JERICHO JONES-JUNKIES MONKEYS & DONKEYS-

Released in 1971 this outfit got their roots from Israel but moved to Britain prior to this albums release. Changeover their name more than once, this is the only album under the name Jericho Jones which was later shortened to just Jericho.

This a pretty good album with a bit of soft touch to all the songs. That said, it don´t take the edge of the songwriting but there´s something missing here.

Vocals are under avarage and the guitarsound lacks a bit of “fuzziness”. The production could overall be seen as hasty work because of the lack of depth or punsch to the songs. Do take time to investigate this album ´cause there are things to pick up though.

Standout tracks would be “Man in the crowd” and “Freedom” Heavy influences from Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath but very personal and a bit exciting.

Whatabout the drummer, Ami Treibich?? Solid, cautious playing is the reference here with none or maybe little to bring to the table. It has its reason due to the thin production but in general a bit of an anxious impression.

This album is a hidden gem when it comes to collectors interest and as almost nobody remembers this outfit so prices are way up on original issues.

Lucky for us there are reissues for descent blue collar Money, but I have to advise caution . If you´re into to Hard/prog/psych rock with a gentle touch this is something to put your Money on. Otherwise there are better rockalbums out there.

VINYLRATING/GRADE

5 OK!-WORTH EXPLORING-

MOSES-CHANGES-

Released in 1971 this Three men outfit originated from Esbjerg Denmark. Having a record deal with one of Europes most shortlived labels not only put the band under strain but it never served them any consistensy.

This is very nice album with heavy influences from Cream and Jimi Hendrix in a very positive way. The Foundation of the album commence in Hard/psych/blues tunes that suffers a bit of nonfantasy guitarsolos. Guitarist Soren Hojberg sounds a lot like an young Tony Iommi but with a much more fuzzy guitarsound. Bassplayer Jorgen Villadsen is performing on a high level. The production is near the timeperiod with a great Clean sound but maybe a bit flat sound of the drums. Overall it´s a pretty good listening.

Whatabout the drummer, Henrik Laurvig??? As both vocalist and drummer he´s doing a tremendous job keeping the band forward and with good technique. The weak part of this recording is the lack of powerful impact but it fits the soundpicture of the album.

As recordlabel spectator burnt to the ground in 1972 this is a rare Classic from the label and an original copy of this album is very hard to find. Luckily there are nice reissues for descent Money so the recommendation would be to invest in some nice Holy moses songs.

VINYLRATING/GRADE

6-GOOD!-WORTH BUYING-

IRISH COFFEE-IRISH COFFEE-

This album was released in 1971. The band originated from Alst, East Flanders in Belgium and best remembered for the chartbreaking single “Masterpiece” from 1970.

The style of the album is described as hard/Heavy/blues rock and you might add som seasoning of prog into that recipe. The production is a bit thin but never the less good and have stand the test of time.

Guitarist and vocalist William Souffreau owns a peculiar, personal voice that sets Irish Coffee in their own legue of European rock bands at this time. Heavy influences from British grand acts like Deep Purple and Uriah Heep is unavoidable.

The other guitarist Jean Van Der Schueren makes a good impression and bassplayer Willy De Bisschop got a great groove to his playing. The most brilliant player, besides the drummer, is keyboard player Paul Lambert. A very important contribution to this Album and a hard beaten musician on the black and Whites. The songs are strong, melodic but a bit shallow sometimes. All tunes are original Writings so in that sense this is a very good debut.

Whatabout the drummer, Hugo Verhoye?? Here´s a player with fast foward technique, light striking but very consistened and some cool backbeating Always in his pocket. Very nice!! Great Dynamics in softer songs just put his playing style up a notch. Here are some things to bring on home.

Though Irish Coffee had great succes back home in Belgium and in France the never really got the big break. To bad, because this is a very good hard/Heavy/ blues album so maybe with a better producer it could have been a Belgian Blue(s) steroid album… 🙂

If you´re in for early 70´s harddriven organ rock with excellent vocals and brilliant guitar, this is an easy recommendation for you to buy. Great reissues are out there so don´t hesitate when the price is right.

VINYLRATING/GRADE

6-GOOD!-WORTH BUYING-

HOLOCAUST-THE NIGHTCOMERS-

Realeased in 1981 this is a true Classic when it comes to NWOBHM bands. Originated from Edinburgh Scotland they set foot in the musicscene in 1977.

