Here's a selection of reviews from the original press

Apostolic Intervention

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN ME? : One of the first Steve Marriott-Plonk Lane compositions and production arising from their deal with Immediate.This is a big, deep, very Small Faces-like number and sound, but it's a little aggressive and imposing for the current pop market. As ever with Faces records you feel there are great bits and then again, it could all have been so much better.

The Aquarian Age

10,000 Words In A Cardboard Box : Very offbeat and ambitious performance, earning a Record of the Week tag, and with great sounds of a wide variety. Must listen carefully, folks, but it's worth the effort.

The Bee Gees

New York Mining Disaster 1941 : The Aussie Bee Gees group are now in Britain - and very talented they are too. A story in song ballad thats folksy in some respects, and a bit like the Beatles in other ways. Fascinating harmonies, underlined by cello, and a lyric that keeps you glued to the speaker. I found it wholly gripping - congrats to the boys.

Horizontal (album) : The writing capabilities of the Gibbs are quite remarkable. Here are twelve tracks penned by the brothers and melodically they are way above most of the oppostion. Some of their songs reach greatness in the pop idiom. The album exudes a mood of gentle sad sombreness induced in some part by the thoughtful and tasteful accompaniments directed by Bill Shepard. Among the best tracks are 'World', 'With The Sun In My Eyes', 'Massachusetts', 'Harry Braff' and 'Horizontal'.

Horizontal (album) : A song writing tour-de-force by the Gibb brothers. They wrote them all, and most are first class, including the title track, Massachusetts, Harry Braff and World.

Blossom Toes

Look At Me I'm You / What On Earth / Mrs. Murphys Budgerigar : A value for money single! The first side runs over 4 minutes, and the 2 titles on the flip total nearly 5 and a half minutes. Difficult to desribe the disc in a few lines, because there are so many different styles, influences, and ideas incorporated into 3 tracks. Yo've heard the Teenage Opera? Well, this is a sort of Teenage Compendium of Modern Beat Group Sounds! I found the disc thoroughly intriguing from the word "go". Blossom Toes is a group laden with talent, which is exploited to the full advantage. Give it a try, and I think you'll agree that there's more substance and original musical conception in this single than in many an album, definately worth while.

I'll Be Your Baby Tonight : Basic interest in this disc lies on the fact that it's a Bob Dylan composition. And to their credit, Blossom Toes do it full justice. Doesn't have the same immediate impact as "Mighty Quinn" because it's not such a forceful number. It's in the country blues idiom, with an easy going jog beat - and a flowing backing of acoustic guitars, harmonica, and piano.

David Bowie

Laughing Gnome : A novelty number chock full of appeal! This boy sounds remarkably like Tony Newley, and he wrote this song himself. An amusing lyric, with David Bowie interchanging lines with a chipmunk like creature.

Alan Bown

Story Book : Sounds like they've got diarrhoea. Sounds like the sort of music they play for heart operations on the television. Pink Floyd, is it? Don't like it very much. Probably one of those records that grows on you. Got some good things in it. I would be stupid to pretend that I understood it though. One of these records that is a bit vague but could be meaningful. It's a bit pointless really. But who said that pop music had to have a point, except to dance to. Definitely a hit.

Peter Cook and Dudley Moore

Bedazzled : The title song from Pete and Dud's new film, but scarcely a showcase for the duo. It's a sparkling toe tapper, with a bustling orchestration and the vocal handled by a girl group.

The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown

The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown (album) : Exciting music with Arthur working up the atmosphere. Strong organ backing.

The Creation

How Does It Feel To Feel : Slog, bash, thump, bump and crump. Creation batter along with a dirty sound that will want a touch of your creativity. While somewhat lacking in melodic content, I feel the sensual rhythms and pagan chanting combined with some robust guitar work adequately compensate for any aesthetic deficiencies, and will appeal to those of us inclined to tap our feet and jerk our elbows while seated, and cavort freely while in an upright position. Capital.

Life Is Just Beginning : Another one of those discs with strong classical overtones. It opens like a Haydn string quartet, then suddenly breaks into a thumping mid tempo beat opus.

Crocheted Doughnut Ring

Two Little Ladies : You could expect almost anything from a group with a name like this. What you get is a delightful story-in-song, set to a jazz-tango beat, with a few psychedelic effects thrown in.

