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…
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!
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…