ROAD-ROAD

After leaving Fat Matress, Noel Redding started up this outfit that only released this album in 1972 and then dismantled themselves. This is a Psych/Hard/proto rock record with some of the best “Jam” sessions ever recorded. A totally uneven record with great highlights like “Mushroom man” and then some unexplainable fuzzadelic freakouts which maybe just flavour up this forgotten masterpiece.

Guitarist/vocalist Rod Richards is having a blast in some places and Noel Redding just follows through like there´s no tomorrow. Splendid!! The production is a bit muffled and got a bit of time wearness to it, but the vocals are in an excellent blend together with the faboulus guitarsound. The drums together with the bass, makes this a lethal powertrio!! Oxygen at hand to be recommended!!

The resemblence to heavier acts like Black Sabbath is eminent but not intentional. The personal edge towards the songs gives this album an unpresidented top spot amongs obscure records from the 70´s. A GOLDMINE in that sense.

Whatabout the drummer, Leslie Sampson??? As a true “tour de force” this fellow just puts all in to this record. Great striking abilities together with high octane technical skills gives you goosebumps. This is a “for the moment” driving guy that brings  the rest of the band into a positive spiral of terrific instrument handling. As the songs tend to bend in every different direction, the drums just follow suit and let´s nobody down. An excellent lesson in just in time delivery!!

This is one of the true obscure classics out there and if you´re into Psych/Hard/proto rock Music this is a top contender in that genre. Great reissues are out there so… Grab a copy and let yourself go and feel free, as the Music just brings you out in space… 🙂

VINYLRATING/GRADE

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

DEMIAN-DEMIAN-

Originaly named Bubble Puppy this outfit originated from Texas and as thousand´s of bands during the 60´s and 70´s they were mismanaged by their record label.

This album was released in 1971 after they changed their name and moved to LA. They quickly signed a new deal with ABC-Dunhill just to discover once again to be mistreated by the industry´s management and given record time in 10p.m. to 06 a.m. slots which put strains to everybody involved.

The album production have survived the time wearness and has a good polished sound to it and a great interaction between the guitar by Rod Prince/Todd Potter and vocals , which was shared. There are hints of the Beatles and Carlos Santana but all in all the drive and songs are very strong with a nice toetappers and no particularly low water mark. Very Good job!!

The no success on the chart finally grow to big and the band dismantled in 1972 but got together again in 1984 and recorded Another album released in 1987.

Whatabout the drummer, David Fore?? Well this fellow is as exciting as a pair of used underwear. Plain simple striking abilities with soft almost anxious drive with great hesitation. This is a guitar album and the drummer just go along for the ride. Sad….

Very poor input and nothing to bring home to the rehearsal room. Perhaps a more driven drummer would have brought this album up a notch or two.

Thanks to the great history of this band the album deserves a space here to its obscurity and great material. If you´re in for guitar driven Prog/Hard/blues/psych rock with a Heavy dose of TexMex guitarslinging this is a precious moment on the turntable. Great reissues are out there for affordable Money so this is a piece to investigate further.

VINYLRATING/GRADE

-6-GOOD!-WORTH BUYING-

HEAD OVER HEELS-HEAD OVER HEELS-

As probably one of the more obscure bands coming out of the US I just want to give you an extra cool input for the one hundred post on vinylanddrums!! Congratulations. 🙂

This Michigan Power trio released their only album in 1971 and what an album!! A hard/prog/blues/psych rock record that keep all flavors happy with great interaction between guitar/vocalist Paul Frank and bass player/vocalist Michael Urso. The mood in the songs bend like a willow tree from farout psych/hard rock to emotional soft numbers in geniuin dynamic rollercoaster. Priceless!!

The album was produced by Dan Moore and Buzz Clifford and it got a bit of timeware to it but the soundframe is forward with good guitarsound and terrific vocals. The drums are a bit dry and muffled but fit the retrospective tone of the album. The impression is all or nothing with a tough guitarriff dragon lurkin behind the bend..super!!  🙂

Whatabout the drummer, John Bredeau?? This is a pleasure to hear a fast interaction man with excellent drive, hard striking abilities with  super technical skill. When you reach this fun driven statement upon an album like this you just have to surrender. Pure joy!! 🙂

Great cover of “Little red Rooster” brings a big smile to my face and as you spin this hallelujah moment on your turntable the wish is that you have played on this album. This is one of the main reasons for this blog, to keep alive the true unheard classics so they don´t  will be forgotten.

If you´re in to the American rough rock scene by the start of the 70´s this a must have Emerald. Hard/prog/blues/psych rock just captured in it´s true raw essence is a rare thing to find in today´s records. Fantastic!! Great reissues are out there for no Money at all so hurry up Before more people discover this hidden treasure…

VINYLRATING/GRADE

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

TOEFAT-TWO-

Even though the band lost two of their most “namefamed” members before this recording it ment nothing in the way of developing their sound and Music from their first album.

Realeased in 1970 this is a Before it´s time album with strong Psych/prog/hard/blues rock ingredients. The strong vocals by Cliff Bennet and Heavy impact by lead guitarist Alan Kendall make this album a several listning adventure on your turntable. The production by Jonathan Peel got a best Before time label on it but at same time the soundframe is Clean and dynamic with great guitarsound and some nice left/right speaker mixing. A great experience!! The songs are strong with high low bar presence and excellent interaction together  with all the musicians.

The bands recordlabel EMI dropped the band after this release due to poor Sell´s figures and “not for believing in the Product”. The band dismantled short after. Several bandmembers ended up in other succesful act´s  such as; Uriah Heep, Jetro Tull and the Bee Gee´s.

Whatabout the drummer, Brian Glascock?? This gentleman brings a different beat to this album than the more Powerful predecessor of Lee Keslake. Clean soft striking with great interaction is the melody here. No particularly technical tricks to enjoy but the Dynamics are fine and timing are great so..avarage would be the judgement.

This is a go for album only if you´re into Psych/prog/hard/blues based rock from late 60´s. The low distribution brings Selling prices up and finding a great copy could be harder than you think. Nevertheless this is a great album but with the most hidious artwork ever made by Hypgnosis… EVER!!  Could someone please explain to me what the it´s suppose to be presenting??

VINYLRATING/GRADE

-5-OK!-WORTH EXPLORING-