Maxines Parlour : These boys generate a fascinating sound, strongly steeped in classical influences - with flutes, piano prelude and fugal harmonies. Interesting lyric, too. All things considered, an intriguing disc. Well worth hearing.

Dantalian's Chariot

Madman Running Through The Fields : Great. Very good. There's 23 shillings worth there! A very personal record for Zoot Money, I think. It's the best record of the bunch this week. I hope it's a commercial success for him. There's nothing like having a principle - and then the whole thing happening for you. He's been sweating for a long time with this big clown image. But he's said more here than than on all the other's put together. I see they've written it themselves - which seems to be the trend. I strongly advise everybody to buy this one!

Madman Running Through The Fields : This group cloaks, to some extent, the old Zoot Money Big Roll Band - they've already got a following and this new style sound could click the first time out. Strong guitar, and a bit of messiness in other places, but it builds well and with ingenuity. Original to say the least. Flip side: More relaxed and sort of beautiful.

Doughnut Ring

Dance Around Julie : A happy dance disc with a hand-clapping beat - plus a sing-along la-la phase at the end of every line of the lyrics! Also features some attractive group harmonies and a solid backing.

Eire Apparent

Follow Me : Hard hitting groupy music from a top Irish group who made an impact on the recent Move-Hendrix tour. Piano rumbling under the stomping guitar, and the vocalist's Four Tops inspired shouting make a healthy noise, without being wildly distinctive.

Elmer Gantry's Velvet Opera

Elmer Gantry's Velvet Opera (album) : A London group's first album revealing their musical ability, instrumentally and vocally, and their sense of humour. Surprisingly varied and entertaining.

Family

Scene Through The Eye Of A Lens : This is weird enough to make it. Strange eastern sounds, a mid-record change of mood, a lead singer with the confidential style of Steve Marriott and a good bit of record engineering make this an impressive first single. I like it anyway.

Fire

Father's Name Was Dad : A rumbling, twangy backing, crashing cymbals emphasizing the thundering gallop beat, and a lead singer who sounds like the Troggs Reg Presley. The lyric's novel, but otherwise it has nothing special to offer.

Grapefruit

Dear Delilah : Grapefruit look good, sound good, and by golly they are good! But can it be your simple reviewer has been influenced by one of those advance build-ups that occasionally stir the scene? We've seen pictures of them, and there was the star-packed reception for them last week attended by your actual Beatles. "Haven't you heard Grapefruit yet?" is the shocked cry that greets me at every turn. Better stick to the facts. A gentle song, somewhat Bee-Geeian in concept, clever production involving strings, organ and the Small Faces wind-tunnel (y'know, that funny wow-wow noise) and excellent vocalising. Yes, despite the resistance building up inside due to excessive ear-bashing, I agree Grapefruit are good and deserve a hit.

Yes : To be honest I never really understood why 'Dear Delilah' was a hit. But that's in the past, and certainly on the strength of the fans they picked up during that record and considering this is far more commercial. 'Yes' should take them straight into the charts without a worry. In a funny way this reminded me of The Beatles and The Crystals - work that one out. A very, very solid record. I'm not sure if this wasn't the Grapefruit whether I'd give it a big review - on second thoughts, when that piano comes rolling in - yes, I would have done anyway.

The Gun

Race With The Devil : A frenzied beat that'll leave you limp, strident fuzz guitar shrieking brass in the background and a berserk uninbited vocal complete with a demoniacal laughter. This one's a real sizzler!

The Herd

I Can Fly : Not surprisingly there is a Dave Dee feel to the number, and Steve Rowland's production leaves me cold as usual-which is a shame because this type of harmonious, atmospheric number-which relies mainly on effect-needs clever production. Without wishing to be a downer we can only say-if you're going to freak, please do it properly. Believe it or not, there is good and bad 'psychedelic' music.

Honeybus

I Can't Let Maggie Go : Very pleasant melody line. Bound to get somewhere. Very nice arrangement. It titilates the musical fancy. They've got a nice sound. It's got a bit of folk influence.

I Can't Let Maggie Go : Having heard the Honeybus on Top Gear several times, I have considerable respect for this talented group. And I like this new record, showcasing the boy's ear-catching harmonic blend. Attractive lyric, encased in a simple yet spellbinding scoring. The rhythm simply can't be ignored - and yet it's not overwhelming.

