THE WELSH CONNECTION

The 1976 release entitled WELSH CONNECTION is one of MAN's best efforts! If you have never heard anything by this talented and diverse group then let me help to fill you in.

The sound is rocking, but with that smooth flow and heavy distictive bass line that was such a part of the sound of the 1970's prog rock movement. The music featured is somewhat similar to groups of that period like PFM, NEKTAR, COLLISEUM2 and even CAN. The music has a fusion flavor and traces of electronica are tossed in for good measure!

This album flows from one cut to the next effortlessly and sounds fresh and, yes even progressive today! I used to see this in cut to bins years ago and it was fairly common, but now days MAN lps may be a bit hard to locate. I am not sure how much of their stuff has been released on cd, but it's safe to say that if you buy anything by MAN, that it will be good!

Stand out cuts on WELSH CONNECTION include side one opener THE RIDE AND THE VIEW (I have heard live versions of this but none compare to the excellent studio version heard here), OUT OF YOUR HEAD (this tune sticks with you) and the title track WELSH CONNECTION. All I can say about this one is, if you can find it GET IT!

Man's last studio album before they split up for the first time in 1977 and fortunately they went out on a high. Sometimes criticised for it's smooth production and maybe it is a little but it works well with the material on this album.

Full of great songs including what was to become live favourite "The Ride and the View" which was to turn into a slide guitar showcase for Deke Leonard. But as much as I like Deke to be present in the Man line-up (He's come and gone a few times over the years) it's Micky Jones who really shines here with some beautiful and fluid guitar solos. This guy is so underrated!

Side 2 (on the original vinyl version) is spot on with each of the 3 tracks being up there with the best of Man, especially "Born with a Future".

Sadly the reformed 80's onward versions of man would never reach such musical heights in the studio although they continued to be an excellent live act.