Who? (1973)

Birmingham, England's Bachdenkel recorded just two albums in their nearly decade-spanning run during the late '60s and most of the '70s, landing on a sound that was complex enough to qualify as prog but still had flashes of melody and powerful hard rock chops. The band were long championed as a lost gem of the psychedelic scene of their time.
The origins of Bachdenkel began in 1967, when guitarist/vocalist/bandleader Colin Swinburne and bassist Peter Kimberley formed the band The U (Don't) No Who (sometimes known as U No Who) with several other musicians. This band eventually morphed into Bachdenkel when drummer Brian Smith came on board and everyone but Kimberley and Swinburne dropped out…

With an exciting stage show and hard driving rock, the extensive use of funky organ, a strong guitar front line and powerhouse drumming, the Santana-influenced Titanic became one of the most popular touring bands of the early 70s with success in Germany, England and France. They also made a strong impression in America. The original lineup was formed by Kenny Aas playing the organ and bass, Janne Loseth in charge of the guitar and vocals, John Lorck as drummer and Kjell Asperud who added percussion and vocals. Their first real hit single, the Santana oriented "Sultana" almost peaked the UK charts reaching a surprising (for a foreign band not coming from USA) fifth position. But their recording career had started a year before with the self titled debut…

Stanley Clarke's debut solo effort was issued when he was already a seasoned jazz veteran, and a member of Chick Corea's Return to Forever, which at the time of this recording also included Joe Farrell on soprano sax and flute, and the Brazilian team of vocalist Flora Purim and drummer/percussionist Airto Moreira. Produced by Corea, who plays Rhodes, clavinet, and acoustic piano on Children of Forever, the band included flutist Art Webb, then-new RtF drummer Lenny White, guitarist Pat Martino, and a vocal pairing in the inimitable Andy Bey and Dee Dee Bridgewater on three of the five cuts – Bey appears on four. Clarke plays both electric and acoustic bass on the set; and while it would be easy to simply look at this recording as an early fusion date, that would be a tragic mistake.

With an exciting stage show and hard driving rock, the extensive use of funky organ, a strong guitar front line and powerhouse drumming, the Santana-influenced Titanic became one of the most popular touring bands of the early 70s with success in Germany, England and France. They also made a strong impression in America. The original lineup was formed by Kenny Aas playing the organ and bass, Janne Loseth in charge of the guitar and vocals, John Lorck as drummer and Kjell Asperud who added percussion and vocals. Their first real hit single, the Santana oriented "Sultana" almost peaked the UK charts reaching a surprising (for a foreign band not coming from USA) fifth position. But their recording career had started a year before with the self titled debut…

Pete Sinfield is best known for his contribution as lyricist for King Crimson and Emerson, Lake & Palmer. His solo album from 1973 was one of the earliest releases on ELP’s Manticore label and features contributions from Greg Lake, Ian Wallace, Mel Collins, John Wetton, Keith Tippett and many more luminaries. This edition adds nine previously unreleased early album mixes and two bonus tracks on an extra CD and has restored the album’s artwork in a deluxe package and is issued on the reactivated Manticore label, under an exclusive license to Cherry Red Records and overseen by the people who brought you Esoteric Recordings and Atomhenge.