Human Instinct

A Day In My Mind's Mind : A scintillating disc with a storming beat and reverberating twangs, plus embellishments from harp and flute. Delicious harmonies from the Human Instinct. The lyric is not so nearly complex or abstract as the title suggests. It's a happy sounding record, brilliantly produced by Mike Hurst.

Jason Crest

Turquoise Tandem Cycle : Not a new artist, but a new group. And Jason Crest make quite an impact with their debut disc. It's a slowish number with classical undertones, and the lyric is enigmatic and thought provoking.

John's Children

Come And Play With Me In The Garden / Sara Crazy Child : Drummy precussive opening, then group vocal for the flower-power group who are getting enough publicity to make it quite big this time. Chorus is catchy and the directness of the arrangements is effective. Odd little falsetto touches. What you'd call a "full" sound. FLIP : A Marc Bolan song original, but just a shade monotonous.

Go-Go Girl / Jagged Time Lapse : If you can resist the compulsion to dance to this you must be a Radio 3 listener! It's a sizzling hunk of r-and-b, blended with psychedelic effects and oscillations, and strings - surprising, but effective - in the background. Ideal for discotheques, but the welter of big-name releases coming out simultaneously may prevent it from making the chart. FLIP : You'd expect something way-out from this title - and you'd get it. Not so much from the treatment, as from the lyric, which is very surrealistic. Unusual!

Jethro Tull

Sunshine Day : Jethro was originally the man who invented the seed drill. This Mr Tull, misnamed on the label as Jethro Toe, as going down a storm with his group in London clubs with an unusual sound and approach. While not a hit, this West Coast flavoured tune will break the recording ice.

Kaleidoscope

Flight From Ashiya : A big find for Fontana are Kaleidoscope, a new pink Freudian group from London. Their first single Flight From Ashiya is pretty damned supernatural baby, and I love it. In fact I played it three thousand times on the trot as I mastered transcendental medication with the rats in the attic. You can practically smell the Ally Pally incense on this freeky, compelling record, with its pounding belly-rumble bass line, beautiful shimmering, attacking guitar work, and apostolic harmonies to blow all minds. Definately for tomorrow! Kaleidoscope write their own material and if it's all half as groovy, as this, we're in line for some wonderous works.

A Dream For Julie : They produced an interesting album recently and have been heavily involved in MM mailbag correspondence on the subject of JRR Tolkien. One thing is clear, there is no Hobbit influence here. A simple, readily communicative beat, West Coast sounding guitar and bass and good London vocals. I won't insult them by calling them psychedelic, but they seem to be an experimental group left over from that curious phase in pop history, with something new and fresh to offer.

Tangerine Dream (album) : This is it! Kaleidoscope have presented us with a masterpiece for their first LP. Their fantastic single Flight From Ashiya didn't make it, but Tangerine Dream will set that to rights-quality like this just can't go unnoticed. Every track would make a better single than ninety per cent of the top thirty. The words that come come to mind are all played out-words like creative, fabulous (in the true sense), dream-weaving, moving, poetry. The group have made their own completely original scene, with the name Kaleidoscope providing the key to it all. The sounds on this record are shifting colours for a moment into a beautiful stained glass pattern, then shifting again into a fresh and still more beautiful pattern. All wonderous stuff-and certainly not too far out for mere mortals. It is important music-as singer Peter Daltrey says on the lovely sleeve notes, the collective subject of their songs is simple-the life and people. What more could anybody want?

Kate

Strange Girl : Kate isn't a group, it's five blokes, or as the old croakers would say: "Yer can't tell 'em apart these days".
Yus, wot I sez is they should all have done a dose in the army. I had a dose in the army and it infected me with a spirit of conformity and a degree of witlessness that made me the dullard I am today.
Chris Gilby, the lead guitarist, chose Kate when he saw Taming of the Shrew with Liz Taylor as Katrina.
During rehearsals at an empty movie studio in Twickenham actor David Hemmings was filming "A Long Day's Dying" and he used to join them on drums. The group haven't made any appearances yet, but claim influences by blues, folk, jazz and rock music. They ceratinly obtain an interesting sound, that would convince the casual listener that they were an American group on the Electric Flag level.
Unusual chord sequences, haunting blues guitar, simple vocals make the most original release of the week.
Full line-up of the group is Hraitch Garabaldianne (lead vocals), Chris Gilby (lead guitar), Robert Gold (organ), Alfred Turnstall (bass guitar) and Barrie Edwards (drums).
Keep an eye on Kate, it's a bitch of a group!

