This is the album that never was for the all-star soul and funk ensemble. These 11 tracks, recorded live in the studio in 1974 when they were struggling for a record deal, only emerged many years later. Here, nearly two decades further on, they’re available again, an inspired set taking in Dylan (New Morning), Herbie Hancock (Chameleon), Bill Withers (Friend Of Mine) and more, united by understated guitar (both the Grease Band’s Neil Hubbard and Piblokto’s Jim Mullen), the powerful sax of Mel (King Crimson) Collins and contributions from other luminaries. This 2CD set adds a previously unheard five-track demo session from the same year (not least Robert Johnson’s Sweet Home Chicago) and two demos from a get-together a decade later.
Nick Dalton – Record Collector magazine