Formater Fat

Expanded release for the debut album by Noel Redding's band with eight bonus tracks. Recorded in 1969, Fat Mattress was the eponymous debut album by the band formed by Jimi Hendrix Experience bass guitarist Noel Redding. The album evoked the influences of the time, touching upon styles pioneered by groups such as Traffic (whose member Chris Wood guested on the record). A superb piece of psychedelic rock in it's own right, Fat Mattress failed to get the attention it deserved at the time of release (despite a tour as support act to the Hendrix Experience) but has subsequently been hailed as a classic of the era. This Esoteric reissue has eight bonus tracks comprising non-album singles, mono mixes, studio out-takes and an unreleased solo single by Fat Mattress’ Jim Leverton.

Although it's only his debut record, American Music reveals Danny Gatton to already be an innovative and supremely gifted guitarist; here he tackles a sprawling range of music, moving easily from rockabilly to jazz to blues.

At the end of 1969, Cliff Bennett had seemingly run out his string as a British Invasion-era star. Seeking a new sound and image, he hooked up with keyboard player/singer Ken Hensley, bassist John Glascock, and drummer Lee Kerslake, all of whom had previously played with a group called the Gods (who later became known for having Greg Lake, in his pre-King Crimson days, as a member). For unknown reasons, they christened themselves Toe Fat and managed to get signed to Parlophone and then to Regal Zonophone in England, with their albums appearing in America on the Rare Earth label. Their mix of blues and progressive rock wasn't the most commercial of sounds in any case, and the grotesque cover art on the group's two LPs seemed to repel potential purchasers…

At the end of 1969, Cliff Bennett had seemingly run out his string as a British Invasion-era star. Seeking a new sound and image, he hooked up with keyboard player/singer Ken Hensley, bassist John Glascock, and drummer Lee Kerslake, all of whom had previously played with a group called the Gods (who later became known for having Greg Lake, in his pre-King Crimson days, as a member). For unknown reasons, they christened themselves Toe Fat and managed to get signed to Parlophone and then to Regal Zonophone in England, with their albums appearing in America on the Rare Earth label. Their mix of blues and progressive rock wasn't the most commercial of sounds in any case, and the grotesque cover art on the group's two LPs seemed to repel potential purchasers…