King of the panpipes (LP 532)

Zamfir Baroque Concertos (Vinyl, Philips, 1988) **** 

Genre: Classical

Places I remember: Marbecks Records

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles/ Gear costume: Telemann Concerto in A

Active compensatory factors: This is yet another example of a record I would not have in my collection if it weren't for working at Marbecks Records during my holiday breaks.

I'd often wander into the classical shop in the arcade and ask questions about what was good in the baroque sub-genre. This was one recommendation.

At first I was very sceptical - the terrible cover and Gheorghe Zamfir is/was the panflute guy who was outrageously popular with the easy listening pan pipe albums.

But I perservered and one listen was enough to dispell all the prejudices I held.

This is a great album!

Where do they all belong? That's it for the classical division.

Stranger on the shore (Roger Williams) (LP 531)

Roger Williams Mr. Piano (Vinyl, Kapp Records, 1962) ** 

Genre: Easy listening

Places I remember: My dad's record collection.

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles/ Gear costume: Niagara Theme 

Active compensatory factors: I continue to own this for nostalgic reasons - pure and simple. The record itself holds nothing for a child of the Beatles (aside from the George Martin track - keep reading).

There's the ridiculously bad portrait on the cover, the schmaltzy string arrangements that accompany the piano, and the very mannered playing style of Roger Williams (born Louis Weertz, on my birthday - October 1, in 1924). Sounds interesting? There are 50 available via discogs for around $2.00 each!

But, thanks to dad - here it is! That cover was always around (the purply stain on the back cover is instant nostalgia) and the song selection holds it firmly in place (Themes from Dr Kildare and Ben Casey are evidence of that).

The only slight point of interest is his version of George Martin's Niagara Theme (George's song was done by his own Orchestra and issued in 1965). But it's not a great tune, I'm sorry to report.

Where do they all belong? Mercifully, that's the last album in my Easy Listening section.

Yin-yang (John Lee) (LP 528 - 530)

The Eleventh House featuring Larry Coryell Level One (Vinyl, Arista Records, 1975) *****

The Eleventh House featuring Larry Coryell Aspects (Vinyl, Arista Records, 1976) ***

Coryell/Mouzon Back Together Again (Vinyl, Atlantic Records, 1977) ****

Genre: Jazz fusion 

Places I remember: Real Groovy Records (Auckland)

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Rock and Roll Lovers (Back Together Again)

Gear costume: Nyctaphobia (Level One)

Active compensatory factors: I like my jazz fusion with a beat that is inventive but also one that I can understand and Alphonse Mouzon fits the bill. He is an amazing drummer. 

Larry Coryell is like John McLaughlin - a whirlwind on guitar.

What I like about these albums is the way all the musicians blend and give room to each other. The Other Side (on Level One) is a great example.

If you want to pick one of these to launch into, I'd recommend Level One. It feels like five albums' highlights compressed into one, with brilliant and inspired playing throughout.

Where do they all belong? Next up in the vinyl fusion department is Deodato.

Give it one (Maynard Ferguson) (LP 527)

Maynard Ferguson M.F. Horn Two (Vinyl, CBS Records, 1972) ***

Genre: Big Band Jazz 

Places I remember: A Country Traders second hand shop in Palmerston North 

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Mother (Yes - the John Lennon song is given a lively rendition by a jazz trumpeter - go figure, somehow it really works!)

Gear costume: Spinning Wheel (Yes - the Blood Sweat and Tears song) 

Active compensatory factors: I came across this mint copy amongst the usual dross in a second hand furniture shop on the outskirts of Palmerston North a few years ago.

I knew of Canadian trumpeter Maynard Ferguson but what really sold me was the cheap as chips price for a mint copy, the choice of cover songs (as well as the two named above, Maynard has a turn at Hey Jude, Theme From "Shaft", and Country Road) and the fact that this was recorded in 1972. Maybe the best year for my type of music, ever!

It doesn't really disappoint, goes without saying that the players are stellar musicians, but I'm not a huge fan of the trumpet (Jacky can't stand it), and there are FIVE other trumpeters on this album APART FROM Maynard! So, it doesn't get a lot of listens outside of ARF (Abbey Road Five, a.k.a the Shack, a.k.a. the vault).