Kippington Lodge

Shy Boy / Lady On A Bicyle : EMI has high hopes of this new group, and with some justification. Relating a charming story-in-song, about the slow and embarrassed getting together of a boy and girl, it's very true to life - and will have a self-indentification to many youngsters. Set to a easy-paced Good-Time rhythm, and pleasantly sung. Produced and arranged by the "Teenage Opera" man, Mark Wirtz. Could happen! FLIP : Another good story line in this lyric. The verses are soloed, with falsetto harmonies in the chorus. The rhythm is a sort of beat-waltz. Fun!

Tell Me A Story : One of the most enterprising of today's batch of up-and-coming groups, Kippington Lode infuse bags of life and guts into this beaty item. The boys blend well vocally, and on this disc, they make with a solid infectious beat. I like the rich organ sound, too. Despite the la-la chorus, which encourages the listener to join in, I'm not convinced that the material is quite strong enough for the Chart. But it's a nice clean sound from a group with a lot of potential.

The Koobas

First Cut Is The Deepest : I have always had faith in the Koobas making big. This, of course, has already carved a way into the charts, via P.P. Arnold, but it suits the lads well, with a strong atmosphere, tough lead voice, powered guitar - and a sturdy sort of tempo that got me going. Very well performed.

The Koobas (album) : The Koobas, on the singles scene, have been desperately near to making major break-throughs in the charts, but though it never quite worked, they're still a major force....especially on the continent. Their music is often nostalgic - in fact, they are one of the Liverpool Cavern groups still surviving healthily. Between them, they wrote all but one of these tracks - the odd one out is "A Little Piece Of My Heart". "Constantly Changing" is particularly good for it's musicianship and "Barricades" is very nearly as exciting, with a variety of moods expressed, and then there is "Circus", which is my own particular favourite. Good stuff, no kidding.

Billy J Kramer

Town of Tuxley Toymaker : Billy's voice doesn't come over completely, but the number has a lot of appeal and certainly might hit with its cute fantasy line, and child-like philosophy. Not bad.

Kytes

Running In The Water : Backward running tapes give the rhythm section an interesting sound, but isn't that gimmick getting a little overdone? There's a nice swelling organ sound, a lot funkier than Barnaby Rudge's organ, which you remember we left being gawped at by beer-swilling Londoners. I'm just playing for time, folks. This isn't very hit-prone I'm afraid.

Denny Laine

Say You Don't Mind : Denny has a very distinctive, expressive sound and it's a pleasant, lilting record, nicely produced by Denny Cordell. Not an instantly commercial song but the blue, mournful feel incorporates enough charm to make its way into the 30.

Lemon Tree

It's So Nice To Come Home : Produced by Andy Fairweather-Low, it's a jaunty rollicking number with a semi-martial beat - and a very catchy tune. Good robust fun - an enthusiast treatment of above average material.

Leviathan

Remember The Times : Once known as the Span, this revamped group presents us with two singles as examples of their work. This is most readily commercial of four sides. Although I committed myself to dismissing it as a total flop on my TV Spectacular due for screening in Oct on BBC2 ("Bring that screening date nearer!" yells Wendy Potts), after several plays, I now realise the error of my ways and suggest it could well lurch chart high.

Magicians

Painting On Wood : A strange disc, laden with changing tempos, weird effects, unusual instrumentation and a gripping lyric. But for all that, an extremely compelling routine - once you've heard it several times.

Man

Revelation (album) : An outstanding release is an album by a group simply called Man. It has some fine compostions 'And in the beginning...', 'And Castles Rise In Children's Eyes' and 'The Future Hides Its Face', though the tracks which stands out is 'Erotica' which features a woman reaching a climax! You hardly need a visual image to do that! The cover can easily be spotted - five nude guys in a steam bath. Maybe it won't be long before 16mm movies are provided to go with the records.

