FRANTIC-CONCEPTION-

This American outfit came together in the mid ´60s and they travelled the great nation in the west and released this highfuelled Hard/Blues/psych/Prog rock album in 1970. A hard mix with great attitude but a severe fail to pinpoint a clear direction with their music, leaves this album with some mysterious questionmarks.

The production is timetypical with a bit of bite towards the guitars and leaving the drums and for that matter, the whole rhythm section in a a backdraft with little impact on the drive and share force. Some tunes are covers on contemporary hitsongs and you can have more than one opinion about the “Hey Joe” massacre. All in all the whole album brings out a feeling of heavy machinery on full throttle…. A bit distorted power input!! 🙂

Whatabout the drummer, Phil “Gordo” Head??  This fellow do possess the gift of personal impact and got some real nice striking abilities. To bad the production of the album don´t bring in the drums to a more dominant position. The technical skills are there but it is the drive and funky playing style that perhaps collects the points on this album. A great effort!! 🙂

Well, if you´re in for the Hard/Blues/Psych/Prog style from the beginning of 1970 this is a true contender in the obscure department. Few albums got the soundframe and cool audioeffects attached to the songs. Great issues are out there for little more then the avarage record but this is such an unusual album that it is worth every penny. The more spins on the turntable the more you will dig it…Not bad at all….The experience only grows stronger with a cold beer in comfortable reach… 🙂

VINYLRATING/GRADE

-6-GOOD!- WORTH BUYING-

PAICE ASHTON LORD-MALICE IN WONDERLAND-

As none of the above needs any further introduction, perhaps the album does. This record was released in 1976 and is the result of the collaboration between Ian Paice, Jon Lord and Tony Ashton since 1974. Many great names pass through this odd recording that mix Hard/Blues/Prog/ folk rock into one big teaser on the turntable. This is like the surprisingly good tasting drink you never heard of. A sort of good blender effect!! 🙂

The album is produce with a timeless soundframe with no flaws and the balance between the instruments and vocals are just superb. A healthy dose of Deep Purple seasoning and sweet guitar playing from Bernie Marsden makes this the ultimate bastard child of major rockacts from the United Kingdom out of this timeperiod.  A true Classic!! 🙂

Whatabout the drummer, Ian Paice??? Well this is an easy one. Few drummers have such an impact on rockmusic during the ´70s. The technical brilliance is excellent and the striking abilities are match by very few contemporary drummers. Personality and drive is just there and If you don´t got any influence from Mr Paice during the years, than you´re probably a liar or def. This is just as good as it gets so, lay down and indulge the sweet playing from a masterclass drummer. Thank you Sweet Lord .. 🙂

Most of you rockers out there already got this album and if you´ve missed it I do understand. This is perhaps not the first purchase if you´re looking for when good rock music is to be found by this very talented musicians. Great Hard/blues/Prog/folk rock music with catchy tunes and perfect producing makes this album this years most underrated purchase. Great copies are out there for no money at all and then you got reissues to go for if you want a more polished release. Terrific in all departments & worth every penny!! 🙂

VINYLRATING/GRADE

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

RAVEN-BACK TO OHIO BLUES-

This American outfit originated from Columbus Ohio. This drugfuelled frenzy album was released in 1975 by private pressing through the Owl label. Every song on this album contains a fierce attitude towards Hard/Blues/Psych rock with personal input on every instrument with no what so ever clear direction. It is like the “music” just must pop out as it was intended from the idea stage…very colourful…. 🙂

The production is hollow with a direct timestamp from 1975 but the arrengement´s all before it´s time and this is a very good album in that sense. Not so much for overdubbing and retakes and that just fit the album as it´s a one mans project and ideas. Splendid  persuation… 🙂

Whatabout the drummer???? Well even through advance search I haven´t come across this drummers name. Even though this is a competent drummer with avarage striking abilities and good hit ratio, the technical skills are there but as rest of the band you probably figured out that nobody was clear and sober on this recording. Nothing to get excited about but it fits like a glove on this peculiar recording…

So, if you´re in for biker fuelled Hard/Blues/Psych rock with no what so ever comparison this is a truly gem for you to get your hands on. The original pressing is very hard to get and almost impossible to find for a descent dollar. Thanks to reissues we don´t have to worry and there are good copies out there for a fair price. This is one of those very rare obscure albums that brings out the “prepunk” feeling of music and the sense of DIY practice . This one is a true contender for the never ever heard album of all time…just plain fun!! 🙂

VINYLRATING/GRADE

-6-GOOD-WORTH BUYING-

BEAR MOUNTAIN BAND-ONE MORE DAY-

This outfit originated from Wickenburg Arizona and this is with nodoubt one of Americas most obscure and rare albums from 1971. With a Hard/Blues/Psych/Folk rock inspirered album this is something you recognize and yet not at all.

The production is thin with almost no overdubs and dual effects. The steady pumping distorted bass together with the excellent guitar and well balanced vocals, this is a treat for sensitive ears. Well performed organ/keyboard playing brings the flavour of a very suggestive but laidback approach to all songs. The excellent sound from the drums makes this album a timepiece with great vintage potential. There are none of the songs that stands out and on the other hand no one falls of the wagon. This is a very good record and a rare find! One more bear, please!! 🙂

Whatabout the drummer, Frank Ford??? This is one of those hidden drummers with a great impact on a recording. Terrific striking abilities and superb hitratio. The technical skills are very good but the the real treat is Dynamics and drive. This is just what I Always try to pinpoint. A personal fingerprint that turns this album around from mediocre to a very nice experience. This dude is an A+ drummer and deserves all respect he can get. A very good job!!

If you´re in for American ´70s style containing Blues/Hard/Psych/Folk rock this is just the album for you. AS many of the Contemporary albums from back in the day is a bit “overbaked” in the studio, this one´s  as fresh as a peach. Juicy and delicious!! Original copies of this private label is out there for horrendous figures but for all of us mortals there are reissues for a descent buck. You will also have some beermoney over because this album must be indulged with some brewer´s choice…. 🙂

VINYLRATING/GRADE

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