FRANK MARINO & MAHOGNY RUSH-LIVE-

As there are few of us mortal humans that do understand that if you got it, you don´t need to go look for it. The splendid guitarsound and playing style from Italian/canadian guitarist Frank Marino just leaves the question of a higher being answered….This is a gift from birth.

Just widely acclaimed during the 70´s the persistant guitarist took Hard/Blues/prog Music to an Another level and many just missed the train as it passed by. The eminent style and sound brings more than one thought back to The Great one, Jimi Hendrix but I do Believe the intention is coincidential. But in the absense of the Witchmaster this is just as good… This is guitarplaying at the highes level ever recorded on Terra Firma…Just jawdropping excellent!!!

This “live” recording is on the brink off implosion of Mahogny rush. Released in 1978 but that does not take away it´s larger than Life soundframe and songs performance. The vocals are great, the rhythmsection is just as good it could get and then you got this fabulous guitarwizard mind-fu*king your head…this is one of the top five live rock albums ever made, and probably ever will be recorded.

Whatabout the drummer, Jimmy Ayoub?? If you got a guitarist as Frank Marino in your band you immediate know, you´re on second row. This does not take away the performance and “hands on” presence in the drumming on this recording. This is a very, very good drummer with a drive to die for. As the guitar flies away the rhythmsection just delivers the most hard driven erection a man could ever wish for. This is so good and even that the striking abilities are beyond top notch and the hit ratio together with the Dynamics  just leaves you with that lifelong wish that you could be there, instead of Mr. Ayoub. Mighty fine worldclass drumming!! 🙂

If you´re a sucker for guitardrenched Hard/Blues/prog rock this is as good as it ever will be. There are no flaws what so ever on this album and this got to be the most hard solved riddle of all. Why didn´t this leave Frank Marino and CO with a higher recognizion? This is one of the modern Worlds most puzzling food for thoughts.

Of course this is a must have album in your Collection. Very few albums couldn´t reach this standard as a studioalbum and this is a true companion when all other options are being drained. Great copies are out there for peanut prices so go out and grab yourself a bit of musichistory. Works as good with or without headphones but…you need some beer to chill you down as your emotions will overcook…. 🙂

VINYLRATING/GRADE

-9-DIVINE!-A MASTERPIECE, WOULD MAKE YOU LEAVE YOUR GIRLFRIEND!-

SAVOY BROWN–STREET CORNER TALKING-

This outfit from Battersea South London UK released this, their 7th album in 1971. Perhaps the most perfected album by this outfit and the album that would get them to make notice in the great land in the west. Endless touring the States to promote their albums got them to be more recognized in the US and it was here they selled their albums. Fame and fortune beyond the common man eluded them and perhaps this was a consequence of constant change of line ups, but it never took away the passion for touring and making Music.

The production of this Blues/hard/Southern album is just as fresh today and the songs are up there with the best of the genre. The terrific guitar and perfect match vocals are a delicious treat for your ears. This is the guiding light for blues bands to come in the 70´s. A very good album.

Whatabout the drummer, Dave Bidwell??? This is a eminent impression of a fellow with passion for drumming and a sweet laidback style of hitting the toms. The striking abilities are great with soft spoken interaction between the drive and hitratio. Nothing to bring back to rehearsal room but there are a few tricks and perhaps most, a perfect level of striking delivery that does fits like a glove. The departure of  previous members just put a new fresh perspective into the songs. Just a splendid work!

This is just one of those albums you must have in your record Collection. As a bearer of Brittish blues with cool Southern seasoning, there are very few albums to compete with this one from the timeperiod. Great original copies are out there and both Reissues and CD´s are plenty for the buck. If you don´t have this album it is a good tip to search for this for the masterpiece at your next visit to the vinylfair and alone just for the coverart…

The ” must have beer” to go along as spinning the record at the turntable speaks for itself…Just enjoy.. 🙂

VINYLRATING/GRADE

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

BE BOP DELUXE-AXE VICTIM-

This Quartet from Wakefield West Yorkshire UK, released this their first album in 1974. It was a pretty good critical succés and fairly good sales for this straight forward album, mixing Glam/Prog/Rock on a great produced album.