Manfred Mann

Up The Junction : The score for the controversial UTJ film was entirely written and performed by Manfred Mann, and this is the title number that runs through the picture. It's a brilliantly descriptive piece, conjuring up mental visions of the sordid, squalid location of the movie. Features some wonderfully sensitive harmonies by the boys, set to a backing of clanking piano, tambourine, twangs, and a solid beat - and at the end, it tapers off into infinity. The melody is simple and quick to register, with the title phrase constantly repeated. I'm told that this isn't intended as a follow up to "Quinn", but with the group's current popularity, it could well catch on.  

Mindbenders

Uncle Joe, The Ice Cream Man : Written by Graham Gouldman, this is a song about suburban life that's bound to have widespread appeal. It's a story-in-song, with a touch of nostalgia in the lyric, almost like an excerpt from the "Teenage Opera" - except that, of course, the backing isn't as massive. Nevertheless, the Mindbenders are augmented by strings in this number, which jogs merrily along with a bouncy beat - and it showcases some very attractive and ear-catching harmonies from the group. It's an undemanding disc, not difficult to digest - and in view of this, a slightly stronger melody would probably have been beneficial. First class performance. Stands an outside chance.

Moody Blues

Voices In The Sun : Sounds like a Chinese Move. Wrong again. Curses. I was cheating by looking at the label, but that never gets me anywhere. It's a nice record. Moodies? I'll have this one at home. But they'll probably need something a bit more dynamic to get across again.

The Move

Fire Brigade : Sound the alarm! The incendiary men of the Move are about to set the chart ablaze with an uncontrollable hit! On all levels, it's an example of how to produce a pop single. Roy Wood's lyrics are cleverly constructed and amusing--about a girl "who can set the place on fire"--while the backing has a great Eddie Cochran-type rock 'n' roll feel. Fire engine sound effects add to the fun. In the past the Move produced bigger and better publicity than hits. Now they are living up to their pop promise.

Nirvana

Pentecost Hotel : I can't make up my mind about this. Strange eastern sounds, a mid-record change of mood, a lead singer with the confidential style of Steve Marriott and a good bit of record engineering make this an impressive first single. I like it anyway.

Orange Bicycle

Lauras Garden : During the rehearsal for this number, everything went wrong for the group - they didn't know they were on Candid Camera at the time! But the finished product is fine - a colourful rhythmic ballad, with ear catching harmonies and fugal influences.

Paper Blitz Tissue

Boy Meets Girl : You may have seen the group perform this Ron Grainer in BBC-1's "Wednesday Play" this week. A biting reverberating sound with vocal on deep echo. A competent beat group disc.

Pink Floyd

Piper At The Gates Of Dawn (album) : Syd Barrett penned all of the songs on this album with little help from the rest of the group. The psychedelic image of the group really comes to life, record wise, on this LP which is a fine showcase for both their talent and the recording technique. Plenty of mind blowing sound, both blatant and subtle here, and the whole thing is extremely well performed.

Pretty Things

Private Sorrow : This is a track from the Pretty Things forthcoming album which traces the life cycle of a man. Written by the group, it has a fascinating lyric - soloed with startling echo chanting. The guitar work behind the vocal is extremely impressive and the nagging in it's continual repetition of the same old riff phase. Gets a bit weird towards the end with the sound of marching feet accompanying the reading of roll of honour - and that's no doubt because it has been taken out of the context of the LP. Interesting and thought-provoking, but maybe a shade too way-out.

The Purple Gang

Granny Takes A Trip : Prohibition-style Chicago raver with this new well-spatted double breasted Birmingham group. It's a very charming little ditty with nice bluesy harmonica, some of the most appealing comb and paper on record, and a good lyric about Granny taking a trip once a year to the movie auditions in Hollywood. But she never makes it. Good record, nicely produced and it swings along in a vaudeville good-time way. Possibly a hit?

Rainbow Ffolly

Drive My Car : An LP track, and a good one - the group clearly has ideas and style. Probably not a chart entry, I'd say, but a compulsive bit of listening.

