NEVERGREEN!

MISSING LINK released only one album in 1972 before breaking up. They were based in Munich which could boast of bands like AMON DUUL II, BETWEEN, EMBRYO, OUT OF FOCUS, POPOL VUH, SUBJECT ESQ. among others. Holger Brandt the drummer for MISSING LINK would go on to play for SAHARAH, while the keyboard player Dieter Miekautsch would go on to play for both EMBRYO and MISSUS BEASTLY. The music here has a strong Jazz flavour similar to early EMBRYO or KRAAN. They recorded "Nevergreen !" at Dieter Dierks studio and made use of the mellotron he had there.

"Spoiled Love" is heavy and dark to open, vocals arrive as it settles before a minute. Gorgeous guitar before 2 minutes goes on and on. A calm with keys a minute later then mellotron floods in. Amazing ! Sax before 4 minutes then the vocals return. Love this track. "Song For Ann" is filled with piano melodies. "Time Will Change" is a cool track with sax, piano, guitar and drums standing out at different times. It settles before 3 minutes as piano and vocals take over, then guitar and sax join in too. "Only Me" has a good uptempo intro before it settles with vocals a minute in. The contrast continues. I really like the organ before 4 1/2 minutes.

"Sorcery" is my second favourite track after the first song. This is an impressive instrumental where each member gets a chance to be in the spotlight. Outstanding tune ! "Filled Up" opens strongly as horns and a good rhythm section dominate. It sounds like harpsichord 1 1/2 minutes in and later. Vocals 2 minutes in. The tempo picks up after 3 1/2 minutes. Nice bass. Themes are repeated. "Kid's Haunting" is uptempo with strummed guitar and prominant bass. It changes after a minute as sax and drums take the lead. Vocals 2 minutes in. The guitar lights it up after 3 1/2 minutes. Great bass here too. Organ 5 1/2 minutes in. The tempo picks up again with vocals and bass leading the way.

Being a big fan of both KRAAN and EMBRYO I certainly fell for the sounds of MISSING LINK. A solid 4 stars.