Without doubt there is a lot of energy and passion on display here. Certainly from a lyrical point of view you definitely get your money’s worth. Originating from the Portsmouth area, hardly renowned as a hot bed of new music, I suspect the band were among a number of hopeful units from across the country hoping to emulate the success of the Beatles, Stones, Small Faces and many other mid-sixties band whose music is all sampled on this LP.
It is instantly recognisable as 60’s music, which if you like it, you definitely will not be disappointed with every track on here. I love ‘There’s a little picture playhouse’ on Side 1. And it may be me, but the second track ‘Love’ reminds me an awful lot of Gloria, recorded by Van Morrison / Them amongst others, over the years. They eventually morphed into Gentle Giant later in the 70’s but as this incarceration, the band were built around 3 brothers, the Shulman’s, one of whom, for reasons unknown, adopted the name Simon Dupree. It is alleged that a young Reg Dwight played with them at a few gigs but they chose not to use any of his songs. If… only… perhaps.
So what you get is mid 60’s pop from a band who eventually went on to have a massive hit called Kites, later the same year. As such I suspect this record is a little forgotten but there is some good music on here and if you have any interest in mid 60’s pop, it is well worth checking out.
