Roger Chapman Best

After Family concluded their second stateside tour in mid-1971 they were to again face personnel changes as John Weider (bass) was replaced by John Wetton (bass/guitar/vocals) just in time to chip in for Fearless, their sixth long-player in four years. Listeners who had enjoyed their most recent platters might have been a bit nonplussed when confronted with this disc, as the combo's direction was notably altered. Wetton brought along his trademark propulsive performance style, which is immediately evident on the heavy midtempo opener, "Between Blue and Me." Charlie Whitney (guitar/mandolin/percussion) presents some expressive strings weaving through Wetton's full bottom-end bombs. The decidedly English "Sat'd'y Barfly" recalls the inebriated vibe of lighter-weight numbers à la the Faces, and the Ladbroke Horns do little to help as a prominent tuba rhythmically poots along…

After Family concluded their second stateside tour in mid-1971 they were to again face personnel changes as John Weider (bass) was replaced by John Wetton (bass/guitar/vocals) just in time to chip in for Fearless, their sixth long-player in four years…

The recording process for Frankie Miller’s sixth solo album “Falling In Love”, which was re-titled “A Perfect Fit” for its American release, was a far lower key affair than some of his previous ones…

British progressive rock band Jody Grind issued two obscure albums combining hard rock, jazz, blues, and classical influences with lineups emphasizing Hammond organ, guitar, and drums. Prone to long instrumental riffing and rather ponderous, stern original material, they were similar to other very early organ-oriented U.K. progressive rock acts. But they did not possess the originality, or songwriting or vocal talent, to match well-known exponents of the style such as the various groups in which organists Keith Emerson, Vincent Crane, and Brian Auger played…

Essential: a masterpiece of rock music
ACQUA FRAGILE were basically known as proteges of PFM. PFM produced both their albums, and (on this album only), they recorded for Numero Uno, same label PFM recorded for..

Led by gale-force vocalist Roger Chapman and virtuoso guitarist John "Charlie" Whitney, Family were a British rock group who attracted a large cult following in the U.K. (and a miniscule one in the U.S.) for their passionate but wildly eclectic sound; from song to song and album to album, Family could veer from arty progressive experiments to thoughtful folk-rock to blues-influenced grooves to meat-and-potatoes hard rock, all of it performed with sincerity, fire, and a subtle yet genuine sense of humor. Featuring 30 songs that span the group's 1968-1973 recording lifespan, History: The Best of Family collects the highlights from the band's seven albums, and serves as a fine introduction to their music for beginners and a concise celebration for longtime fans.

Premiata Forneria Marconi - Chocolate Kings
EAC+LOG+CUE | FLAC (tracks): 260 MB | Partial Artwork | 5% Recovery Info
Label/Cat#: Victor # VICP-64241 | Country/Year: Japan 2008, 1976
Genre: Rock | Style: Progressive Rock, RPI

"This album marked a continued maturing of both PFM's style and their presence in the Anglophone market. It benefits from Premoli's high-speed Hammond organ and synth runs on such all-out prog assaults as the conclusion of "From Under," as well as Mussida's gentle acoustic guitar lines on slower numbers like "Harlequin." The weak point, as in some of PFM's other productions, is in the vocals. Bernado Lanzetti's voice is overwhelmed by the sheer force of the band; indeed, it could be removed to leave behind perfectly acceptable instrumentals…" ~AMG