This album does seem to have a rough heaviness to it that seperated Holocaust from the rest of the early Brittish Heavy/Hard rock bands. Both Metallica, Halloween and Six feet under, have paid tribute to Holocaust by doing covers from their rich catalouge.

The first time I listen to this album it´s striking how much better it would have been with proper production. Vocals are to high, guitars to low and the drums sounds like plastic trash bins. This does not take away the craftmanship in the songs. There´re very strong and the reason to continue to listen further.

Whatabout the drummer,Nick Broockie?? Well the thing that strikes you is that this is a guy who would fit perfectly as a lumberjack. With no sense of Dynamics this is nothing to bring home to your bedroom and please yourself with. As I wrote earlier this album would benefit from better producing and another drummer. That´s the weakest link, sorry to say but even Lars Ulrich stands out by comparison.

Should you get this album, do you need to buy it?? Probably not. Even if it´s a fantastic contribution of the second wave of brittish Heavy/hard rock the tip is to get it if you´re really into this kind of Music.

VINYLRATING/GRADE

5-OK!-WORTH EXPLORING-

HURDY GURDY-HURDY GURDY

Released in 1971 this selftitled album originated from a early setup of the band including bassplayer/vocalist Mac Macleod. An early release with”Hurdy Gurdy Man” written for the band by singer/songwriter Donovan then a friend of Mac Macleod made the band decide to try their luck in England.

By the end of 1970 Mac Macleod was replaced due to the fact that the other members was denied working permits in Britain so they moved back to Denmark and got a deal with CBS for this album.

The influence from, foremost Cream, this is an odd album that has a hard time to reach the distance. The production is very good and so is all handling of the instruments but…a good dosage of blues/prog gives you the feeling of sadness and melancholy. It never sparks up..

Pretend you are having a nice pot of tea with a friend and some danish pastry..a nice touch for a while but nothing to strave for in an ordinary day of life. A bit at the time is the medicine here.

Whatabout the drummer, Jens Otzen?? The band had a huge following in the late 60´s and much of it was for the great live performing by Otzen. Great delivery but on this album a bit cautious. Nothing that will be remembered as great playing but all in all recommended.

I can´t recommend you to buy this album due to its narrow space of Music. If you´re in to English late 60´s blues/hard/prog music this is a cool chance to digest other experiences.

VINYLRATING/GRADE

5-OK!-WORTH EXPLORING-

SILVERHEAD-SILVERHEAD-

Released in 1972 this outfit from England really proved that you can get away with attitude before raw talent. Frontman Michael Des Barres maybe not is to be mentioned as on of the greatest influences on the glam/rock/Heavy side of Music but he contributes in an asskicking way on this album.

A vulgure frontcover with bellbottom trousers that exceeds all normal proportions, this album out plays in some way the master himself, Marc Bolan. Glam or not is the question here. Strong musicians in guitarist Stevie Forest and Rod Rook Davies. Great bass playing by Nigel Harrison and as a luxury treat a great production by Martin Birch.

Whatabout the drummer,Pete Thompson?? The first thing that strikes you is the Heavy groove that he puts into the songs. A sort of delay on the beating that is really affectious. The great producing of the drums helps a lot to enjoy his playing. Any special tricks to bring back to the rehearsel room?? No!

But just get a grip of the feeling he delivers, this is really a 70´s record, fully overblown,wonderful!!

This is a partycracker album that deserves to be played loud and intense. There are good copies out there and some great reissues so don´t hesitate when you stumble upon it.Buy it!!

VINYLRATING/GRADE

6-GOOD!-WORTH BUYING-

SILBERBART-4 TIMES SOUND RAZING-

Released in 1971 this is by comparison the most outtripped Heavy/hard/psych krautrock album of all time. Originated from Varel Germany the band was formed by Hajo Teschner, Peter Behrens and Werner Klug. This album has been a favourite amongs collectors for years and its impact on several German musicians is undeniable. The idea of putting a garden gnom on the cover just cements this record as a “fairies wear boots” type of record.

Hard driven blues and hard rock elements are the basics with spaced out guitar and instrumental mindF**k as great toping.

The production is near the timeperiod as could be without being all-together “oldfashion” Vocals are great, guitar sound is ok with a superb bass to ram it up.

What about the drummer, Peter Behrens?? You got to admire the focus he´s contributing with. Fast action, great delivery but without any special tricks to put in your handbag. Overall a great experience within the band but nothing more.

This is an Album that puts the name Krautrock as a standard in the Genre. If you´re in to this kind of style of Music, it´s a large piece of the Krautrocks foundation. This is a must have record in that sense.

