FRAME OF MIND

Somewhat sluggish but generally decent progressive heavy blues from this short-lived German bunch on their only offering with Dieter Dirks' helping hands on production. Led by guitarist Andy Kirnberger and fleshed-out with Cherry Hochdorfer's organ, Frame didn't always bring much new to the party but they were good players, and with a less stoned sound could've given 'Frame of Mind' the kickstart it needed to compete in the increasingly flashy and crowded progressive scene (they were among the Bacillus label's early artists such as Dschinn, Haze).

In league with other prog bluesmen as Badger, Odin, Traffic or Mainhorse as well as reflecting the impact of Vanilla Fudge and Procol Harum, the quintet's churchly mewling was unlikely to sell many records, ensuring Frame's bill-sharing status and brief lifespan. The dreary title cut plays like garden variety Woodstock-era folkrock with Hochdorfer's deep organ sounds filling up the space well and the band jamming nicely, Peter Lotz, Wolfgang Claus and Dieter Becker's rhythms briefly getting into Santana territory. 'All I Really Want Explain', the 11-minute centerpiece, is an ambitious try at linking disparate songcraft together, suddenly swapping balladry for baroque, minor blues and back again, supported by the band's winsome vocal harmonies. Satisfying hard-rocker 'If' shows an outfit that was on to something but hadn't quite arrived yet, and 'Penny for an Old Guy' is straight riff-rock with a surprise soft center. I reckon 'Collectors/fans only' is just about right.