The Rolling Stones

We Love You / Dandelion : A sinister and dramatic explosion by the mystical circle of the world's pop empire. A meeting of the heads of pop, the Stones and their friends in a heads-back and shouting peal of joy at the freedom of the Stones from their threatened incarceration. At the commencement of the operation that must have blown the recording studio into smoking pieces, comes the sound of a jailer's footsteps, the jingling of keys and the crash of a cell door shutting. The Stones and their highly recognisable friends chant the message while what sounds like a mellotron, piano, drums and cymbals move to a monstrous majestic climax like a Soul Ravel. The second A-side, 'Dandelion', continues with a prettier song, considerably more commercial and once again the Stones benefit from some nice vocal harmonies and Charlie Watts, if that is indeed the gentleman at the drums, batters with compulsive force that will probably make this the more saleable side. Each track ends with a segment of the other side's introduction. Both sides are considerably too much.

Ruperts People

I Can Show You : Man or woman? Got a nice voice, whoever it is. Sounds like it's got more potential than they have been allowed to use. Be nice if they are a new group that the producers would allow to plough their own path. The only groups who are allowed to use their own inspiration are the groups who have made it. It sounds a nice record.

I Can Show You : When Rupert's People first started out, they the poor man's Procol Harum - largely because of the use of the cathedral like organ. On this new one, although the organ provides an effective richness to the backing, the boys break into mid tempo. The soloist handles the vocal with weird wraith like chanting and swirling effects giving the disc a haunting - almost supernatural - quality. Good performance, but needed a stronger tune.  

Small Faces

Ogden's Nut Gone Flake (album) : In case you hadn't noticed, the Small Faces are no longer a teenybopper group relying on the effervescent charm of Steve Marriott to keep the girlish screams at full volume. They have, in fact, developed into one of the most rewarding groups on the British scene, continually trying new things yet retaining contact with the public. Between them, they have also developed into a real force as songwriters. The album got plenty of publicity on the strength of it's novel, round sleeve with it's reproduction of a Victorian tobacco tin. But, for once, the gimmick is justified by the music. The Faces have come up with two suites - one on each side of the album. Each is divided into six tracks which cover a remarkable wide range of sounds and show the group's unusual virsatility - both as performers and writers. There is a constant flow of ideas and some of the lyrics have just the right blend of originality and humour - how about "Life is just a bowl of All Bran"? 'Ogdens', the first suite, includes their successful single 'Lazy Sunday' and another of Steve's cockney bits, 'Rene' all about the daughter of a docker. 'Happiness Stan', the best of the two, ends with a brilliant send-up track, 'Happy Days Toytown'. Each theme on this suite is introduced by Stanley Unwin whose double talk is effective enough first time through, but tends to pall a bit with repeated playing. The whole album is pop of a very high order and the arrangements are first class, full of varied sounds. There is a good use of a string section and some excellent guitar work as well as neat organ on 'Stan'. A thoroughly deserving LP of the month.

Tin Soldier : A complete breakaway from "Itchycoo Park". This reverts to the earthy, raucous sound and energetic beat that have typified most of the Small Faces earlier hits. Don't be misled by the title - it's not a protest song. It refer's to a boy's relationship with a girl, and is an analogy rather like "putty in your hands". Starts slowly, and builds remorselessly to a frenzied climax, with Steve Marriot blues-shouting till you think his lungs will burst. Has a tremendous sense of urgency and excitement.

Smoke

If The Weather's Sunny : Fear and dread seized me on hearing this. Was I in fact playing the B-side by mistake? But lo, there was the familiar A mark that helpful record companies stamp on their products to help reviewers assess their work. Having dug 'My Friend Jack Eats Sugar Lumps' which should have been a giant hit for The Smoke, I am most disappointed with this sort of 'Show Me The Way To Go Home' la la la, doo doo doo song.

The State of Micky and Tommy

With Love From One to Five : Plenty of spirit but rather routine.

Status Quo

Black Veils of Melancholy : It's often said that the 2nd chart entry is much more  important than the first - because, until an artist repeats his initial success, no one can tell whether or not he's just a one hit wonder. So this is the moment of truth for can they repeat their "Matchstick Men" triumph with this new one? Yes, I think they can. Mind you, it's not as good as the last one, and on the debit side are the un-necessarily gloomy title and the difficulty one has in comprehending the lyric. Otherwise, the sound is as tingling and electrifying as their first hit - complete with wowing organ and quivering twangs.

