CD Details

IGGINBOTTOM'S WRENCH

IGGINBOTTOM
1969 , UK , EAN CODE 5013929726420 - EURO 13.00

Label: ESOTERIC RECORDINGS

ALBUM REVIEW
A rather interesting little gem here, best I could describe it is psychedelic meets jazz or even very early fusion with vocals. This release is most noteworthy because it is the first known recordings of one Allan Holdsworth. While his playing on here is very distinct, it bears little resemblance to what he would be doing a few years later. Allan besides spinning forth some tasty legato phrases on a very clean-toned guitar also does the lions share of the vocals. The vocals are however not really the high point (to my ears they sound rather flat bordering on monotone, plus the lyrics were a lot of rambling hippie-dippie aerie faerie nonsense). However, Allan was in a very interesting exploratory phase here, doing his absolute utmost to avoid blues-rock cliches at all costs, and combining forces with his fellow guitarist Mick Skelly, would produce other-worldly harmonies and snaky solos with an ear towards John Coltrane or Jim Hall more than rock. A very interesting listen if you overlook some of the flaws. (TheOwl - Rate Your Music)