Unit 4+2 was a one-hit wonder that probably deserved better. As one of the better acoustic-electric bands of the mid-'60s, the group stormed the charts with one memorable hit, "Concrete and Clay," scoring on both sides of the Atlantic, but they were never able to come up with a follow-up that was as catchy. The group originated with guitarist Brian Parker and an instrumental band from Hertfordshire called the Hunters, who recorded for the Fontana label in 1961. Parker left the Hunters in early 1962 and joined Adam Faith's backing band the Roulettes. He didn't stay long with the latter band, preferring to put together a group of his own with the emphasis on vocals. Parker recruited guitarists Tommy Moeller (with whom he began writing songs) and David Meikle, and singer Brian Moules, and the quartet played gigs at youth clubs and other local venues, and turned professional soon after.
Best known for their huge international hit single from 1965, ‘Concrete And Clay’, Unit 4 + 2 were a part of the British Beat explosion, with a strong emphasis on vocal harmony. Their guitarist was Russ Ballard, who later enjoyed further fame with Argent and as a solo artist.
The band four hits in total, the others being their debut 45 ‘Green Fields’ (No. 48, 1964), ‘(You’ve) Never Been in Love Like This Before’ (No. 14, 1965) and ‘Baby Never Say Goodbye’ (No. 49, 1966).
Unit 4 + 2 signed to Decca in 1964, enjoying notable success and recording a string of singles, an EP and an album for the label before over a three-year period…
Another band that has benefitted big time from joining the PPR label, a band we at Caerllysi Music have championed from it's birth with One in Every Crowd some 15 years ago, album number 5 has all the bombastic trademarks we have come to treasure and they are destined to elevate themselves to a higher plain with this very strong concept offering which will touch a few nerves with most of us. Cracking Stuff!
Chaz Bundick Meets the Mattson 2 is the collab project between Toro Y Moi and Mattson 2. This album follows Toro Y Mois live album "Live from Trona" which came out earlier this year. The project announced the album along with the title track as a single. The album will be out March 31st 2017 via Chaz's label Company Records.
Founded in 2003 on the ashes of ADN by Philippe Benabes and Didier Pegues, Eye 2 Eye finally released their third album on the Musea label. "The Wish" marks a watershed for the group that sign here its first concept-album, inspired by Oscar Wilde's "Picture Of Dorian Gray". Neo Progressive and floydian influences from the early days, make way for a more personal identity, helped by the voice of Djam Zaidi (Transperception), the flamboyant guitars of Amirouche Ali Benali, the swirling keyboards of Philippe Benabes and Elise Bruckert's magical violin, backed by the solid rhythm of Aymeric Delteil (bass) and Didier Pegues (drums & keyboards)…
Showmen were a Naples band important in RPI history as well as rock and roll. The first incarnation dates to 1966 and included in its line-up Elio d'Anna, who would go on to form the RPI powerhouse Osanna. The first line-up blended Italian pop with soul/R and B and had several successful singles before breaking up around 1970. Shortly after this, several members joined some new musicians to form Showmen 2 which would attempt to blend some of the original Showmen sound with the exciting new rock sounds that were beginning to permeate Italy. This line-up is the one of interest to RPI fans as it produced the fine 1972 album Showmen 2.
The album is housed in a stunning heavy gatefold cover and contains a peculiar mix of rock, rhythm & blues, prog, not far from the sound of Chicago or the English band If…
Eye 2 Eye has been founded in the 2003 on the ashes of ADN by Philippe Benabes and Didier Pegues.
With "The Light Bearer" (Musea, 2017), Eye 2 Eye finally comes out of a silence that lasted five years. However, this wait will not have been in vain, since after a few personnel changes, Eye 2 Eye proves to us that it has lost nothing of its verve. The neo Progressive influences of the past are less evident, to leave room for others, more symphonic. The vocals, now held by Michel Cerroni, are deep and lyrical, while the arrangements are even further polished. A string quartet brings a bit of novelty as well. "The Light Bearer" is a very nice surprise!
Robert Berry will return with a second 3.2 album, "Third Impression" on February 12, 2021. The band/project is a continuation of the band 3, which a band Berry was in with Carl Palmer and the late great Keith Emerson.
In October 2015, conversations about a new "3" album started between Robert Berry and Frontiers President, Serafino Perugino as Robert had been speaking to Keith Emerson about releasing the long delayed "3" follow up album. Along with renewed fan interest in the band and those conversations, Berry had sparked revived enthusiasm from Keith Emerson for pursuing the project. The exchange of musical ideas and song collaborations ultimately paved the groundwork for 3.2’s first album, "The Rules Have Changed"…