Are You Growing Tired Of My Love : If I had heard this disc without first seeing the label, I would have never suspected it was Status Quo. It's a complete change of style for this group, and is totally removed from the distinctive sound it created in "Matchstick Men" All the same, it's an excellent record - in my opinion, the best that Quo has ever made. Opens quietly, with the air of moodiness heightened by clanking pianos and deep throated cellos. Then it breaks into the melodic chorus - a beautiful melody that's still in my ears. The stringy backing is imaginative, the boys harmonies are colourful, and the beat is solid enough for dancing - particularly when it intensifies in the latter stages. Very good indeed - with, I thought, a hint of the Bee Gees about it.

The Syn

Flowerman : A reminiscent melody but rather well produced - la la lah treatment of the title word

Tales of Justine

Albert : Albert turns out to be a sunflower growing in the lead singers garden! It's a catchy tune, with a cute lyric, and the pipe organ sound on the backing is engaging. I like this one - it's light hearted and unoffensive.

The Tickle

Subway (Smokey Pokey World) : Here's a disc that makes you sit up and take notice. A startling collection of sounds, both instrumental and vocal, plus an intriguing lyric. A progressive and well produced adventure in pop.

Timebox

Beggin' : I tip this one with perhaps an overoptimistic approach, but the boys are so good, and so musicianly, that they deserve a breakthrough. Great lead voice on a slow burning introduction and then it speeds up, with a wealth of ideas instrumentally, and the song, after a couple of plays, sounds very saleable indeed. A good release.

Don't Make Promises : A new group making quite an impact with their interpretation of this interesting medium pacer. Soloed, with an ear catching backing of organ, vibes, guitar and assorted strange noises.

Baked Jam Roll In Your Eye : I am still bewildered as to why "Beggin' " wasn't a hit - and will be forever, I have no doubt. But still the past is gone and here we are in the present, and who am I to ignore a group who have the bravery to call a single "Baked Jam Roll In Your Eye"? A very nasty situation this. One I feel that could have been gleaned from the endless goon show records of hot spaghetti trees and flying pancake machines. This is the first record Timebox have produced themselves and in parts it reminds me of the Bonzos. A sort of mad nursey tale of an invasion from Mars led by one "Galloping Klaus" Ho, ho, a merry wheeze indeed.

Tinkerbells Fairydust

Lazy Day : A relaxed jog trotter with a descriptive lyric. Beautifully harmonised, but it's main appeal lies in the imaginatively scored pseudo-classical backing with fugal undertones.

Tomorrow

Revolution : "Happiness is hard to find, we just want peace to blow our minds", and once again the sky opens and the music pours into the world, heralding today, Tomorrow with a twisting, licking ocean of sounds. Written by lead singer Keith West and guitarist Steve Howe the song planes on several levels incorpating a riddle at the beginning, a building, running fade-out from Steve, a rousing and chirping brass band and a deep urging chorus, with guitar patterns weaving through the calling vocals. Tomorrow have made a complex, driving record full of power and feeling and it should chase Keith's "Opera" success up the chart and out into the sunlight for all to dig.

Traffic

Hole In My Shoe : Stand by for the one of the biggest hits of 1967! Master Stevie Winwood's group have presented us with a sound that can only be described as beautiful. It combines a childlike charm with hypnotic strength that will be held in the arms of the chart for weeks on end. Briefly - there is an elephant-like clodhopping beat while guitarist Dave Mason sings the fairytale lyrics and plucks a gentle sitar. A mellotron happens in the backing with a pretty flute, and then - surprise, a six-year-old girl intones some verse giving a touch od psychedelic Walt Disney. The production - by Jimmy Miller - is a minor epic and deserves mass recognition. 'Smiling Phases' on the B-side is a blues bash by Stevie as an offering to his old fans, it's all too nice.

You Can All Join In : An import which should be released here, because it is immediate hit material and could be Traffic's biggest yet. Astoundingly commercial, this is the Dave Mason song that has been described as a "Berkshire square dance", and there is a definite hoe-down atmosphere present, with plenty of Country & Western guitar, and hooting saxophone from Chris Wood. As a group they have improved vastly. Even in recent weeks and in dull August they bring a spark to the chart scene.

Turquoise

53 Summer Street : Here's a new group generating an ear catching sound, sprinkled with falsettos and carried along by a penetrating organ - flecked backing. Although not strong in melody, the performance is well above average, and the abosorbing story - in - song holds the interest.

