14.01.2008.
Affinity - Affinity (1970) (@256)
(Review from progarchives.com, vintageprog.com)
Like many bands riding on the crest of the jazz-rock wave in the early '70s, Affinity released one album and were just getting their footing when they decided to split up, despite the album being well received by the critics. Basically, their music is an eclectic mixture of a blues-rock with jazz, pop and folk influences as well as some rudiments of early '70s psychedelia. Their sound is very brassy and the Hammond organ omnipresent, the overall product sounding very progressive for its day. With the powerful vocals of Linda Hoyle leading the way, it looked as though the band had quite a future ahead of them.
Issued in 1970, their only album shows much variety as well as plenty of soloing. As the excellent sound, musicianship and production will attest, it is a superb achievement for the times. The material on the album is quite strong all the way through. "I Am and So Are You" and "Three Sister" do both use horns to good effect. "Mr. Joy" is a relaxed and excellent jazzy track, while "Night Flight" is a more typical early 70's progressive rock track. There are two excellent cover versions here too. You would may not expect much from a cover of The Everly Brother's "I Wonder If I Care As Much", but its sounds awesome with a incredible symphonic and great arrangement. And their 11-minute version of "All Along the Watchtower" is a irresistible Hammond-orgy you must hear to believe.
Line-up :
- Mo Foster / bass
- Linda Hoyle / vocals
- Mike Jupp / guitars
- Lynton Naiff / piano, harpsichord, vibraphone
- Grant Serpell / percussion, drums
Track List :
01. I am and so are you (3:31)
02. Night flight (7:15)
03. I wonder if I care as much (3:20)
04. Mr. Joy (5:02)
05. Three sisters (4:57)
06. Cocoanut grove (2:35)
07. All along the watchtower (11:36)
08. Eli's coming (Bonus) (3:32)
09. United states of mind (Bonus) (2:49)
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Original Post Date : 29 Sep 2007 | 4:25 PM
