BACK INTO THE FUTURE

Man's 1973 album titled "Back Into The Future" was a major progressive jump for this Irish act and was issued as a double LP set and was filled with perhaps their most compelling studio and live material (outside of "Be Good To Yourself At Least Once A Day"). The band was comprised of lead guitarist and vocalist Micky Jones, Phil Ryan (keyboards), Terry Williams (drums, percussion), Tweke Lewis (guitars, vocals) and Will Youatt (bass, vocals). Musically circa 1973, Man blended the musical prowess of Nektar with the artpop sensitivities of bands like 10CC and City Boy. This album was also for a me a lot like Floyd's "Ummagumma" which was fractued into a studio disc and live disc with both apsects working to brilliance. Man's most interesting work usually stemmed from their live performances, but on "Back Into The Future" the studio material rivals IMHO and equals the live material. A review of this album would not complete without the mention of the epic and mostly improvised track "Jam Up Jelly Tight/Oh No Not Again" which took up 1 complete side of the second album and will absolutely blow you away. Honorable mention also goes out for the great live version of "C'mon" which evokes a huge allusion to the music Pink Floyd and manages to clock in just under 20 mins!. One of the greatest Man tracks also doubles as the title track of the album which would rank on my top 100 Prog songs of all time!. As stunning album and absolutely essential.