TOUCH [AKA: 20-20 SOUND]

Many years ago I got this reissue (from 2003) as a promo for a Dutch progrock magazine, I had never heard of this USA band, but on the Internet I read many positive reviews, close to euphoric. So I was very curious to the sound of this band. The included information sheet mentions: "Touch is classic psychedelic/proto progressive band album from 1969, featuring producer Don Galluci (Kingsmen and The Stooges)."

Listening to this CD I notice a proto prog climate (passion, creativity, eclectic, adventurous) that reminds me of contemporary late Sixties bands, like Vanilla Fudge, Colosseum, The Nice and The Moody Blues, and Classic Prog like King Crimson and Yes. The powerful Hammond organ sound in the opener We Feel Fine even evokes embryonal Yes its keyboard player Tony Kaye, along fiery guitarwork. Next Friendly Birds that sounds mellow, but halfway more lush and dynamic, topped with propulsive and sparkling piano runs. The other five tracks contain a lot of variety, embellished with compelling keyboard play, from Hammond floods to wonderful Grand piano (between tender, swinging and jazzy), a huge asset on the original LP. The Yes-like elements and the variety reminds me of Early British Progressive Movement beauty Fruupp, but Touch delivers a more raw sound.

In general Touch succeeds to keep my attention and I consider this band as a strong attempt to make original prog. But at some moments, especially on the five bonustracks, Touch sounds a bit unstructured. But I am pleased with the long bonustrack The Second Coming Of Suzanne (a movie soundtrack) featuring beautiful Mellotron flutes and delicate work on the harpsichord and piano.

The recording quality is far from optimal, but better than an average bootleg, I think here is done a good job with the remastering in the studio. And from the 80 minutes running time I enjoyed more than the 40 minutes of the original release. So in my opinion a well deserved reissue, from an interesting proto prog band from the late Sixties.

My rating: 3,5 stars.

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