Where do they all belong? Although I enjoy this album, I'm not searching for M.F. Horn One etc.

Electronic Lover (Ray Parker Jr) (LP 526)

Ray Parker Jr Woman Out Of Control (Vinyl, Arista Records, 1983) ** 

Genre: Soul 

Places I remember: Hastings' Record Exchange

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: I Still Can't Get Over Loving You

Gear costume: Woman Out Of Control 

Active compensatory factors: Ray Parker Jr with and without Raydio was a force in the seventies and eighties (Raydio broke up in 1981). Ghostbusters is of course what first comes to mind when his name comes up, but he's so much more than that mega-hit.

This is a very rewarding listening experience - Ray's smooth vocals and likeability, the sharp sounds (yes, of course it's dated but that's now part of the appeal) and the catchy tunes, all make Ray Parker Jr ripe for your reappraisal!

Where do they all belong? More Ray Jr to come when I cover  Raydio.

It must be a camel (Frank Zappa) (LP 525)

Frank Zappa Hot Rats (Cassette Tape, Vinyl and CD, Zappa Records and Ryko, 1968) ***** 

Genre: Alternative rock (but really Zappa is a genre unto himself) 

Places I remember: The cassette version came first, from my cousin Christine in the UK during the mid seventies, Vinyl reissue from JB Hi Fi in Palmerston North this year, CD from Real Groovy in between times.

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Willie The Pimp (Beefheart lifts it to another level)

Gear costume: Son Of Mr. Green Genes

Active compensatory factors: Zappa called this a 'movie for the ears' on the sleeve and that's a good description of how this oral feast plays out.

I've written about it on Goo Goo previously and I won't add too much more here, aside from saying I still play this album regularly and I still hear new things every time.

If you haven't yet experienced Hot Rats, and you're maybe a little put off by Zappa's scatological approach at times, try it. You'll love it!

I especially recommend the reissue on pristine vinyl with all the original album art. It's beautiful!

Where do they all belong? Relax, there are many more Zappa albums to come in this countdown.

Roamin' amd ramblin' (The Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation) (LP 521- 524)

The Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation The Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation (CD, Not Bad Records, 1968) ***

The Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation Doctor Dunbar's Prescription (Vinyl, Not Bad Records, 1968) **** 

The Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation To Mum From Aynsley And The Boys (CD, Not Bad Records, 1969) **** 

The Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation Remains To Be Heard (Vinyl, Not Bad Records, 1970) **

Genre: Blues 

Places I remember: Slow Boat Records, Vinyl Countdown

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Let It Ride (To Mum)

 

Gear costume: Run You Off The Hill (To Mum); Change Your Lowdown Ways (DrD'sP)

Active compensatory factors: Aynsley Dunbar first came to my attention as the drummer in Frank Zappa's early seventies Mothers, then he turned up in Journey and Jefferson Starship (1979 to 81). Wow! A serious pedigree.

I did already know about The Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation though - specifically Doctor Dunbar's Prescription, as I'd seen it in Marbecks record racks but I was a bit young and the cover was a bit freaky!

When I finally caught up I was astounded how good they were! Those two middle albums in particular are amazingly diverse and enjoyable. John Mayall's production of To Mum, is in particular, spectacular.

The fourth album is a barrel scraping affair (only two tracks feature Aynsley Dunbar, so the title is accurate). Side one is strong (features those two Dunbar appearances) but side 2 is quite weak - hence the two stars.

Where do they all belong? These four, the sum total of the albums The Aysnley Dunbar Retaliation released, are reissues from 2014 on Not Bad Records: great finds on recent trips to Wellington and New Plymouth.  

Rock that boogie (Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen) (LP 518 - 520)

Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen Country Casanova (Vinyl, Paramount Records, 1973) *** 

Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen (Vinyl, Warner Brothers Records, 1975) *** 

Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen Tales From the Ozone (Vinyl, Paramount Records, 1975) *** 

Genre: Country 

Places I remember: First two came from Real Groovy, third was from a second hand shop in Manchester.

