1970

The sole album released by a journeyman blues-rock band from Denmark in 1970, Blues Addicts is one of those records that gets its reputation for being so obscure rather than being a lost classic, frankly speaking. But as with everything, there's always a context for some sort of reissue somewhere, and its revival on the Shadoks label in 2008 reveals it to be enthusiastic and not entirely without interest, but there's not much else to say otherwise. Backing vocalist and guitarist Ivan Horn provides liner note details from an interview in 2002 about the band's history and the circumstances surrounding the recording - it's a brief but enjoyable tale of how a bunch of young enthusiasts took to the then-new sounds of acts like Cream and the Jimi Hendrix Experience with enthusiasm - while the fact that the group concentrated on originals rather than cover versions is definitely to their credit…

The Morgan Studios session team's sophomore album is a classic example of (very) early-'70s British pop, an exquisitely performed, flawlessly arranged collection of lightly rocking originals that are not quite soft enough to be as cloying as similar efforts by contemporaries Harmony Grass and the Brotherhood of Man, but only occasionally memorable enough to actually stick in the mind. The title track, Blue Mink's third U.K. hit, was the original album's main selling point – subsequently, of course, the group's prototype rendition of "Gasoline Alley Bred" attracted the most attention, courtesy of the Hollies' hit version, and it must be said that there is little to choose between either version. Impressive, too, is "You Walked Away," a Madeline Bell showcase that layers her vocals over sultry percussion and percolating guitar, while the closing "Jubilation" is a "Get Back"-style rocker that illustrates just what a powerful bunch of musicians Blue Mink was…

"Jo Sago" was the band's second (and final) album and originally appeared in November 1970 on the now legendary Harvest label. The band began life as a Progressive Folk band comprising of the core members Jeff Daw (Vocals, Guitar, Flute), James Langston (Vocals, Guitar) & Nigel Phillips (Drums, Recorder, Keyboards) and were part of Jim Simpson's Birmingham-based Big Bear Management stable of artists (who also included Bakerloo, Black Sabbath and Locomotive).
By the time of the "Jo Sago" album, Jeff Daw and James Langston were joined by Bob Wilson on Keyboards, Guitar and Bass and had moved further into the area of Progressive Rock. Produced by Tony Cox at Sound Techniques studios, "Jo Sago" was a conceptual work that touched on subjects such as race relations in 1970s Britain and more…

"Jo Sago" was the band's second (and final) album and originally appeared in November 1970 on the now legendary Harvest label. The band began life as a Progressive Folk band comprising of the core members Jeff Daw (Vocals, Guitar, Flute), James Langston (Vocals, Guitar) & Nigel Phillips (Drums, Recorder, Keyboards) and were part of Jim Simpson's Birmingham-based Big Bear Management stable of artists (who also included Bakerloo, Black Sabbath and Locomotive).
By the time of the "Jo Sago" album, Jeff Daw and James Langston were joined by Bob Wilson on Keyboards, Guitar and Bass and had moved further into the area of Progressive Rock. Produced by Tony Cox at Sound Techniques studios, "Jo Sago" was a conceptual work that touched on subjects such as race relations in 1970s Britain and more…

Esoteric Recordings are pleased to announce the release of a Deluxe edition of the self titled album by Quatermass. Originally released in 1970 on the Harvest label, "Quatermass" is one of the most remarkable albums of the era. Featuring Peter Robinson (Keyboards), John Gustafson (Bass, Vocals) and Mick Underwood (Drums, Percussion), Quatermass were one of the most imaginative groups of the Progressive era. Their unique brand of powerful progressive rock encompassed classical music and hard rock, a unique combination that influenced contemporaries such as Deep Purple (indeed Ritchie Blackmore covered "Black Sheep of the Family" on the first Rainbow album). This Esoteric Recordings edition features stunning new mixes by Peter Robinson, along with three bonus tracks, two of which are previously unreleased. The set also features a lavishly illustrated booklet with new essay written by Peter Robinson.

Released in 1970, Just a Little Lovin' was the fourth (and last) studio album Carmen McRae cut for Atlantic Records in the late '60s/early '70s. The albums were for the most part a mix of pop and jazz songs with a decidedly pop angle. Just a Little Lovin' isn't too different, though it leans more toward the soulful end of the street. Producer Arif Mardin put McRae together with the Dixie Flyers studio band, backup singers extraordinaire the Sweet Inspirations, and an all-star horn section led by King Curtis, and then let her loose on the usual Beatles covers (a lifeless "Something," a very relaxed and sensual "Here, There and Everywhere," and a dramatic take on "Carry That Weight") and pop tunes like Jimmy Webb's "Didn't We" and Laura Nyro's "Goodbye Joe"…