MADE IN ENGLAND

Nice to see this album is still being listened to and appreciated by some folks. 'Made In England' offers a fusion of blues based funky white-soul progressive hard-rock with symphonic touches - such against-the-grain stylings have surprisingly gelled perfectly to form a very cohesive run of songs. I've never been a big fan of vocalist Chris Farlowe's bellowing blues, but it just seems to fit amazingly well in these compositons - even his falsetto singing doesn't annoy me. Call it an acquired taste, but what maestro Vincent Crane has concocted here is pretty entertaining. For keyboard boffins, Crane mainly associates himself with some fine Piano and E-Piano, but does insert some killer Hammond solos on certain tracks (Time Take My Life, Breathless, All In Satan's Name) and even the odd Synth experiment can be heard (Space Cowboy). In fact, Drummer Ric Parnell sets up some stately grooves and Guitarist Steve Bolton performs suitably searing licks. Even the brass and orchestral arrangements add a special dimension to most songs here. Granted, it's quite a different approach than they took on the previous 3 superb albums, but a welcome and fresh change for many. Embrace it, accept it and most of all, ENJOY it !! 4 fine stars for this interesting record.