COLD CUTS

Aaaah, Greenwood, Greenwood, Greenwood........this album has long been a sought after relic for Prog-Heads and 70's music lovers of fine taste - it is worth an absolute fortune in its original press, but has since been re-issued on both CD and vinyl in recent years. That said, the Akarma vinyl pressing actually cuts the last track of side 1 by about one and a half minutes for some reason (??). Still, a very nice record. Being part of the phenomenal psychedelic ensemble 'Crazy World of Arthur Brown' as Bass- Player (I've always known the bassist of the Crazy World as going by the name of Sean Nicholas....) I speculate whether he joined Canterbury band KHAN *before* cutting this album, the production just isn't as 'lively' as Space Shanty.... Anyways, Nicholas recorded this one and only solo album full of highly inspired and quality tunes. As P.A.'s Guru reviewer Hugues points out, the sound is closer with the Crazy World than to Khan, but sometimes falls in between. Recruiting a great selection of musicians, the album opens with the magnificent, extended track 'A Sea Of Holy Pleasure - Parts 1-3', a beautifully composed and arranged piece show-casing the talents of the group - Dick Henningham on some heavy Hammond Organ (very Vincent Crane-like), luscious Flutes from Bunk Gardener, Nick's busy and effective Bass-lines and gorgeous vocals - sometimes he really lets loose), and a great Drummer in Eric Peachy (also of Steve Hillage's KHAN - Space Shanty being one of, if not THE best album this Prog-lover has the honour of owning and listening to). The overall sound is augmented by fine String and Brass arrangements, giving the music a more diverse flavour. Elsewhere the album offers some Bluesy moments (Big Machine, Melancholy), definate psychedelic passages (Hopes/Ambitions, in particular), some accessible and extremely catchy songs (if they were 'covered' these days, they could well be hits - Lead Me On, Close The Doors and Promised Land), and deep and introspective pieces in Corruption (with lyrics Ozzy Osbourne would be proud of), Mirror Images and Realisation/Death. In all cases, the sound is shared freely and evenly between all the performers (the Organ playing couldn't be better), and I can give my 100 % recommendation by saying this album is a solid 4 stars. Treasure the moments.