SEA SHANTIES

Imagine mixng early Sabbath with a less complex version of the Mahavishnu Orchestra and add a strong late sixties psych vibe. Mix it all together and you end up with High Tide, one of the lesser known bands (but highly respected amongst a small group of followers for being ahead of their time) of the late sixties and early seventies UK underground rock scene.

Whilst Sea Shanties is clearly of its time it stands up pretty well, being regarded as a proto- metal album due to Tony Hill's dense and heavy riffing. Whilst it doesn't really sound like the Mahavishnu Orchestra I was reminded of them due to the unusual, for the time at least, inclusion of violin in the line-up played by Simon House, which shares equal footing with Hill's heavy guitar work. Though less complex it's played with similar gusto as Jerry Goodman's playing (Mahavishnu Orchestra) and there are some truly exhilarating moments on display here, notably the long instrumental workout on Death Warmed Up. This is when the band is at their best with the nine minute Missing Out being another highlight.

Though the production is dated due to the strength and originality of much of the material it clears this hurdle easily. There's the occasional lapse into mediocrity such as album closer Nowhere which makes it less than essential. Nevertheless, High Tide deserves credit for an innovative release and should be at least heard by anyone with even the slightest interest in late 60's UK rock music. 3 ½ stars.