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Rock That Boogie (Country Casanova)

Gear costume: Smoke Smoke Smoke (That Cigarette) 

Active compensatory factors: I have a soft spot for Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen. They don't take themselves too seriously; they are a lot of fun; they boogie and they swing in a down home country way; they don't sound slick and polished - more like a garage band than a bunch of Nashville cats; and their album covers are a real hoot!

Each album is a rewarding experience. The second one here (actually their 4th studio album) sounds more honed, and Willin' is the perfect song for the boys to do.

Tales From the Ozone was their fifth studio album and the last one to feature most of the original lineup. It continues the varied approach - from Minnie The Moocher to The Band like Lightnin' Bar Blues.

Where do they all belong? That wraps up the Commander's albums. If you want a great sampler - Too Much Fun has all the high spots.

The hustler (Baker Gurvitz Army) (LP 516 - 517)

Baker Gurvitz Army Baker Gurvitz Army (Vinyl, Vertigo, 1974) ***

Baker Gurvitz Army Elysian Encounter (Vinyl, Mountain Records, 1975) ***

Genre: Progressive rock 

Places I remember: Chaldon Books and Records (Caterham on the hill)

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: 4 Phil

Gear costume: Mad Jack; People (EE)

Active compensatory factors: After Cream, Blind Faith, and Ginger Baker's Airforce (great first album, forgettable second), Ginger Baker hung out with the Gurvitz brothers for a few years in the mid seventies.

Part rock and part prog, the brothers could play but they weren't Jack Bruce or Eric Clapton. Well, nobody is, but you know what I mean.

The main issue with the first album (I don't have their third and final studio album) is the vocals. Ginger chimes in raspily from time to time (Mad Jack is his best vocal effort ever, by far), but the brothers are the main vocalists on the debut and they are just not distinctive enough for my money.

Stephen Parsons (a.k.a. Mr Snips) takes over lead vocals on Elysian Encounter and he's much better - with a more bluesy delivery. At times he sounds a little like Steve Winwood (especially on Time).

So, if you like seventies prog rock with the accent on rock, then these albums are a rewarding listen - especially the second one.

Where do they all belong? That's it for Ginger in my collection. R.I.P. Peter 'Ginger' Baker - quite a character.

Is this what you want? (Jackie Lomax) (LP 514 - 515)

Jackie Lomax Is This What You Want? (Vinyl, Apple Records, 1969) ****

Jackie Lomax Did You Ever Have That Feeling? (Vinyl, Capitol Records, 1977) ***

Genre: Apple Records/Dark Horse etc 

Places I remember: Marbecks Records (Auckland); Real Groovy (Auckland)

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Fall Inside Your Eyes

Gear costume: Speak To Me, Sour Milk Sea

Active compensatory factors: The Apple Records one is a noteworthy album for Beatle completists as it was produced by George, and both Paul and Ringo also appear.

It's also a damn fine rock album. Jackie's vocals are drenched in soul and R'n'B and the songs are memorable and catchy, plus the musicians are all rock gods! How could it go wrong?

Well, it was probably too much of a good thing at the time, because it had little commercial appeal outside of Beatle obsessives. Weird.

Where do they all belong? After leaving Apple his records were good but not great so I only have this one from the late seventies to add to the collection.

Come together (The Beatles) (LP 512 - 513)

The Beatles Abbey Road (Vinyl and CDs, Apple Records, 1969) ***** 

The Beatles Abbey Road - 3LP Anniversary Edition  (Vinyl and CDs, Apple Records, 1969) ***** 

Genre: Beatle pop/rock 

Places I remember: DJ Records; HMV Oxford St; The Warehouse; Kings Recording - Abu Dhabi

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Come Together

Gear costume: Everything else. It's the bloody Beatles! 

Active compensatory factors: It's a ritual I've had for the last 40 years: whenever moving house - first thing I do is set up my turntable, amp and speakers - select this album and turn up Come Together (and then let the album play out).

That means I've bought it a few times now!

I have a huge shit eating grin on my face every time I do it. Miraculously, every time I play it I feel like it's the first time.

When I began collecting Beatle albums in 1970 with the Hey Jude compilation, both Abbey Rd., and Let It Be were pretty much brand new, and soon to join Hey Jude on my wire record rack.

