LIVE AT THE 19TH DREAM OF DR SARDONICUS FESTIVAL

London Underground were formed in December 1998 in Florence by Gianluca Gerlini (Hammond, piano, Mellotron), Daniele Caputo (vocals and drums) and Marco Piaggesi (bass), although the origins of the band stretch back to the classic Italian progressive rock band Standarte where Caputo was drummer. Over the years they have released four studio albums and have had various personnel changes with Gerlini being the only constant. 2023 saw them headline the Fruits de Mer summer festival in Wales ? the 19th Dream of Dr. Sardonicus Festival. A 68-minute-long version was then released in January of this year, while I am listening to the six-song 42-minute version which was made available on vinyl by FdeM in August.

To be honest, even listening to this digitally it feels like a vinyl release in that this is music out of time, music which belongs firmly in the Sixties and sounds like it never progressed. Here Gerlini has been joined by Alberto Capelli (guitars), Stefano Gabbani (bass) and Andrea diLillo (drums) but it is fair and correct to say they are only there in a supporting role as this is all about dated keyboards and organs, with the Hammond front and centre. It is taking us back to a time where Brian Auger and George Fame were kings, and we even get a version of "Bumpin' on Sunset" which Auger made famous, while "Fanfare" could have been come straight at us from The Nice and the mighty Keith Emerson. Gerlini plays held-down chords with one hand and must also be using sequencers as there are often two layers of background while he is soloing with his right.

There is something very special about the sound of the Hammond, whether it is in prog, psychedelia or jazz, and in the hands of a master is a dominant force and there is no doubt that Gerlini is just that. There were some wonderful bands at the festival last year, as there is every year, but this recording leaves no-one in any doubt as to why London Underground were the headline.