. Very nice.

Whatabout the drummer, Kurt Käsner?? This Austrian drummer is a perfect fit as he´s a krautrock schooled drummer. Fast interaction, great delivery, terrific striking abilities and a pusher for the rest of the band. You can pick up a lot of great inspiration from this excellent drummer. A recommendation!!   🙂

If you´re into 70´s Hard/prog/blues rock with a strong, melodic songs this is a goldmine!! The low distribution of this album makes it a very rare gem amongs collectors and the price tag is high, (at least 4 figures)  The original master tapes are still in the bands possession, so maybe there will be a reissue of this Swedish masterpiece due to the rise of vinylrecord interest? We just have to wait and see.

VINYLRATING/GRADE

-6-GOOD-WORTH BUYING-

THIRD WORLD WAR-THIRD WORLD WAR-

The first impression I had on this album was that I  got over a postpunk album with a mix of blues/hard rock influences but to my surprise, we are dealing with what I would reckon to be; the first prepunk album by this Brittish outfit from 1971.

According to Wikipedia following information can be read:

“Formed in 1970 by manager and producer John Fenton together with songwriters Terry Stamp and Jim Avery. Fenton came up with the band’s name and provided a large part of its musical direction; Phill Brown, the recording engineer on the band’s first album, quotes him as saying, “I want a no-bullshit, working class band—I’ve had enough of all this pseudo peace crap.”

And how true this is, the guitars are on fire with a fiersome interaction with the vocals and the bass is providing a steady Foundation together with the drums. All extra input by piano and brass segments, justifies this as more of  a Hard/blues/punk record than later releases in the punk movement. The production is raw with a tidy soundframe which brings out a timeless  album. Terrific!!  🙂

Whatabout the drummer, Fred Smith?? This drummer brings a steady avarage style of drumming to the album but the there is nothing exiciting to add here.Striking is clear but with some hesitation on timing and delivery at some places. He was later replaced and that comes as no surprise.

As this outfit released another album Before dismantling itself, this is the one to get. An obscure album way Before it´s time and some true sounding songs with social political lyrics about the every day life in Britain in late 60´s. Splendid in my opinion.

If you are into Garage/blues/punk/hard rock Music from the mid 70´s this is a must have due to it´s Before time sightings and social engagement. I LIKE IT!! 🙂 As a Music Entertainment piece there are better albums out there so maybe an exploring grade is fair enough but try it, you might like it!!

VINYLRATING/GRADE

-5-OK!-WORTH EXPLORING-

CARSON-BLOWN-

As rare as it might seems the Australian blues scene Always kept a good sense of interesting recordings for you to listen to. This release from 1972 is a true milestone in early 70´s blues albums and the influence from Canned heat, with a better structure ovarall, is eminent and just plain great. Broderick Smith who is in charge of harmonica and vocals just light up this recording with impressive perfomance.  The Songs are really strong with a seasoning of funk/soulmix that is very hard to persist. Toetappers are everywhere and the feeling that you´re listening to an American brassfueled bluesband is just awesome.

The producing by Rod Coe has no what so ever wear of time so, a big chunk of thank you on his great achievment on this asskicker of an album. All musicians are on the edge and brings out the best of eachother and you can actually hear that this is for real..Splendid!!

Whatabout the drummer, Tony Lunt?? This fellow got what it takes. Superb timing and his drive and Dynamics leaves no one untouched. The striking is perfect and his technical abilities are up with the best in this genre. Solid as a ROCK!! 🙂

If you´re a blues/prog/funk/soul freak this is a piece you just got to get. I have a great deal of American blues records but this is a fresh reminder not to underestimate the Power from down under. Marvelous!!

VINYLRATING/GRADE

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

CARGO-CARGO-

Unarguably the most famous progrock band from Holland and the answer to everyone´s question is, yes, there are a touch of medicinal herbs to this release from 1972.

Set off under the name September and with a few single recordings, that left no mark in Music history, this self titled album, after a deserved name change, turned things up a notch or two. Brothers Ad and John De Hont, both on guitar, delivers with great familiar resemblence of Wishbone Ash. A great production to the album gives the Brothers a chance to shine in very good Twin guitar interaction. Superb!!

Standout tune would be “Cross talking” where the guitars shreds away in harmony with a Powerful Hammond organ like a thundeourus  steamtrain. Wonderful !! Bass player Willem DeVries sometimes give the impression of a steamroller on the run. Awesome playing and drive and vocals for that matter… 🙂

Cargo must be recognized in the same breath as Rush, Tractor and Jericho. This is a profund landmark in European prog/psych/hard rock.

Whatabout the drummer, Dennis Whitbread?? This English drummer is a guy to rely on. Spot on delivery, great striking ability´s and clear as a bell technical skills. This is something for the kids to Catch up on. Cargo´s history involves a lot of different drummers but it is my opinion Mr. Whitbread who brings down the crowds, easily!!

If you´re into early Prog/psych/hard rock with a tense to step into krautrock territory this ones a solid gem to your record Collection. Great copies is out there and don´t let the coffe shop smell discourage you into purchase. Expand your boundries!!

VINYLRATING/GRADE

6-GOOD!-WORTH BUYING-

BURNING PLAGUE-BURNING PLAGUE-

Around the turnover from hippie 60´s to the more prog 70´s every nation in the western hemisphere had a national traditional bluesband. Even so in Belgium .

Released in 1970 this outfit just match this comparison to a full. The Continent was brimming with great bluesacts thanks to the British invasion during the later half of the sixties. Burning Plague is a tough mix of hard/blues/boogie rock and they keep the torch high. This first release came after several years of touring both Belgium and Europe. Thanks to standout tunes like “A38” and “Mystical song” the album sold a whooping 10 000 copies. Impressive!!