Of all the versions, I prefer my original vinyl edition. It still sounds incredible and while I applaud Giles Martin's efforts to keep them sonically current, I don't play that version (the outtakes record is great to hear all the same).

Plus: how cool is that cover? No band name - the four figures are iconic as they walk across the road a little along from the St John's Wood EMI studios. During the photo session, there would have been no doubt that John was in front, leading the way!

Where do they all belong? Their best album? So many contenders. I'm still a White Album, then Revolver, then Abbey Road kind of guy. Yes, Sgt Pepper is 4th! Crazy!! Breathtaking quality.

One man rock and roll band (Roy Harper) (LP 508 - 511)

Roy Harper Stormcock (CD, Science Friction, 1971) ***** 

Roy Harper Whatever Happened To Jugula? (CD, Science Friction, 1985) **

Roy Harper Death Or Glory (CD, Science Friction, 1994) *** 

Roy Harper Man & Myth (CD, Bella Union, 2013) **** 

Genre: Folk 

Places I remember: JB HiFi; HMV

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: All of Stormcock! January Man (Man & Myth)

Gear costume: Elizabeth (Jugula)

Active compensatory factors: Roy's been at it a while - these four CDs cover four of his six music making decades.

I've covered the classic, brilliant Stormcock before. 

Jugula features Jimmy Page on guitar, but is uneven - what with a poem, and Advertisement - a weird 'humourous' track. Although  Elizabeth is great, the eighties were a tough decade for many sixties artists and Roy is no exception.

 

The nineties brought Death Or Glory - a much more coherent effort. Sounds great too!

But the best of the post Stormcock bunch is Man & Myth. If it's to be his last album, then it's a fitting high point to go out on. The amazing January Man is my favourite but the rest of the album is particularly strong.

Hats off to you Roy!

 

Where do they all belong? That's it for Roy Harper on CD.

Running on faith (Eric Clapton) (LP 507)

Eric Clapton Journeyman (CD, Reprise, 1989) *** 

Genre: Blues 

Places I remember: Another CD inherited from Lindsay Hope

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Bad Love

Gear costume: Running On Faith, Run So Far

Active compensatory factors: Widely acknowledged as a return to form at the time, Journeyman has a lot of good songs. Quite a few of the tracks ended up on the Unplugged setlist - which is a good indication of quality.

Note of caution though: there's a whiff of the lingering eighties production values throughout, with the drums and synth sounds. Shudder!

Beatles completists please also note: George Harrison appears on one track - Run So Far, playing some trademark guitar and doing some harmony vocals.

Where do they all belong? And that's it for Eric on CD in my collection.  

Gimme something good (Ryan Adams) (LP 505 - 506)

Ryan Adams 1989 (CD, Pax-Am, 2015) ***

Ryan Adams 10 Songs From Live At Carnagie Hall (CD, Pax-Am, 2015) *** 

Genre: Americana 

Places I remember: The Warehouse (Hastings)

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Welcome To New York (1989); Oh My Sweet Carolina (10 Songs)

Gear costume: Bad Blood; How You Get The Girl (1989) 

Active compensatory factors: The 1989 album is, of course, his take on Taylor Swift's original album. It's definitely different to Ta Ta's album. Shake It Off for instance is almost unrecognisable.

After the bravura first track, Welcome To New York, the real strength of the album comes in the middle with Bad Blood, Wildest Dreams, How You get The Girl forming an impressive trio.

The live 10 Songs are culled from the longer Live album. It cuts the between songs' patter and is a tight collection of Ryan solo on guitar and piano. It's a strong combination.

Strpped down versions work for him here. None of Ta Ta's songs are featured though. 

Where do they all belong? That's it for Ryan in my collection. He's been accused of various things by the MeToo movement and has yet to surface again from that. Which all makes him a problematic listening experience but he's not Ian Watkins from Lostprophets right?

Easy from now on (Emmylou Harris) (LP 504)

Emmylou Harris Quarter Moon In A Ten Cent Town (CD, Warner Bros, 1978) ****

Genre: Country 

Places I remember: The Warehouse (Cambridge)

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: To Daddy; Defying Gravity

Gear costume: Two More Bottles Of Wine

Active compensatory factors: I picked this up in a sale and then wondered (still do) why I don't have more of her stuff.

