Saturday, November 12, 2016

Ben - Ben (1971 uk, excellent prog jazz rock, 2003 issue)



Here are lengthy multi-part suites, excellent musicianship and an overall very appealing early 70's, very jazzy progressive rock sound with lots of flute, sax, keyboards and guitar. But closer inspection of the material on the album reveals that you've been cheated. All of the four tracks are made up of tiresome extended jams and solos that are built around themes and melodies.

‘Ben’ was the band’s only release on the progressive Vertigo ‘spiral’ label in 1971. It is packed with ambitious instrumental arrangements of inspired jazz-rock, performed by a talented five that represented the best of the Canterbury scene, the movement that flourished in the early 1970s. 
Tracks
1.a.The Wooing Of The Child (Keith Jarret)
1.b.The Innocence Of The Child (Peter Davey)
1.c.The Interest Of The Youth (Gerry Reid, Peter Davey)
1.d.The Involvement Of The Man  (Peter Davey)
1.e.The Realization (Alex Macleery)
1.f.The Wooing Of The Man (Keith Jarret)
1.g.The Conclusion (Alex Macleery, David Sheen, Gerry Reid, Len Surtees, Peter Davey) - 10:05
2. Gibbon (Peter Davey) - 9:32
3. Christmas Execution (Peter Davey) - 7:21
4. Gismo (Peter Davey) - 11:50

The Ben
*Alex Macleery - Electric Piano, Harpsichord, Moog Synthesiser
*David Sheen - Brums, Congas, Percussion, Vocals
*Gerry Reid - Electric, Acoustic Guitars
*Len Surtees - Bass
*Peter Davey - Alto, Tenor, Baritone Saxophones, Flute, Clarinet

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