JADE WARRIOR

"Jade Warrior" is the eponymously titled debut full-length studio album by UK progressive rock act Jade Warrior. The album was released through Vertigo Records in May 1971. Jade Warrior was formed by the two former July (60s UK psychedelic rock band) members Tony Duhig (guitar) and Jon Field (flute, percussion, keyboards), and Glyn Havard (vocals, bass).

What you immediately notice when first listening to this debut album is the lack of a drummer. Every rhythm on this album is created by some sort of percussive instrument other than a drum set. Despite the lack of a drummer the often hard rocking distorted guitar riffs do provide the music with some heaviness and edge. "Jade Warrior" is otherwise an almost world music influenced progressive rock album, which sounds like nothing else released in 1971. I hear slight nods towards early Jethro Tull because of the dominant use of the flute and the folk rock influences and blues rock guitar riffs and maybe a few nods towards the mellow folky parts of early King Crimson, but Jade Warrior are otherwise very much themselves.

It´s a highly organic sounding release and only the distorted guitars and the blues rock singing lead the listeners towards thinking this is a rock album. There are just as many subtle beautiful folk rock parts on the album though, and it´s generally an album loaded with dynamics and contrasts. while only the longer tracks like "Masai Morning" and "Dragonfly Day" feature what most people would perceive as progressive song structures and the remaining tracks are more simple in structure, "Jade Warrior" is still quite the progressive leaning psychedelic rock album, as a result of the overall way the band think and create music.

The album features an organic, warm, and well sounding production, which suits the material well. Upon conclusion this is one of the more original sounding progressive rock albums of the era. while most of the musical elements which make up the album are all well known and you´re pretty surely heard them before on other releases (by other artists), Jade Warrior successfully melt together those influences and create something unique out of them. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.

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