ALL OF US

Following the release of their debut album "The story of Simon Simopath", principal songwriters and performers Patrick Campbell-Lyons and Alex Spyropoulos decided to disband the group and continue as a duo. Before they did so however, a couple of further singles were recorded and released. Those singles are included on this album, which is therefore a mixture of songs by the line up from the first album, and by the duo which remained. The duo called upon the services of members of other Island Records bands such as CLOUDS and WYNDER K FROGG to play as session musicians when required.

The album opens with the stunning "Rainbow chaser". This psychedelic extravaganza is one of the most wonderful songs of the period. It rides on a sea of majestic phasing and orchestration, which at the time of it's release was nothing short of ground- breaking. The song may now sound rather light and pop, but the phased symphonics still get me every time.

"Rainbow chaser" is not particularly representative of the band's work around this time, which is generally closer to the second track "Tiny goddess". This beautifully delicate love song is very much of its time. It has the sound of BARCLAY JAMES HARVEST's "Early morning" with a high vocal and fine harmonies. The title track was originally commissioned as the theme for a film called "The Touchables", and subsequently released as a single. The song is a fine piece of harmonic pop from the flower power era, but is rather at odds with the striking sleeve image of a gang of ruthless warriors.

The remainder of the album follows the melodic psychedelic pop trail with tracks such as "Melanie blue" having a BEE GEES ("Melody fair") type sound. "The show must go on" is slightly different, being a folk sounding flute led instrumental with harpsichord and pleasant orchestration.

"All of us" is now very much an album of its time. The simplistic pop on which it is based disguises some fine harmonies and excellent instrumentation. What makes it essential though is the presence of "Rainbow chaser", one of the most remarkable songs of the period.

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