HYDRA-ROCK THE WORLD-

In the late stages of the 60´s good friends Spencer Kirkpatrick and Steve Pace started out playing in bands together and soon they formed the Outfit named Hydra and this is their third and last release from 1977.

Hydra originates from Georgia U.S and had a popular following around Atlanta with a grewing recognizion in the surrounding states and opening for major acts. The claim to be the first “Heavy” Southern rock band might just be true. The Power trio of Pace, KirkPatrick and Wayne Bruce just delivers on high on this Heavy/Southern/prog rock album. The producing is great with that 70´s style sounding that brings out the best from American Southern style rock Music. I like it a lot!! Just awesome!

It´s hard to pick out any standout song on the album but at the same time there is an even high quality through and through so there´s no song that falls under the giljotin here. Just plain great rock´n roll tunes. 🙂

Whatabout the drummer, Steve Pace?? Well..this chap is just like the King of Beers, Budweiser; light, no taste and brings you pleasure only if you´re thirsty on a hot summer`s day. A typical avarage drummer with Ok striking abilities. The hit ratio and technical skills are below par with an avarage joe´s in Dynamics. Don´t get me wrong, this is not bad for this outfit but it won´t bring you any ideas to bring back to the rehearsal room. Meat and potatoes to be honest…. 🙂

If you´re into American Heavy/Southern/prog rock Music this is a very good album and shows that Hydra really progressed throughout their career. Some may Think this a bit to cheesy but I don´t agree. There are much worse albums out there by far more better known acts. This is a great start to begin to investigate the “Southern” feeling inside you.

VINYLRATING/GRADE

-5-OK!-WORTH EXPLORING-

ARMAGEDDON-ARMAGEDDON-

In the early year of 1972 and the dissolvation of the Group Steamhammer the remaining Foundation of Steamhammer, Martin Pugh and Louis Cennamo shared a flat in London and was asked by singer Keith Relf to move to L.A to form a new band. As progress got under way they were introduced to drummer Bobby Cardwell and all pieces fell together..what luck for us common deadly people!!

This so called “supergroup” released their only album in 1975 and this one´s as hot as Gordon Ramsey´s frying pans. Hard/psych/prog rock with spaced out guitar effects and tremendous drive with super vocal input brings this release to  sky high limits. Just Splendid eargasm enjoyment..!!

Strong songs with an ace in “Silver tightrope” just unfolds in a great way and I can´t find no song that falls under the radar. This is just the tour de force as if the World is comming to an end, plain great through and through. 🙂

Whatabout the drummer, Bobby Caldwell??? His session in Captain Beyond shines through and here you got a high skilled drummer with Extraterrestrial technique and fierce drive! The striking abilities are superb and the hit ratio together with the Dynamics are top notch. There´s nothing missing on this album. A Gift to mankind to cherish forever as an example how to put your signature on a recording. Divine in my Ears. A true top Three contender of all time!!!

This album is a MUST have in any man´s rock Collection, not just if you´re into Hard/psych/prog rock from the middle of the 70´s but just as much as the Polestar shining at night to show you the way in the dark… this is Marvelous!

Great copies are out there for no Money at all so just select how much the condition means to you but that´s secondary due to the Music….

VINYLRATING/GRADE

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

FREEDOM-THROUGH THE YEARS-

As Bobby and Ron Harrison were kicked out from Procul Harum by Gary Brooker they quickly decided to form this outfit called Freedom and this is their third release and it saw the light in 1971. After participating in the recording of ” A whiter shade of Pale” by The Harum the reincarnation of Freedom took a much darker path towards Hard/psych/blues rock in 1968 splitting tours with Black Sabbath and The James Gang, a darker side of black…:-)

This record got some great tunes and the producing is left with some time wearness but with just so much integrity that it doesn´t becomes a parody. This is a great album overall but could have earned a lot more Points with Another producer. Even so the vocals are great and the guitars are avarage with a tendens to drown a bit in the sound frame. A saviour is the strong rhythm section with a solid steamroller beat. Funky stuff!!

