BOTH HANDS FREE

Jazz Rock/Fusion • United Kingdom

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Both Hands Free biography
BOTH HANDS FREE was an obscure jazz rock group from Manchester consisting of Dave HASSEL, Pete GLENNON, Phil CHAPMAN and Ritchie CLOSE. Allegedly they were regulars in the pub scene in the area when they were discovered by Rick KEMP of STEELEYE SPAN who took them to a studio and helped produce their album in the mid 70's, which can be recommended to fans of spacier fusion that leaves some breathing room for atmosphere, comparable to a louder WEATHER REPORT for example. The group didn't make more records and musicians mostly continued work as session musicians rather than as a band, with keyboardist Ritchie CLOSE even working in live performances with CAMEL in the early 80's.

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BOTH HANDS FREE discography

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3.19 | 7 ratings

Both Hands Free
1976

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BOTH HANDS FREE Reviews

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Both Hands Free by BOTH HANDS FREE album cover

Studio Album, 1976
3.19 | 7 ratings
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Both Hands Free
Both Hands Free Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by Mellotron Storm
Prog Reviewer

3.5 stars. Rick Kemp from STEELEYE SPAN was on tour and in Manchester when an ex-musical colleague approached him about seeing this amazing Jazz Rock band, so off they went to the basement of a pub in Manchester where this four piece played every Sunday morning. Rick was so impressed that he asked the band if he could record an album for them. He would Produce it and this is the result from this band called BOTH HANDS FREE. The band had this philosophy about their music that it was simply made for the moment never to be heard again and totally dictated by mood. They even wondered if they should release it after it was finished but Rick convinced them.

There's so much variety on here and for me that's what keeps this at 3 stars and not 4 stars. Just a lot of hits and some misses. That striking cover art along with the opening track called "Space" must have confused a few Psychedelic fans out there. The song is sparse and experimental, unlike anything else on here really. Not very melodic. Some Funk on "City Slickers" and some traditional jazz bits too on this record. The sax player is nothing short of amazing with his different styles of playing and the sounds he produces. The electric piano is really good too. I just feel that while the music might be 4 stars my enjoyment level is not 4 stars. A tough one to rate but in the end 3.5 stars is just right.

Thanks to historian9 for the artist addition.