AFFINITY

Affinity's sole release in their lifetime is this S/T album. Originally on the famed 'Vertigo' label and highly collectable, the wonderful Italian label 'Akarma' is responsible for re-issuing this (and many other prog rarities) with an affordable price tag, and even pressing this one onto orange vinyl !! Stylistically, the album covers many aspects of music from straight forward pop/rock (I Am And So Are You, I Wonder If I Care As Much), to 'underground' groove with 'Three Sisters', soft rock (Cocoanut Grove, Mr. Joy), the more typically progressive tunes being 'Night Flight' and their rendition of 'All Along The Watchtower. The music is superbly performed, with loads of excellent Hammond organ soloing from keyboardist Lynton Naiff (funny how the organ isn't even credited in the gatefold), solid bass playing from future studio session ace Mo Foster, competent drumming from Grant Serpell and the seductive voice of Lynda Hoyle, which can be ever so soft and sweet, or fiery and aggressive. Even guitarist Mike Jupp gets a chance to shine.

The lengthy 'Night Flight' (7.15) is a beauty - a precisely composed piece, book-ended with soft, melancholic verses, with the mid-section Hammond solo sounding very much like Atomic Rooster's Vincent Crane and the vocals sung to perfection by Lynda. 'Watchtower' goes on for 11.36, and features extended Hammond work-outs, and a grand, GRAND finale. It's huge !! 'Mr Joy' is an excellent track, showcasing the dynamics of Hoyle's voice, backed by rather sombre music. Of the remaining tracks, only their version of the Everly's 'I Wonder If I care As Much' is a rather weak choice, and the bonus tracks of 'Eli's Coming' and 'United States of Mind' being firmly 'pop' oriented. Another album deserving a 4 star rating though.