Whatabout hte drummer, Bobby Harrison?? As this geezer also is responsible for the lead vocals you just have to give him the benefit of a doubt, this fellow knows what he´s doing. Great Dynamics with funky drive gives the striking impression a lift. The hit ratio together with the bass player brings freedom to the guitars and you can almost hear that this is fun for real..Faboulus… 🙂

As this is a progression from the 60´s bluesscene the album just gets all pieces together on this album. Strong songs with great vocals and true personal touch through and through. Very Good!!

This is an album to cherish for it´s great personality and strong songs. If you´re in for English Hard/psych/blues rock Music this is a true contender. Great copies and reissues are out there for descent Money, not cheap  but fair. Worth a buy if the condition is the right one.

VINYLRATING/GRADE

-6-GOOD!-WORTH BUYING-

LUV MACHINE-LUV MACHINE-

This Psych/Hard/funk rock Quartet originated from Barbados but relocated to UK in 1968 trying out their luck in the Swingin`60´s with a no ever match of welcomed Psych/hard/funk rock with a tasteful flavour of the caribbean. This release from 1971 Influenced by the Contemporary bands of Jimi Hendrix, Cream and Creedence is just as wacky as is sounds. A Perfect contender for the Odd album of the year of ´71.

The production is above avarage with a flirt towards English popculture. The Vocals are splendid together with the steady rhythm section. Fresh input by keyboard and piano lifts this album to an exciting experience in the “happy mood” department. Very Nice!! The unique soundframe just brings a great smile to your face and the songs are strong with that psych touch that just almost is about to annoy you. Great walk on line here!!!

Whatabout the drummer, Errol Bradshaw?? This is a follower and does his best to hide it. The backbeating and striking is ok but there is a great loss of drive and you can hear that this drummer is out of timing together with the bass player. The hit ratio and Dynamics are fine but sorry to say it doesn´t add up.. This is the “avarage” man by the textbook impersonated.

Sad this outfit dissolved Before the release of this megacool input to the UK Music scene during the early 70´s. This had the potential to reach to something much larger than it did. If you´re in for that perticularly album that you though never was recorded, this is It! The fresh flavour of caribbean seasoning to the Psych/hard/funk rock melodies just gives this album a major thumbs up! Prices for this Oddball is skyhigh and rightfully so. You just don´t stumble upon such a gem everyday. Worth every penny in my book just for the albumcover alone!!

VINYLRATING/GRADE

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

MASON-HARBOUR-

As the great year of 1971 released many faboulus records this one´s a true great mystery. This outfit called Mason originited from Virginia USA and had been around since ´68 and this their only release. It´s said that you have your whole lifetime to write your first album and this is such a perfect debut that you ask yourself, what the fuck happened?? Why did this record not make it..just one of those mysteries of Life. The funny thing is that in the end of  Mason´s career the played in front 15 000 people so lets put the “I” in irony here.

The Music steers towards Prog/blues/hard/psych/folk/jazz rock elements with an exceptional production. There´s no way you can tell this is powertrio due to the rich fat sound, great vocals and that faboulus hammondorgan just guiding everything into Place. The key songwriter Jim Gaylon brings a powerful impact both on sax, flute, bass, keyboard and handled the guitar, both accustic and Electric….´nuff said. Steve Arcese plays the Hammond with such a drive that this is a bitchslap in the face for such keyboard wizards like Jon Lord and,  he take cares of the headvocals with excellence to…Salut you!! 🙂

Whatabout the drummer, Morgan Hampton?? Well This is one of those moments in Life when you get a religious epiphany listening to a fellow drummer. Here you got Everythings that Worth fighting for. Brilliant Dynamics, striking abilities Worth dying for and the timing and hit ratio just leaves you baffled. The technical level is up among the best ever recorded and I can say with Clean concious, this is one of the best drummers I´ve ever Heard…. Is This Jesus on drums???