The production is timetypical with a fresh clear soundframe and great guitar interaction with the rhythm section. The vocals are inspired by Cream and in some way John Mayall´s Bluesbreakers. This album is not your standard blues album but more of a bluesbased standard rockalbum. It stands out from other acts and keeps that the narrow thin line on the right side  of not becoming a parody. Very Good!!

Whatabout the drummer, Wille Stassen?? The resemblence to a hard driven shadow man to Bill Ward from Black Sabbath is eminent.The drive is ok but there´s a lack of striking Dynamics, clear input at the right time on so on. A better drummer would have raised this album even further and then again it´s not bad.

After a tour of Zaïre together with Danny Lademacher’s Kleptomania the group got disbanded and in 1992 they got back together and are still in business.

Great copies are out there and if you fancy European style hard/blues/boogie this is a true guiding light in that musicswamp But i´t just reaches the bar of exploring, no more.

VINYLRATING/GRADE

-5-OK!!-WORTH EXPLORING-

GOLD-MISSION ROCK-

As a centerpiece of the San Fransisco musicscene back in 1970 this outfit had to wait until 2002 Before their debut was released and it´s a live recording to… thumbs up!!

The band was one of the hottest without a record deal and much of their great Music craftmanship came from playing for benefitting cause as for example in San Quentin. In 1971 they played at an anti-Vietnam War Moratorium rally at Golden Gate State Park which drew over 150,000, sharing the bill with Big Brother & The Holding Company. Also, in 1970 they played at a notorious Hells Angels party along with Big Brother, Full Tilt Boogie and Janice Joplin.  This album contains a blues/prog/psych/hard rock mix of time typical songs with splendid vocals and impressive guitar playing with a great groove bass. The production has been cleaned and gives a justified impression. Very nice!!

Whatabout the drummer, Louis Gorseau?? Fasten you´re seatbelt because you´re in for a groove ride. A great delivery and good Clean striking achievment awaits on this album. Great help from percussion and congas brings this album up a bunch of notches!! Funky beats with impressive drive and great Dynamics brings a smile to your face. Most impressive!! Standing ovations!!

Sadly the band dissolved a couple of years later due to lack of a record deal and inner strains among bandmembers. Looking back on their history, this is a one of the best achievments from a garage band to almost make the break.

As there are great albums out there this is a must have if you´re into American westcoast blues/prog/psych/hard rock from the timeperiod. Awesome is the Word!! 🙂

VINYLRATING/GRADE

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

FINCH-THUNDERBIRD-

As you might have figured out by now the Australian musicscene is Close to my heart and there´s a good reason for that. As other Music markets overseas, the Aussie market Always had their own sight of things and took advantage to release albums that would be rejected in other countries, not really affected what was popular in the rest of the World. This gave a chance to underground bands to get a taste of album/recording sessions on the same terms as the big acts. A great achivment in rock Music history. 🙂

This release from 1976 Counts as a classic release from the country down under. A great mix of hard/blues/Southern/Heavy rock with a Comfort layer upon its production. The resemblence to Deep Purple kind of funkrock style is eminent but not intentional. The songs are strong with great drive and impressive vocal skills from Owen Orford.

A Very catchy album in Dynamics and variousity. This is a great record and has a splendid Before its time production. Glorius!!

Whatabout the drummer, Peter McFarlane?? This is a great drummer who takes advantage of the record session. Great technical delivery, strong in his confidence, striking abilities and Dynamics. He´s the reason the album has such a timeless approach. This is one of Australias best drummers and you can pick up a toolbox of tricks from this Demon player. FANTASTIC!

The advice is just crystal clear; BUY this album. This is a frontrunner of the “album of the year” from 1976 in this category. If you don´t got it, there is no excuse why you haven´t bought it yet.

Worth all of your hard earned pay and if necessary , starv…. 🙂

VINYLRATING/GRADE

-9-EXCELLENT-HEAD ON RIGHT BETWEEN THE EYES COLLISION WITH A FREIGHT TRAIN-

TEAR GAS-TEAR GAS-

The second album from this Scottish outfit, originated from Glasgow bears the Foundation what later would become The Sensational Alex Harvey Band. Released in 1971 this is a Hard/prog/Heavy rock album with few memorable higlights but yet an interesting mix of songs Worth to explore.

Known as “Mustard” in the beginnig, this album cemented their reputation in the underground scene. Former member Wullie Monroe left the band. Ted McKenna from the freshly collapsed Dream Police replaced on bass. Eddie Campbell quit for whatever reason and was not instantly replaced. Alex Harvey got a guestspot as musician and there are uncredited keyboard from Ronnie Leahy on different places on the album. The album was released on the Regal Zonaphone label and has a great production to it. A solid soundframe appears but the songs never reach the mountain peak, though the material is above avarage. This is probably the main reason for the lack of sales succes.

Whatabout the drummer, Ted McKenna?? This bloke is a Heavy input with avarage striking and familiar delivery. Nothing great to bring home to the kitchen table and a weak fit for this outfit. Perhaps Another drummer would have pushed the band into another level of performance?? Hard to say, but here´s nothing that will go down in history as in great performance.

This album is for the one who just can´t get enough all those pre/hard/prog/Heavy albums from the early´70´s. As a historical timepiece this is a great rock album and Believe me when I say that there are worse albums out there. I just can´t give a go ahead on purchase but please explore, especially “Love Story”…Outstanding tune…  🙂

VINYLRATING/GRADE

-5-OK!-WORTH EXPLORING-