CHARGE!

Not much of a reviewer, but do like to bring some of those hidden treasures to the forefront once in a while. This band formed from a couple of backing musicians that toured with the Rolling Stones, drummer Keith Webb and keyboardist Pete Solley. In 1970 they formed Paladin with Peter Beckett on bass (World of Oz), another keyboard player Lou Stonebridge (Glass Menagerie), and guitarist Derek Foley (Grisby Dyke).

It is quite the variety and blend of styles with pleasing vocals as well as a tad of jazz/rock fusion. It all borders around prog and psych tendencies throughout.

First track "Give Me Your Hand", is a nice cow bell influenced rock song in the beginning that gets into a cool jamming session with some psychedelic mixes that sound like a distorted synth violin from keyboards or maybe guitar, can't tell for sure. Good opener.

Second song "Well We Might", sort of reminds me a little bit of Grand Funk of the Craig period with the organ as well as their own sound and other various rock influences.

The third number "Get On Together" has a definite Santana sound to it, all instrumental and good.

The fourth title, "Anyway" seems to have the vibe of a mix of Argent and the Beatles, very nice.

The fifth track "Good Lord" makes me think of the Allman Brothers, yep the Allmans but then drifts off into some dreamy jam, then back to the Allman sound. This could be my favorite of the album.

Sixth number, "Mix Your Mind With Moonbeams" shows signs of Manfred Mann or Barkley James Harvest and their own sound. Quite soothing.

On the seventh track, "Watching the World Pass By", it starts with a harmonica driven, easy beat that fools you into being a short song but then bursts into a classic organ leading rock song, then twists into a sort of Scottish hills foot stomping violin episode, then back to the beginning organ driven rock. Quite a fun and jamming song all in all, with excellent guitar work.

The CD I have has an extra 7 tracks of bonus material in addition to the original album with only 1 "redo" of a song on the original, the rest are all new. I believe it is the 2007 remaster disc. Nice treat!

I really like this album, it sounds familiar but very fresh. For me there is enough material in the prog world to give it a rating of 4 stars.

AEProgman

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