THE GODS FEATURING KEN HENSLEY

The Gods are best remembered for the bands the members went on to join, rather for their own music. Ken Hensley became the keyboard player and principal song writer with Uriah Heep before joining Blackfoot and pursuing a solo career. Lee Kerslake also joined Uriah Heep whom he remained with until this year (apart from brief spell with Ozzie Osbourne's band). John Glasscock was a stalwart of Jethro Tull. Uriah Heep bassist Paul Newton, Mick Taylor and Greg Lake also featured in the line up, but not on the band's albums.

This compilation takes it tracks from both of the God's studio releases in roughly equal proportions. Also included are several non album singles and B sides.

While the line up may have spawned several prog dignitaries, there is little if any hint of prog here. The songs are heavy for the time, with Hensley's Hammond playing and distinctive vocals much in evidence. Some tracks, such as the Hensley composed "Candlelight" offer hints of the early sound of Uriah Heep, but the compositions rarely stray far from a pop vein. The interpretation of Bernstein and Sondheim's "Maria" sounds distinctly like one of Vanilla Fudge's unique cover versions.

The multi-part vocal harmonies present here would go on to become a Uriah Heep trademark. "Yes I cry" is worth hearing for the early mellotron use, giving the track a distinctive orchestrated feel. The falsetto vocals on "Looking glass" bear a spooky resemblance to those of the late David Byron (of Uriah Heep), especially on the la-la chorus. The intro to the final track "Misleading colours" sound like a Hendrix song, but a more orthodox pop composition lies in wait.

Ironically, if anyone appears to be attempting to push the boundaries, it is Joe Konas. Konas, (who is the principal song writer contributing even more than the prolific Hensley) was the member of the line up whom superstar status eluded, yet it is his guitar work which is the most striking feature of the album. Konas now works in a music shop in Ontario Canada, and teaches guitar technique.

In all, an album which will be of passing interest to those seeking the roots of Uriah Heep, but there is little here for those seeking the roots of prog.