Clark Hutchinson Free to Be Stoned. The Complete Decca Recordings Anthology {esoteric Recordings Eclec 22195} 2cd (1969 71)

2010 two CD anthology from underground Rock heroes Clark-Hutchinson. One of the first signings to Decca's underground imprint Nova, the duo of Andy Clark and Mick Hutchinson recorded the album A=MH2 in 1969, soon to become the biggest selling album on NOVA. Championed by John Peel, the duo's first album highlighted the extraordinary talent of guitarist Hutchinson. The 1970 follow up album Retribution saw the band augmented by Del Coverley and included the classic 'Free To Be Stoned' , earning the group numerous live spots alongside cohorts the Edgar Broughton Band and Hawkwind. Gestalt, the band s final album appeared in 1971 on the Deram label. This anthology has been remastered from the original master tapes and comprises all the recordings released by Decca Records between 1969 and 1971. It is an essential part of the story of British underground Rock at the turn of the 1970s.

Of the literally dozens of memorable bands that emerged from the British Beat scene in the early to mid-'60s, the Zombies were one act that stood out: there was a smart, slightly arty aura to their clever and beautifully crafted melodies, superb vocal harmonies, and a distinct instrumental sound, highlighted by Rod Argent's keyboard work, often using electric piano to memorable effect. Even when the Zombies rocked out or sunk into a tough R&B groove, they could convey a keen intelligence along with their energy, and their more introspective moments gave them a sound and feel that was unique…

This set brings together for the first time Britten's complete Decca recordings as pianist and conductor in which he performs music by other composers - an astonishing variety of music that ranges from large-scale choral works by Bach and Purcell to Schumann and Elgar, as well as orchestral works by Mozart, Haydn and Schubert. Solo vocal repertory is generously represented with important works by Schubert and Schumann and early twentieth-century English song. Chamber music features Britten the pianist in partnership with two of Britten's closest collaborators: Mstislav Rostropovich and Sviatoslav Richter.

Esoteric Recordings are pleased to announce a 2CD Anthology by the legendary Progressive Rock group Cressida. One of the finest groups to sign to the legendary Vertigo label in 1969, Cressida’s unique Progressive Rock style earned them a loyal fan base in the early 1970s, with their legend growing over the ensuing decades and their followers growing, with notable aficionados including Mikael Akerfeldt of the band Opeth. The roots of Cressida were sown in March 1968, when guitarist John Heyworth answered an advertisement in Melody Maker, and later travelled to London to join The Dominators. With vocalist Angus Cullen he settled down to some serious writing, eventually welcoming bassist Kevin McCarthy and drummer Iain Clark to the fold and now calling themselves Charge…

Esoteric Recordings are proud to announce the release of a newly re-mastered and expanded edition of the classic 1970 album by The Move, “Shazam”. Of all of the groups to emerge in Britain in the latter half of the 1960s, The Move was arguably one of the finest. A powerful act on stage, the group were blessed with one of the most imaginative songwriters of his generation in Roy Wood. “Shazam” is regarded by many as the finest The Move album, despite being recorded in a time of flux for the band.
In the Spring of 1968 bassist Ace Kefford departed the fold, with Trevor Burton assuming bass guitar duties. The band continued to enjoy success as a singles act, earning a number one hit with ‘Blackberry Way’ in November 1968. In February 1969 Burton also left the band to be replaced by Rick Price…

Esoteric Recordings are pleased to announce the release of a 50th Anniversary Remastered Edition of the debut album by The Moody Blues, "The Magnificent Moodies”.
Now associated as being pioneers of pro-gressive orchestral rock, the Moody Blues had another life between 1964-1966, as one of Britain’s finest Rhythm and Blues influenced acts. With a line-up of Denny Laine (Guitar, Vocals, Harmonica), Ray Thomas (Vocals, Harmonica, Flute), Mike Pinder (Keyboards, Vocals), Clint Warwick (Bass, Vocals) and Graeme Edge (Drums), the band signed to a London based management company who leased recordings to Decca Records. Their second single, a cover version of Bessie Banks’ ‘Go Now!’ was a huge chart success across the world…

Esoteric Recordings is pleased to announce the release of a remastered clamshell boxed set anthology by the legendary musician Snowy White. Lucky Star - Anthology 1983-1994 gathers together all of his solo albums and two albums recorded under the guise of Snowy White's Blues Agency.
After some years working as a much in demand guitarist for artists as diverse as Al Stewart, Pink Floyd and Thin Lizzy, Snowy White branched out as a solo artist with the release of his first solo album White Flames in 1983. The album spawned a major hit single in 'Bird Of Paradise' early the following year and subsequently enjoyed chart success. This was followed in the 1980s by two more fine albums; Snowy White and That Certain Thing. At the end of the decade White formed the band Snowy White's Blues Agency and the group recorded the albums Change My Life and Open For Business in quick succession…

Esoteric Recordings are proud to announce the release of a newly re-mastered and expanded edition of the classic 1969 album A Salty Dog by Procol Harum. Released in June 1969, the record followed on from the huge international success of the band's debut single A Whiter Shade of Pale and the follow up single Homburg and the superb albums Procol Harum and Shine On Brightly. One of the finest releases of the era A Salty Dog saw the exquisite song writing of Gary Brooker and Keith Reid honed to perfection on highlights such as the album's title track, The Devil Came From Kansas, Wreck of the Hesperus, The Milk of Human Kindness and more. Recorded at Abbey Road studios, the album captured the excellence of the musicians in the group, namely Gary Brooker (voice, piano), Robin Trower (lead guitar), David Knights (bass guitar), B.J. Wilson (drums) and Matthew Fisher (Hammond organ)…

Esoteric Recordings are pleased to announce a 2CD Anthology by the classic Scottish Progressive Rock group Beggars Opera. Drawing on material from the band’s first four albums, recorded for the legendary Vertigo label, "Nimbus" features 27 of the band’s best tracks.
Formed in Glasgow in 1969 with a line-up of Rick Gardiner (Guitar, Vocals), Alan Park (Keyboards), Martin Griffiths (Vocals), Marshall Erskine (Bass, Flute) and Raymond Wilson (Drums), the band signed to the newly established progressive arm of Philips Records, Vertigo, in 1970. Their debut album, "Act One" gained some success in Europe with tracks such as ‘Poet and Peasant’ and ‘Passacagalia’…