BACK DOOR

BACK DOOR were a Jazz Rock band out of the UK and this is their debut from 1973. They would release 4 studio albums in the 70's and they were a great act to see live apparently. A trio of sax, bass and drums so they had a hard time getting signed to a record label as they all wanted to know where the guitarist or keyboardist were. These guys were stubborn enough to continue this way playing live gigs and impressing the crowds. Soon they get the invitation to open for RETURN TO FOREVER at Ronnie Scott's club for a few weeks and suddenly the offers started to come and they signed with Warner Bros.

A mixed bag here although these three guys are insane players. I keep reading that the bass player was one of the best at the time. He will lead here with his bass or just help with the rhythm but man can he play. The sax player too adds some raw energy as the main solo instrument. So while it still feels like a stripped down Jazz Rock band to me, they had some attitude to make up for it. The sax player adds flute mainly on one track "Human Bed". The sax sounds like a chicken on "Slivadiv". Hilarious tune. "Lieutenent Loose" is a bass solo while everyone goes crazy on "Catcote Rag". The best though might be the opener "Vienna Breakdown" for the sax, the energy and yes the attitude.

Interesting that by their third album they brought in a guest guitarist and keyboardist the latter being Dave MacRae which is awesome. But by that fourth and last 70's album they were back as a trio. It was just meant to be. Not a fan of that album cover.