Weird - because this is great country music.

The playing is deft, the vocals crystal clear, the songs terrific. But somehow, and I really don't know why, it doesn't stick for me.

Maybe it's my rockist sensibilities but this is nice, without being essential listening in my world. Sorry Emmylou.

Where do they all belong? It's the only album I have by her, coming up are some Gram Parsons albums which she appears on. They are more to my taste.

Dance with waves (Anouar Brahem) (LP 502 - 503)

Anouar Brahem Le Pas Du Chat Noir (CD, ECM, 2002) ***

Anouar Brahem the Astounding Eyes Of Rita (CD, ECM, 2009) **** 

Genre: ECM Jazz 

Places I remember: Dubai Mall - Virgin Megastore

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: The Astounding Eyes Of Rita

Gear costume: Two great classy ECM covers on show.

Active compensatory factors: I prefer The Astounding Eyes Of Rita overall to Le Pas Du Chat Noir purely because of the accompanying instruments. I've touched on Rita before.

Anouar's oud is matched on Rita with bass, bass clarinet and darbouka, while Chat has piano and accordian.

Both have wonderful playing by all concerned, and room to breathe. 

One of Jacky's horse friends was around home recently while Chat was playing and asked what the wonderful music was. Anouar's music is different, interesting and pleasing to the ear/air.

Where do they all belong? That's it for Anouar in the ECM CD pile.

I do it for your love (Bill Evans) (LP 501)

Bill Evans Affinity (CD, Warner Bros, 1979) ***

Genre: Piano Jazz 

Places I remember: Kings Recording (Abu Dhabi)

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Blue in Green

Gear costume: Great cover! 

Active compensatory factors: We start the next 500 albums with this little oddity: Bill Evans, jazz pianist and legend (he played on Kind Of Blue - enough said), here teams up with Toots Thielemans (harmonica).

It's sometimes as odd as that sounds, but also ends up being pretty cool when bass (Marc Johnson's debut), drums, and sax are added to the mix.

Gotta say, I'm an absolute sucker for the Fender Rhodes electric piano. It's such a great sound and Bill Evans is a master!

Where do they all belong? A bit of a one-off in my collection - the only album I own by Bill and/or Toots.

That's life (LP 498 - 500)

Michael Bublé Call me Irresponsible (CD, Reprise, 2007) *** 

Michael Bublé Crazy Love (CD, Reprise, 2009) *** 

Michael Bublé Christmas (CD, Reprise, 2012) **** 

Genre: Jazz vocals 

Places I remember: Charity shops in Caterham for the first 2 and HMV Oxford Street for the Christmas one.

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Crazy Love (Crazy Love); Home (CMI - bonus CD)

Gear costume: Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! (CMI) 

Active compensatory factors: I have a great memory of driving from Caterham to North Wales in December two years ago and playing the Christmas CD in the car with Jacky. Magic.

In truth I'm not a huge fan of his work - those first two CDs were picked up for a pound each from the charity shops and they are pretty uneven. His voice suits some cover material but not all.

I definitely understand the appeal - he's a massive star! A global phenomenon. But sometimes that means you're trying to please a very wide range of people and therefore, you're hit and miss.

When he's on though - as he is in those three selections above - he's truly great.

Where do they all belong? And that's it for Mr Bublé.

Nomad (Dave Brubeck Quartet) (LP 492 - 497)

The Dave Brubeck Quartet Jazz Impressions Of Eurasia (CD, Avid Jazz, 1958) ***

Dave Brubeck Dave Brubeck At Storyville 1954 (CD, Avid Jazz, 1954) **

Dave Brubeck Quartet Jazz Impressions Of The USA (CD, Avid Jazz, 1957) ***

The Dave Brubeck Quartet Dave Digs Disney (CD, Avid Jazz, 1957) **** 

Dave Brubeck Quartet Southern Scene (CD, Avid Jazz, 1960) **** 

The Dave Brubeck Quartet The Dave Brubeck Quartet In Europe (CD, Avid Jazz, 1958) *** 

Genre: Piano Jazz

Places I remember: JB HiFi

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Calcutta Blues (Jazz Impressions Of Eurasia); Little Rock Getaway (Southern Scene)

Gear costume: When You're Smiling (At Storyville 1954); Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen (Southern Scene) 

Active compensatory factors: This compilation of Brubeck albums also contains the classic Time Out album, which I've written about already.

