MAXIMUM DARKNESS

Wales's finest are here! Man did a couple of live albums in the early 70s (the other is not listed on this site for some reason), and since they were best appreciated, apparently, as a live act, this album really does them justice. It serves as an excellent introduction to what Man were all about. They did extended versions of their studio stuff and managed to make them interesting. The band's enthusiasticaly shrill vocals are always fun, and the sound is excellent. They were joined by Quicksilver guitarist John Cippollina on this one, and there is certainly a West Coast psychedelia feel to these long jams. The reason it works is the guitar players, while not virtuosic, have enough interesting ideas to keep you grooving. This is definitely an album fans of long solos will enjoy! Frankly, I don't think you can have enough live versions of "Bananas".