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IF YOU LIVE

Affinity

Eclectic Prog


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Affinity If You Live album cover
2.98 | 18 ratings | 5 reviews | 11% 5 stars

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Boxset/Compilation, released in 2002

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Eli's Coming [Single] (3:28)
2. United States of Mind [Single] (2:45)
3. Yes Man [#] (7:22)
4. If You Live [#] (3:12)
5. I Am the Walrus [#] (4:04)
6. You Met Your Match [#] (2:59)
7. Long Voyage [#] (4:17)
8. Little Lonely Man (3:57)

Total Time: 32:04

Line-up / Musicians

- Mo Foster / percussion, guitar (bass), double bass
- Linda Hoyle / vocals
- Lynton Naiff / percussion, piano, harpsichord, organ (Hammond), piano (electric), vibraphone, Wurlitzer
- Grant Serpell / percussion, drums

Releases information

CD Akarma 215 (2002)

Thanks to ProgLucky for the addition
and to Fassbinder for the last updates
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AFFINITY If You Live ratings distribution


2.98
(18 ratings)
Essential: a masterpiece of progressive rock music(11%)
11%
Excellent addition to any prog rock music collection(28%)
28%
Good, but non-essential (56%)
56%
Collectors/fans only (6%)
6%
Poor. Only for completionists (0%)
0%

AFFINITY If You Live reviews


Showing all collaborators reviews and last reviews preview | Show all reviews/ratings

Collaborators/Experts Reviews

Review by hdfisch
PROG REVIEWER
2 stars This posthumously released album from this early jazz-blues-rock band does not contain much material worth to be checked out by Prog fans. It's really just jazzy blues-rock with a folksy and psyche touch and quite an obvious pop-ish tendency. The two singles in the beginning are immediately a case for the skip button. Then there is Yes Man which is in fact the only one worth to mention (at least for me). The rest includes a (not too bad) Beatles cover, but there has been made a better one by Spooky Tooth. And anyway the original can't be topped IMO. Tracks 4,6 and 7 are rather mediocre, either bluesrock, pop-ish psyche rock or an awful commercial ballad as #7. Last track Little Lonely Man is not very special as well and moreover recorded in a very bad quality.

CONCLUSION

For fans,collectors and completionists only (2 stars maximum!)

Review by Eetu Pellonpaa
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator
3 stars What I like here most is the late 1960's aesthetics, quite romantic approach, and of course the enchanting vocals of Linda Hoyle. It's certainly more entertaiment than "artistic" music.

The CD starts with a single presentation, A-side "Eli's Coming" ("sweats") is a nice brass backed-up brisky tune with multitracked vocals, I guess this could be a Laura Gemser movie soundtrack, heh. B-side song "United States of Mind" is a folky acoustic piece resembling the psychedelic-era Beatles songs (covered later on the disc). The comes the "prog songs" of the album, which can be spotted even from the name, "Yes Man". This longer piece starts with a groovy smashing, which transforms toward more opressing stoned wandering in the forests of dark keyboards and bass guitar layers. The vocals and main riffs reminds little heavier side of Jefferson Airplane, and there are strong medleys between main part reprislas and instrumental solos. The title song "If You Live" is a bluesy groover, quite nice but not mind blowing or anything. Following Lennon/McCartney classic "I Am the Walrus" is quite direct replication of the original song, and thus not brining much extra value for it. But I admit, that Linda whips it out very nicely though, and I preferred listening her than the guys on the original. "You Met Your Match" is a faster song resembling little brassless version of the sound of Mogul Thrash due its powerful fronted bassline and groove. "Long Voyage" is mellow, romantic and pretty ballad, with some orchestral wallpaper and raw sounds. Though not maybe an exceptional in it's merits, I still liked this song very much, a good track to be played when passing out or such event. Final tune "Little Lonely Man" has quite poor sound quality, but it is nice cathy funky strut with good vocals and a nice keyboard solo.

So, I would recommended this for fans of late 60's British bluesy jazz rock sound with strong keyboard presence, and those liking nice lady singers. But for those searching only art rock content from their music this is not probably very rewarding album. If you liked the original Affinity album much, then this certainly is not a misinvestement either.

Review by snobb
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator
3 stars Excellent early jazz-rock/blues/pop/psychedelic band recorded and released just one album during their existence. Really pity!

This album is compilation of their singles, outtakes and unreleased materials. As often with such releases, you can't compare it with regular album, but sometimes such releases contain interesting material for fans. Same case is there - if you never heard Affinity's music, just start from their excellent debut/only album. But if you listened it and love their music, as I am, then try to find this release. You wouldn't be disappointed.

Main thing which attracts on this album - even from such eclectic material you can hear how huge potency had this band! Linda Hoyle is great vocalist, a bit in a manner of Julie Driscoll, and compositions all are melodic, with fantastic atmosphere of their time. Being a eclectic compilation, no strange songs are too different to sound as regular album. But - you will find some brilliant moments here, between some average and raw songs.

Stylistically, album's music is eclectic mix or r'n'b, early bluesy jazz rock, psychedelic pop and rock. Main difference with debut album is there are some great songs and some average songs. On their only studio album there are no fillers at all. But as rare possibility to hear some additional materials, this album is great release for band's fans.

My rating is 3+

Latest members reviews

3 stars After hearing the sheer brilliance of the debut LP, felt I needed to hear more. This short but sweet album of demos and rarities would do nicely. I knew before playing that this would not be as good as the 1st LP (see my review) but it has its moment. Some CD reissues contain all these tracks ... (read more)

Report this review (#123185) | Posted by kingdhansak | Wednesday, May 23, 2007 | Review Permanlink

4 stars This compilation contains their only single and unrealesed material. From their early works (1968 - for example, You met your match), and their sessions for the second album. Last one wasn't released later, and it's a pitty. 7-minute jazz-rock jam "Yes man" is a real masterpiece with great bas ... (read more)

Report this review (#30715) | Posted by Perry | Tuesday, October 12, 2004 | Review Permanlink

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