If you´re into prog/blues/hard/psych/folk rock Music from the early 70´s this must be the one to measure other releases to. Nothing is lacking on this masterpiece and I honestly must say I regret starting to listen to this album…I can´t  quit…  🙂

As you may reckon this is an album hard to find. Great copies are out there with 3 figure sales prices and rightfully so. This is just that holy grail Prog gem you just hope to find in a fleamarket, stucked away only for you to find….never stop believing… 🙂

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

STEPSON-STEPSON-

This Pacific northwest outfit made a brief but powerful impact on the west coast Music industry of  The US in the beginning of the 70´s. This release from 1974 is their Calling card and sadly their only album. With past history in bands like Blue Mountain Eagle and Don and the Good Times, this raises the barr for exciting Music. Hanging around in L.A they had frequently a spot both at Whiskey A Go Go and Starwoods. They landed a record deal with ABC records but short after this release the band sadly dissolved.

With a fuzzed based approach towards Hard/blues/psych rock, this is a steady steamroller record with temporary production but a bit of time wearness up on the soundframe. Lead vocalist Jeff Hawks possesses a great voice and the guitars by Joey Newman is a pleasure to listen to, no funky pedal distractions, just pure volume fuzz!! The cover of The Byrds “It´s my Life” does seem to be a record Company necessity but I´ve Heard worse.

Whatabout the drummer, Len Fagan?? This great striking man both got the drive and timing that put your own abilities on the edge of approval. Maybe not the most technical genius but the impact together with the bass and the rest of the band is just..Fantastic. The hit ratio and Dynamics are up among the best I´ve Heard from this time period. This is a fellow who earned his reputation on the Highway touring hard….Just pure pleasure for my ears!! 🙂

If you you´re into Hard/blues/psych fuzzy rock with powerful vocal arrangements this is a forgotten plasticfantastic piece of Music treasure. Great copies and reissues are available out on the net and do yourself a favor and purchase a great rock record just for that blue Pacific feeling…Man do I want a Beer to go with this… 🙂

VINYLRATING/GRADE

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

ROCKICKS-INSIDE-

This American outfit released their sole album in 1977 and this is a piece of work. After a sejour of other bands amongs them Rock Candy and The Peanut Butter Conspiracy, guitarist Brian Naughton, started up Rockit who later became Rockicks. The band ended up with a deal for the new label RSO records which included the Bee Gees and go figure, this was their only album and the road to obscurity laid straight ahead…..A mystery mismatch by the label for sure…

The production is flawless with great vocal overdubs and splendid guitar work with a descent rhythm section to back it up. Brian Naughton possesses a terrific voice that just fits right. The songs are strong with a direction towards Hard/biker/stoner/swamp rock. Not all that far from Black Oak Arkansas kind of Music back in the day. The processed guitar sound brings a bit of pop flavour hard rock taste in my mouth, not bad, but a bit to familiar. A Bit to American soundframe maybe. Never the less, impressive catalouge!! 🙂

Whatabout the drummer, Rick Altschuler?? This drummer just pass through the Eye of the needle. His drive and striking abilities are all fine but there are some hesitation about his Dynamics and timing skills. This is a powertrain drummer who enjoys full throttle playing and maybe a bit more personality wouldn´t hurt. Not bad but just above avarage is the grade here.

Domestic touring with the early version of Quit Riot brought Rockicks to be a household name in some parts in th US but the labels interest NOT to put it in for the band made the journey shortlived. To bad because this is a Heavy sounding album with great songs.

If you´re in for American late 70´s rock with great attitude and familiar soundframe this is a Winner! The style of Hard/biker/stoner/swamp rock Music suits this outfit perfectly and this is an odd one in the family for sure!! Great copies are out there for no Money at all so go on , use the plastics!!  🙂

VINYLRATING/GRADE

-6-GOOD!-WORTH BUYING-

RÅG I RYGGEN-RÅG I RYGGEN-

As one of the best on/off releases from the Swedish Progscene this album from 1975 has no other match of it´s kind. The Scandinavian Progscene has Little in common with the international meaning of Prog as in Progressive. In this context we are talking of earthbounded hippie´s playing hard/psych/folk rock with a social politic message in their lyrics, often about injustice and goverment corruption. Some of the bands from the 70´s do have a cultstatus today but there were a lot of crap too.