The Eurasia album has some interesting textures, and is very different to Time Out. 

The 1954 Storyville set isn't all that well recorded - technology for live recordings being what it was back in the early fifties. 

Jazz Impressions of the USA is split over the two sets and is good but not great. 

Where do they all belong? These great value reissue packages are my final batch of Dave Brubeck albums on CD. 

I think my dad would have been impressed by how many Dave Brubeck albums I actually own - many more than he did when he was around.

Put it on the line (Stanley Clarke) (LP 490 - 491)

Stanley Clarke/ George Duke  The Clarke/ Duke Project II (CD, Epic, 1983) ** 

Stanley Clarke  If This Bass Could Only Talk (CD, CBS, 1988) *** 

Genre: Jazz fusion 

Places I remember: Both from the Lindsay Hope collection

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles/ Gear Costume: Workin' Man (ITBCOT) 

Active compensatory factors: I love George Duke's work with Zappa and the first Project album from 1981 with Stanley Clarke was fun.

But this is dire in comparison. The date gives it away - by 1983 it was all terrible 80's production. But the songs aren't much either. 

Pains me to say, but it's ultimately a waste of their talents.

If This Bass Could Only Talk is much better, and features some jazz superstars like Wayne Shorter, Freddie Hubbard, and yes, George Duke on one track, but it's still not up to his seventies output.

The eighties decade was not a kind one to these guys! Actually, was it kind to anyone?

Where do they all belong? That's it for the Stanley Clarke corner of the Fusion Jazz CD section of the collection.

Village Blues (John Coltrane) (LP 488 - 489)

John Coltrane Coltrane Plays The Blues (CD, Atlantic, 1962) ***** 

John Coltrane Blue World (CD, Impulse!, 2019) ****

Genre: Jazz 

Places I remember: Real Groovy Records; JB HiFi (Palmerston North)

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Mr Day - CPTB

Gear costume: Naima (take 2) - Blue World

Active compensatory factors: These are two albums on the fringes of the John Coltrane canon. 

The blues album, made up from sessions for the My Favourite Things album, was issued on Atlantic after he'd left the label. So it's not something released with his approval. Never-the-less, it's five star genuis all the same!

And Blue World was only released last year. It features material created between the Crescent and A Love Supreme albums that was used in a film The Cat In The Bag (released in 1964 under its French title - Le Chat Dans Le Sac). 

Where do they all belong? That's it for the Coltrane section of my CD Jazz collection. I'm sure I'll be adding to it in time though.

Emotional winter (Anathema) (LP 485 - 487)

Anathema Judgement (CD, Music For Nations/Sony, 1999) ***

Anathema A Fine Day To Exit (CD, Music For Nations/Sony, 2001) *** 

Anathema A Natural Disaster (CD, Music For Nations/Sony, 2003) ***  

Genre: Progressive Rock

Places I remember: The Warehouse (New Plymouth); Real Groovy Records

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: One Last Goodbye (Judgement)

Gear costume:  Closer (A Natural Disaster)

Active compensatory factors: The first Anathema CD I bought was A Fine Day To Exit - based on a recommendation from my then hairdresser at Headquarters in NP. As we chatted over a haircut we got to talking about music we liked - and she seemed to like the same prog metal bands I did.

Anyway, I got a copy based on the cover - reminded me a lot of Hipgnosis' approach and really liked the sounds - not metal at all really - more progressive and therefore more to my taste.

I backtracked and bought the other two over time.

I don't spend much time listening to the messages - they have a doom metal background which still surfaces in the themes and lyrics on these albums. Instead, I'm a day person! I let the sounds wash over me - my choices above are good examples of that.

Where do they all belong? Four more CDs to come from them after a seven year gap from A Natural Disaster.