The album got great songs involving both influences of Bowie, T-Rex and paving the road for NewWave bands to come. The almost perfect interaction between the vocals and guitars lifts this album up several notches and the rhythm section are just having a blast! This is an extraordinary, fun album to spin at the turntable. As there are no song that falls off the wagon, the only grade is to give a big thumbs up!! Terrific album!

Whatabout the drummer, Nicholas Chatterton-Drew?? As everybody by this timeperiod,  would give their left arm for a musical career in the UK, the competition amongs musicians where on a very high level. As is in this case. This is a very good drummer with great striking abilities and a powerful ambience towards the songs. The hitratio together with the splendid Dynamics just leaves you with nothing more to ask for. Technical skills are there, lurkin beneath the well polished Surface and soundframe. This is a like fancy dinner with extra treatment and lapdance for desert as a surprise. All in!! Just fabulous!! :–)

This is a known album in the right circles and yet it is so unfamiliar. Great copies are out there and you should stumble upon this one at your local recordfair. If  the price feel´s right the just push the “purchase” button. Nothing can go wrong with this Classic album that very few people recognize. Very Good!! 🙂

VINYLRATING/GRADE

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

A.F.T.(AUTOMATIC FINE TUNING)

This four peice outfit from UK released this, their sole album, in 1976. This is one of the erliest Hard/Prog/Neoclassical rock records. The brilliant guitar duelling and riff making is one of a kind and perhaps one of history´s most forgotten gems in this genre.

The production is slim but yet fair towards the guitars and vocals. The bass are just at the forefront but not to excessive in the soundframe. This is a really good sounding record and way ahead of it´s time. The comparison to Rush is there but, we do not have the implement of synteziser so this one goes out with the Trophy on pure guitar rock impact. A splendid and most impressive work and an out of this World Discovery.  🙂

Whatabout the drummer, Dave Ball?? As in almost every Prog influenced Group around the World, so does this drummer also own special skills. The striking abilities are a bit laid back but there is a delicat presence in his approach towards the tempo Changes and drive impact. The technical skills is there but not up for display. The hitratio are sensible and performed with care. I do get a much applied and a sense of satisfaction when I hear this fellows skills behind the drumkit. This is impressive work and a great inspiration. Splendid job!!!

So is it a “go getter”?? No, and the short explanation is as follows; this is just for the most dedicated fans of Hard/Prog/Neoclassical rock fans. This is a tough record to enjoy without that Little extra interest in guitarslinging and progressive attitude towards Music. It could easily be explained as an acid trip in the studio but if we do take a serious look at the songwritting, this might be one of historys best albums in the genre. I would recommend potential buyers to have a good listen through the album Before purchase AND, this is perhaps the best reason for purchase,  as with most progressive albums they do tend to grow on you and suddenly you go around whistling to tunes you never ever though excisted. A great task!! Just pure eargasm… 🙂

VINYLRATING/GRADE

-6-GOOD!-WORTH BUYING-

EDGE-EDGE-

This American outfit originated from Los Angeles though several members first hit out in Honolulu. This their sole album, was released in 1970 after a series of collaborations with different musicians.

The album was released by Nose Records and there are some things that doesn´t fit the Picture here. The Production is thin but in the remastered version several notches uppgraded. The songs just pinpoints not only forward but also South, west and east. This is just a confusing mix of songs with no what so ever direction. The Base is Hard/blues/rock´n´ roll songs but with few highlights and more towards the abyss of Deep water blackness. This is truly the Point at the crossroads and nowhere to go..

Whatabout the drummer, David Novogroski?? Well, there are a few things on this recording that just doesn´t fit the bill. The drummer is perhaps the most eminent one. Here we do lack the striking abilities on a basic ground level and the straigh forward tempo/time keeping is just below avarage. The attempt to impress with technical skills just falls flat to the ground. As the personality and drive was clearly forgotten this is nothing to cherish for. If this guy was to be translated into a dish he would end up like an unboiled potatoe. At least 20 minutes of cooking Before eatable…

The overall impression is not just bad. There are passages that show glims of light but there are to few to recommend a purchase. Original copies are out there for a handsome pile of Money, most due to low distrubution. If you are out for that odd album and don´t wanna play it just go for a nice cover. The record isn´t Worth the pricetag. Then again there are CD reissues you might find at a vinylfair and perhaps if the price is right it could be a source of the next musicquiz. No one will recognize this one… 🙂

VINYLRATING/GRADE

-3-BAD-A DISAPPOINTMENT-