Rita Jean Bodine - S/T (1974 20th Century this Philips)

I got thrilled with her unique voice on her second album "Sitting On Top Of My World" some years ago. Then I was hoping i would find this her debut album here in Finland some day and today is the day. I believe it was for both coincidence and necessity. Love to listen her and the tight band.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yC_3BcfJVEc

Jim Keltner, David Kemper, Ed Greene - Drums
Rita Jean Bodine - Piano, Vocals, Percussion
David Hungate - Bass
Dean Parks - Guitars, Bass, Drums, Horns, Background Vocals
Dan Ferguson, Larry Carlton, Jay Graydon - Guitars
Michael Omartian, Ron Fransen - Piano, ARP, Clavinet, Organ, Harpsichord
David Paich - Horns, Keyboards
George Bohanon, Chuck Findley, Paul Hubinon, Lew McCreary, Steve Leeds, Mark Hofstein, Tom Scott - Horns
Carol Carmichael - Percussion, Steel Drums, Background Vocals, Producer
Howard Steele - Percussion, Steel Drums
Kim Carnes, Maxine Willard, Julia Tillman, Vangie Carmichael - Background Vocals

George Duke - Save The Country (1971 Liberty Pacific Jazz Series)

Frank Zappa's influence really is present on this album and that is one big reason why i enjoy listening it. The other reason is the ease and fluency in the band's playing. Duke himself says this is not one of his finer moments of recording but it serves a place in his musical development.

Don't believe him.. This a great album. There is more spontaneous and authentic depth in their playing than one (and he himself) can maybe think. Lightness and easiness is not always a synonym to "not very high-class". I really enjoy this music on this album.

Georg Duke: The LP was recorded, I believe, during the Spring of 1970 while I was touring with Frank Zappa. His influence is certainly felt in this album. 

Rod St.James - Has Anybody Seen The Superstar (1972 Paula Records)

An enjoyable album! When listening this first time i got same kind surprised feeling like i had in 2009 when i after picking Rodriguez's Coming From Reality at a flea listened it first time.

Poe / Playboys Of Edinburgh (1971 Uni)

I already knew this album existing but first time i stumbled upon a copy of it at a record shop here in Finland. I did not hesitate a moment to pick it up. It is one of my best american band/album finds for a long time.

Höyry-Kone - Huono Parturi

Finally this masterpiece of Finnish barber-prog has returned and first time on vinyl.

Beau - Creation (1971 Dandelion re Sommo21)

Very nice a bit more personal English folk. If i did not know, i would say this is American west coast music or at least from somewhere around there. And finally Silence Returns... you know what mean if you listen this. Great album.

Soft Machine - S/T (1968 Probe re Sundazed)

Very good Canterbury Scene band indeed. This their first album is strongly influenced by Frank Zappa.

Charlie - Lines (1978 Janus)

Found this for me unknown band today at a flea. Among hundreds of cheap pop albums with a sexy girl cover this caught my attention over all the others. There sure were no shortage of naked legs in the bins, so was it the still life on the picture that impressed me or the girls facial expression saying: hey guys this time i'm the boss and have managed to book you some gigs, So beat it!

When back home i was a bit excited. I cleaned the album and put it on the plate. I was right! This is much above average power pop with quality sound, a bit Steely Dan hints and 4-6 minutes long slightly jazzy (funky) tracks and so on. More to come later.

Meanwhile i recommend you to those six reviews on RYM.

Still Life - S/T (1970 re Akarma)

Still Life is one of those organ driven prog bands one would think should to be more respected among the more well known albums of the prog genre. After all the main track "People in Black" is the One on the album, an excellent prog piece. Maybe the the rest of the stuff is not good enough to lift this to the first caste, but good enough for me to return to this again and again.

Help - Second Coming (1971 Decca re 2013 Soundvision)

Picked this at a record fair last weekend. Wanted to try it because i happen to own an original copy of their first album Help. Helps second coming sounds even better than their first. It sounds timeless forward going tight hard rock with some psych-maybe elements. Very nice guitar work and tight bass work. The organ sounds a bit like Blue Cheers on some their album. Amazingly modern sounding, unaffected real stuff even if not so far from being prog! I like.

Room - Pre-Flight (1970 Deram re Akarma)

They did it much better than Ikaros or Leonardos volunteer cliff jumpers. Much better. This Room is filled by interesting progressive rock with jazz and blues elements and some brass. Enjoyable! I'm obviously wrong and stupid, but i can't help me getting some same kind of feelings when listening Julian's Treatments Time before This. Or maybe it is just the female vocals on both those albums that remind a bit of each other.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_aviation