Man With The Transplanted Brain (1972)

Five Man Electrical Band, one of the more creative Canadian groups of the early '70s, edged toward the American "big-time" without ever really receiving its due. Springing from the accomplished harmonies of all five bandmembers and leader Les Emerson's socially-attuned penmanship, the band was equally at home firing off catchy pop hits ("Signs," "Absolutely Right") as it was with more ambitious, roots-rock-grounded album material ("Coming of Age," "Country Girl Suite"). Fifteen-track collection Absolutely Right does justice to both sides, and how these merged to culminate in the environmental polemic sweep of "I'm a Stranger Here" and decidedly odd chart-fodder "Werewolf."

Record collectors into Nordic rock are well aware of this band that recorded one album that is very much sought after, with its highly rated Hammond-driven hard rock rather typical of that era. They do have their own sound but can be compared to a rough Jethro Tull (Aqualung-style) or Atomic Rooster, playing tight music, but also leaving some space for instrumental interplay on some tracks. "1972-75" is a collection of songs that should have been the second album plus a few archive gems. Sadly in 1975 The Old Man & the Sea was dropped by CBS even before releasing anything on that label and it meant the end of the band as they couldn't get another deal.