Record Reviews

BRIAN AUGER / OBLIVION EXPRESS ~ CLOSER TO IT (EXPANDED EDITION) CASTLE 1101 (Barcode: 5050749411013) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1973 Released: 2005 4th album by Brian AugerFind albums by this artist’s group Oblivion ExpressFind albums by this artist, recorded after his decision to cross the Atlantic and settle in the US. Following this move most of the players in the band left to go back to UK and Auger (with bass player Barry DeanFind albums by this artist, who decided to stay) added three new players: Jack MillsFind albums by this artist on guitar, Godfrey MacleanFind albums by this artist on drums and Lennox LaingtonFind albums by this artist on congas. The album features Auger on vocals (although scarce) in addition to his exceptional keyboard work (organ, electric piano, moog and string machine). Auger contributed most of the wonderful material with just two tunes coming from outside the band (one by Marvin GayeFind albums by this artist). The music is, as usual, a mixture of jazz, rock, Rhythm And Blues and soul with plenty of space for the musicians to express their ability and improvise. Auger’s jazzy keyboard solos are simply remarkable. For the many Auger’s fans this is a most welcome addition to the reissue program as these editions are far superior to the earlier One WayFind albums on this label or DisconformeFind albums on this label editions.

Updated: 08/05/2023Posted:

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

BRIAN AUGER / OBLIVION EXPRESS ~ STRAIGHT AHEAD (EXPANDED EDITION) CASTLE 1102 (Barcode: 5050749411020) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1974 Released: 2005 5th album by Brian AugerFind albums by this artist’s group Oblivion ExpressFind albums by this artist. It features Auger on vocals in addition to his exceptional keyboard work (organ, electric piano, moog and string machine). Bassist Barry DeanFind albums by this artist penned half of the material. Auger contributed only one of his compositions and one jazz standard (Wes MontgomeryFind albums by this artist’s “Bumpin’ On Sunset”) gets a nice treatment. The group includes a drummer and two percussionists, which explains the percussive nature of the arrangements. The music is, as usual, a mixture of Jazz, Rock, Rhythm And Blues and Soul with plenty of space for the musicians to express their ability and improvise. For the many Auger’s fans this is a most welcome addition to the reissue program as these editions are far superior to the earlier One WayFind albums on this label or DisconformeFind albums on this label editions.

Updated: 08/05/2023Posted:

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

SOFT MACHINE ~ LIVE IN PARIS CUNEIFORM 195/196 ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene Live recording from 1972, capturing a whole Soft MachineFind albums by this artist performance at the Paris Olympia. The line-up present here (Elton DeanFind albums by this artist, Hugh HopperFind albums by this artist, John MarshallFind albums by this artist & Mike RatledgeFind albums by this artist) recorded together the 2nd part of their FifthFind albums with this title album, which is the only studio recording they made. Therefore this wonderfuly well recorded concert is a great document of the band. The material includes tunes from ThirdFind albums with this title and FifthFind albums with this title, as well as tunes that are not available elsewhere. The performances are brilliant, as ever, and this is a must to every SM fan. This album was released in the mid 1990`s on the One WayFind albums on this label Records label as `Live In France`, but has been out of print for ages.

CD 2 Recommend To A Friend

	VARIOUS ARTISTS ~ SIXTIES RULE! CHAPTER ONE ONE WAY 22034 ~ USA ~ Classic Rock This is a great collection of 1960s songs, mostly one-hit wonders that are impossible to find on any other collection, like Barry McGuire`s `Eve Of Destruction` and many many more. A great trip down the nostalgia lane and a solid taste of what it was all about!
	CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

	MASAKELA, HUGH ~ THE PROMISE OF THE FUTURE ONE WAY 22077 ~ PLEASE SELECT A COUNTRY ~ Jazz South African trumpeter Hugh Masakela is one of the pioneers of Jazz in his country and its most internationally famous Jazzman, especially in view of the great hit he scored with the tune "Grazing in the Grass", which is futured on this album.
	CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

	BANKS, PETER ~ SELF-CONTAINED ONE WAY 30339 ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock 3rd solo album from 1994 by ex-Yes guitarist. Banks is a superb player and his performances with Yes, Flash and Empire are legendary. This album is much more intimate, as it includes mostly solo guitar performances, although much overdubbed. There are moments of sheer genius here and most of it is really very intersting.
	CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

	EMPIRE ~ MARK III ONE WAY 32179 ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Empire were the second band ex-Yes guitarist Peter Banks put together after the first one (Flash) disbanded. Empire played some great fusion spiced Prog, but unfortunately recorded only one demo album in 1978, which never got released untill 16 years later. For the many fans of Banks` work this is a nice obscure gem definitely worth having.
	CD 1 Recommend To A Friend