Råg i Ryggen would almost Count as a Hard/Heavy/prog/proto rock band with Heavy influences from Deep Purple and Uriah Heep. The lyrics are a bit coloured with social perspective but not as a main purpose for their Music. The production is flawless with great vocals and fuzzy guitars both in rhythm and the screaming solos. The bass playing from Björn Aggemyr just fits like a glove to all arrangements. This is good stuff!!

Whatabout the drummer, Peter Sandberg?? This fellow got a funky backbeat signature to his playing style with great striking abilities and clear as a bell hitting ratio. The technical skills are great with great flow that pushes this outfit foward. The great interaction with the Twin guitars is just like earcandy…Splendid!! Great things to bring home to the rehearsal room.

As this is the “Holy Grail” for many record collectors when it comes to Swedish prog you can imagine that the price tag for good copies are high and rightfully so. This is a true gem and unpresidented from the time period. As the vinyl is Rising as a Music media perhaps we can hope for some reissues later on??

If you´re into Hard/Heavy/prog/proto rock with that Swedish touch of native singing in some tunes this is a solid rockalbum. Be prepared to put up some serious cash for good copies but it could be Worth it as this is a great album.

VINYLRATING/GRADE

-6-GOOD!-WORTH BUYING-

CAIN-A POUND OF FLESH-

As a rooster in the henhouse, this album from 1975 stir things up when it comes to US Hard/blues/prog rock. Originated from Minnesota this band earned it´s colours with Heavy touring in Iowa, Milwaukee and of course their native state and it took a while for them to progress the excellent sound from their debut album as Cain.

The production is Contemporary with all great records from ´75 but with that personal seal of homegrown kickass material. The vocals by  the extraordinary flight alert siren Jiggs Lee impresses even me and you can hear the resemblence to an Young Ian Gillan. Fantastic!! The guitars by Lloyd Forsberg are smooth yet aggressive and not to exagerated together with a steady rollin bass playing by Dave Elmeer. But then again they been working for some years to perfect the material for this slap in the face album. Fresh meat is the best….. 🙂

Whatabout the drummer, Kevin Deremer? A funky style player with a great ear for timing and Dynamics evolves upon this album. The striking is perfect with fresh noticeable hitting ratio. The technical skills are over avarage but not in the front room. This is an enjoyable player with nice drive and integrity. Very Nice!!

You can have whatever opinion about the album cover but; the Picture tells you that this is not a lover´s saturday night shagmusic favorite. The great textframe with “8 Prime Cuts” just falls in my box of irony highlights. Splendid!!

This is one of the “Holy Grails” of obscure albums and as you could guess, hard to find and great copy´s are expensive. I see this as an investment, not only in an great album but also to spread the Word; Stop, Look and listen what you´ve missed!! Play it loud and just Enjoy!!

VINYLRATING/GRADE

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

STRAY-STRAY-

As a Child of its time Stray began to head for the harder side of rock in the late 60´s and had a popular following in the beginning of the 70´s and were Mighty popular in Londons clubscene during this time.

This release from 1970 is a faboulus piece of Brittish proto/hard/psych rock which didn´t follow up the artistic triumph that this album represents, in sales figures and, one can only wonder why. This is as much a Heavy impact as ” Jerusalem” but maybe more of a matured album. The production has its flaws but the Dynamics together with the great songs and future sounding overdubs just brings,  not just head nodding to the table, but also a big smile on your face. Very impressive!!

Stray Always puts themselves high on obscure bands top list and rightfully so. This is just a textbook example that hard work not Always brings success, you need a good managing bit too.

Whatabout the drummer, Steve Crutchley?? This is an exciting man to listen to. While the first impression fails to deliver, a more intens spinaround on the turntable shows Another side. High technical skills with great striking abilities brings a shining light upon the performance. A hard drive with superb Dynamics, brings me over to a convincing mood.

If you´re in to Brittish Proto/hard/blues/psych rock from the beginning of the 70´s this is a rolemodel!! Everything is on this album with nice harmonys in the vocal department and great guitar slinging with thick bass to cover up the heaviness. Just splendid!!

Great reissues are out there for no or less Money and its my suggestion to buy one copy as soon as possible. Don´t wait to hear yourself say “why have I never Heard of this”??

VINYLRATING/GRADE

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