SUGARLOAF

It's quite funny to me knowing this band only from a pop music compilation cassette sometime in mid seventies with a very good song titled as "Don't Call Us, We Call You". I knew that the name of the band who played it, Sugarloaf, must be the one who played rock music as I looked at the riffs from that pop song. I then finally traced back the background of the band and thanks to the internet that finally I knew a bit history of the band whom they named it as Chocolate Hair prior obtaining contract to record their debut album in 1970. The story about the band indeed is about the vocalist and keyboardist vocalist and keyboardist Jerry Corbetta who met with guitarist Bob Webber of the Moonrakers; the other initial bandmembers were drummer Bob MacVittie and rhythm guitarist Veeder Van Dorn III, also from the Moonrakers, plus bassist Bob Raymond. They changed their name to Sugarloaf, a mountain in Colorado.

This debut album from 1970 is good to me as the music is still raw an it represents the seventies music in terms of guitar riffs and fills as well as keyboard work. It opens with their top hit song (no. 3 in the US) Green-Eyed Lady where the music is really vintage and I can sense a very dynamic riffs and good keyboard work. The band also play the Medley: Bach Doors Man / Chest Fever nicely and it has a very good combination of solo keyboard / hammond combined with guitar. The drum work sounds raw and it's nice hearing this old school classic rock. The long keyboard work and guitar rhythm section has made this song sounds interesting to my ear. West of Tomorrow starts with simple basslines followed with vocal line and the music moves in medium tempo. Gold and the Blues is really an excellent instrumental blues track with great keyboard / hammond work and raw guitar work. I sometime make this track as my one of my playlist in enjoying blues music. The guitar playing, basslines and drum beats are all really nice. After a long guitar solo the track then enters the hammond solo. It's really nice! Things Gonna Change Some is another good track in psychedelic style.

Overall, it's a very good album and recommended to those of you who like vintage rock music and do not expect much prog at all. Keep on proggin' ...!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW