GREENSLADE

Not an act of UK's top progressive rock league,but nevertheless a very good company of important musicians,formed in autumn of 1972 and named after keyboardist Dave Greenslade.Greenslade,along with bassist Tony Reeves ,were among the founding members of one of the best early prog/blues bands,''Colloseum''.Other members were keyboardist Dave Lawson (ex-''Web'' and ''Samurai'') and drummer Andrew McCulloch,who had played on KING CRIMSON's ''Lizard'' and in ''Fields''.GREENSLADE's eponymous debut was released in 1973 on Warner Bros.

The band delivers absolutely great musicianship with excellent flowing compositions in a typical British symphonic style.With two keyboardists in the line-up,their sound is obviously led by the double keyboard plays,featuring atmospheric synth work,groovy Hammond organs and,of course, vintage mellotron breaks.Regarding the style of the compositions,this one starts from almost heavy symphonic organ-driven rock like BEGGAR'S OPERA and even DEEP PURPLE and ends up in almost smooth progressive rock with an intense romanticism in the vein of YES,GENESIS and lesser known-acts like CRESSIDA and FRUUPP.The vocal lines,sung by Lawson,are definitely satisfying and emotional,fitting excellently in the whole concept.A great balanced album,presenting old-school prog rock from the very first minute,that comes strongly recommended to anyone looking for this kind of sound.