Probably not one for the download generation. When an LP starts off with bongos featuring heavily you know you need to brush down that kaftan, sit cross legged, and start rolling another one. And it’s only 10am.
Recorded over 2 days with very few takes, it is improvisation at its best and whilst it charted well it did not open the doors to fame and fortune. But does that matter? What matters is that it is out there as a historical artefact, a reflection of the musical ideology of the late 60’s, sitting at the other end of the spectrum to the pop music dominating at the time. Even the Beatles headed in this direction once they had seen the light. An LP ahead of its time perhaps, albeit possibly in the outer sphere of the same universe.
My personal favorite is ‘Impromptu in E minor’, the last track on Side 1. As I’ve written endless times before, I like that rhythmic beat which underpins any good song and this is laced with some amazing guitar which did support the belief at the time that Mick Hutchinson was one of the classiest guitar players of his generation. It’s just that he didn’t become Hendrix or Gallagher. I wonder why?
- And apologies to the Tory party, Ian Sippen was a producer. Much too good for our government.
