JOURNEY

This The Third Kingdom Come Lp is perhaps their finest, even if it was their first with new 'Drummer' Ace Bentley (an early drum machine, 'The Bentley Rhythm Ace'). Arthur Brown is one of the most overlooked vocalist's in rock people tending to concent on his outrageous stage persona than on his great expressive voice.

'Journey' has all the elements of a great rock album, starting off with the tripped out Space Rock of the opening track 'Time Captives' that out Hawkwind's Hawkwind at their own game.

The experimental, instrumental second track 'Triangles' uses only triangular guitar patterns that fascinated original producer Dennis Taylor before his own musical geometry had him jump ship to produce Dave Edmunds.

Both the epic 'Gypsy' and churchy sounding 'Superficial Roadblocks' contain fascinating vocal performances from Brown, further proof of just how good he is, while the electro ethnic drumbeat of the tribal 'Conception' is light years ahead of its time.

The ethnic spirit meets the galaxy on the melodic 'Spirit Of Joy', surly a missed chance of a hit single.

The shuffling chug of the original album's closer again contains a priceless vocal from Brown and a masterful guitar solo from Andy Dalby.

Kingdom Come split not long after this recording the nucleus of the band going on to play with Kiki Dee ?

This is a great recording now enhanced with alternate takes and a couple of BBC sessions. Buy it and see what you've been missing all these years.