If you´re a more melodic kind of musiclover it will take time to understand “wtf” is going on.

I can´t recommend you to get this record but it´s worth exploring, for the sake of how Krautrock should be and sound like. There´s no other album like this one out there.

VINYLRATING/GRADE

5-OK!-WORTH EXPLORING-

LUGNET-LUGNET-

Released in january 2016 this is a Swedish tour de force á la 70´s hard/Heavy/blues rock.

Originated from Tungelsta in Stockholm Sweden this is an excellent album for all you out there who never got over the loss of Rainbow or even early Whitesnake. As in one of the silverscreen pictures from Quentin Tarantino, the album cover suggest the calm before the storm and how true this is.

This is a fuel driven record that just brings every bit of nostalgia and sound production right. The vocals are up with the best, with a hard beaten mix of Tony Martin, David Coverdale and a hint of Graham Bonnett. The guitars are, as always when they come from Sweden, terrific. Twin guitar riffs mixed with raw chestpounding attitude. Marvelous!!  The producing lacks ..NOTHING!!! This is a 10/10 in that sense.

Whatabout the drummer, Fredrik Jansson???  In the Sleeve Picture he´s got the resemblence of an angry truckdriver who just lost his paycheck… He pushes the band foward with a furious drive, excellent delivery in faster tunes and clear as a bell striking. Impressive! On the bad side? His dynamics are a bit anxious in slower songs but nothing to worry about.

If you´re a sucker for 70´s rock this is a true goldfind. Plays as good in low as in high volume and a good mix of faster/slower material. If this album doesn´t make it i´ll eat my hat. Check out the video with Christina Lindberg below…cool stuff.. 🙂

VINYLRATING/GRADE

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

STRIDER-EXPOSED-

Released early in 1973 this album puts a new definition to hard/heavy/blues rock! As the album could  make a review as a hardrock album this is not what the story reveals.

The style reminds of those in Free, Deep Purple and Humble pie but yet totally in a personal way. The Gritty vocal and the dynamics of this album gave Strider several opening slots for bigger acts such as Faces and Rory Gallagher. The bands breif career gave Strider a far more post-legacy than recognizion back in the day.

The album contains two Classic R&B songs and its fair to say that it is this album, of the two they made, you should require. Stoned out jams on guitar with an even producing, spice this album up and gives it a rightous place as a lost gem from ´73.

Whatabout the drummer???  Jimmy Hawkins doesn´t leave any special things for you to remember. Good solid playing with a bit of muffled sound to the production. By looking at the innersleeve picture you do have the expectation that he would have a little more attitude to bring to this record but sorry that´s not the case.

With the release of their next album, the band had reached their height. Rod Stewart grabbed guitar player, Gary Grainger before embarking on a solo career. The other members would start The Babys and go on to play with Roger Daltry and John Entwistle.

If you´re in to Foghat/Grand funk railroad kind of R&B style, you already have this record. It´s a great album in that sense and one you shouldn´t get past it without further examination.

VINYLRATING/GRADE

5-OK!-WORTH EXPLORING-

SAVAGE GRACE-SAVAGE GRACE 2-

Released in 1971 this is the second and more preferable album from powerhouse rockers Savage Grace from Detroit Michigan.

After furious touring in the late 60´s Savage Grace got their attention noticed by Reprise Records after a “slap in the face” performance, opening for Creedence Clearwater Revival in 1969. Their debut was released later that year, simply called “Savage Grace”.

Relocating to LA, their second album didn´t materialized until late 1971. But I must confess that the waiting was worth every second. This album is much better, more consistent and better produced. The Vocals are gritty and dusty at the same time, the guitar sounds like a hotrod on nitro and all is wrapped up in a keyboard fury, fantastic!!  Talk about Grace under pressure!!

Whatabout the drummer, Larry Zack?? As a founding member of this outfit he just bursts with high octane energy, playing like there´s no tomorrow.

Funky backbeats mixed with great impact, clear striking and the best delivery out of Detroit, this is entertainment extravaganza…. 🙂

To bad that the band unfolded later in ´72 and they never got the recognition they deserved. A bit surprising due to their excellent handling of their instruments and furious playing, but sometimes things aren´t to be.

It´s easy to recommend you to buy this album, well crafted in every way there´s no chance you would go sour over buying this hard/heavy/psych album. It´s just splendid.

VINYLRATING/GRADE

6-VERY GOOD!!-WORTH BUYING-