Woodstock : I've got a feeling that Turquoise could emerge as one of our top groups, but I've got my doubts as to whether they will do so on the strength of this disc. It's earthy, raw, twangy, insidious - with it's reverberating guitar sound, tambourine and harmonies suggesting the early Stones. Even the lead singer's phrasing is a bit Jagger-ish - though I admit the Stones illusion fades when the other boys join in with harmonic support. Mid-tempo, compelling.

Warm Sounds

Birds and Bees : Produced by Mike Hurst (who is responsible for Cat Stevens discs), this is a brilliantly styled disc, both vocally and arrangement-wise. The boys harmonise superbly, and indulge in a little scat singing. There's a mid-tempo beat, tinged with classical influences - with cellos prominent. Nice song, too - only trouble is, it might be a shade too obscure for the average fan.

The Who

Sell Out : A great new album from the Who, still one of the most important groups on the scene.

World of Oz

King Croesus : Every now and then in popland there is an 'event'. A new group is launched and wise journalists catch fast trains to the Cornish Riviera, book a single room at the Black Pig, take a draught of sleeping potion and turn the light out, until the new group has passed--hitless--overhead. For those unfortunates who remain in the firing line, there is a barrage of sincere telephone messages announcing the greatest group the world has ever known, a plague of photographs and a glut of phoney stories, designed to be sprayed at an unsuspecting public. Here is such a new group. Can this mean the end of the civilised world as we know it? Make records by all means chaps, but for God's sake spare us the promotion campaign. PS. It's a mid-tempo rockaballad--quite nice. Or  as Roger Camp says: "Fits well."

Vamp

Floatin' : Amazing Viv Prince plays drums with the Vamp and is being a good boy these days. At least he was, in the pub the other night. We couldn't even tempt him with an Embassey and a half a draught Double Diamond. More worried about the success of the Vamp he was, and rightly so, because it would be nice to see Viv back on the pop scene proper. His drumming is well to the fore on this middle-paced, harmonica-ridden piece of funky blues 'n' ballad.

Virgin Sleep

Love c/w Halliford House : Dreamy sort of drawled treatment here. Something compelling about it but the actual number is a bit draggy.

Warm Sounds

Nite Is A-Comin' : A fat, beaty sound, shouting vocals prodded along by solid guitar and drums. Not particularly original, but useful for parties, annoying old men with on pub juke boxes, and testing your hi-fi equipment.

Mark Wirtz

(He's Our Dear Old) Weatherman : What is it - the Chipmunks? Very interesting arrangement. A lot of records like this seem as though they coming over the radio from the other side of the world. Any minute you expect the cricket scores. Happy song - stands a chance. A bit of everything in this one.

Yardbirds

Little Games : Gee whiz, what a shattering beat from the Yardbirds! A heavy handed walloping drive all the way - and this, coupled with the raucous twanging and sitar effect, creates a completely insidious and nagging wall of sound. Psychedelic it may well be, but not of a distasteful nature. The lyric is simple, but absorbing and topical, and the melody is little more than a riff phrase repeated over and over.

The Zombies

Odessey & Oracle (album) : It's rather tragic that The Zombies are splitting. But what a momentous last album they are leaving behind-quite the most outstanding record of the month for creativity, originality, sensitivity and sheer dimension. "Rose For Emily", a song that is related by implication to "Eleanor Rigby" or "Lady Jane", and has the same texture, is so tender, so sweet, that it should have been issued as a farewell single. All the songs were written by Rod Argent and Chris White; and they're a long way from "She's Not There", the song that shot The Zombies to the top of the international charts years ago. Their writing is now poetic and observant, sad and wistful. And if you like music with meaningful lyrics, it's joyful. Hear The Zombies-they're so good!

Friends of Mine : This group seldom gets the success it deserves from British fans and in an attempt to remedy that I'm told the boys have taken six months off to re-think their pop approach. Here they make excellent use of their harmony talents on this happy, driving number. Could well be the break they're looking for, hope so.

Time of The Season : The very last single from The Zombies before this talented group disbands. And this disc makes us realise just what we're going to miss, because it's a very good farewell offering. Pity is that the sort of thing one can confidently tip for the charts but the discerning listener will enjoy it immensely.

I'd like to thank Carol-Anne Lennie, Mick Capewell & Greg Weatherby for much help with this page, cheers!