AARDVARK (AKA: PUT IT IN YOUR PIPE AND SMOKE IT)

4.5 stars. There once was a band called BLACK CAT BONES who released one album in 1970, and the significance of this is that members and former members of that band would go on to play in AARDVARK, some also leaving before they released their sole album also in 1970 but later of course. While others from these two bands would go on to form FREE. That hard rocking blues rock band with Paul Rodgers on vocals of course. These three bands have some major connections.

Interesting that FREE's guitarist played in both bands prior to them recording an album but he left both before that happened. So I think AARDVARK decided after he left that they would be a keyboard driven band with no guitar. A four piece of vocals, bass, drums and keyboards. I love this record. It's so consistent, no weak links at all and I just really enjoy everything about it. The vocals are great as are the compositions. Proto-Prog gets mentioned a lot with this band but they were more than that in my opinion. I like how one reviewer describes their sound as sympathetic, that works for me. And the reviewer who said the keyboardist Steve Milliner would play for CARAVAN? That was Steve Miller not this guy.

How about that opener "Copper Sunset" with the dirty, distorted organ that riffs madly, so good. I should have mentioned the drummer earlier because the guy kills on the kit, so impressed. "Very Nice Of You To Call" reminds me of the 60's with the vocals and lighter sound. A mid-paced beauty and checkout the vocal melodies to end it. "Many Things To Do" is quite powerful and catchy, another vocal track. "Greencap" has processed vocals and regular vocals and the tempo shifts often. Distorted organ brings Canterbury to mind. No this isn't Steve Miller. How about a bass solo? Yes sir! Piano too during a long instrumental break.

"I Can't Stop" has a mellow intro with floating organ before suddenly kicking into gear 2 minutes in, vocals too. Catchy with piano joining in. "Outing" is quite silly vocally for the first 2 minutes then it takes a deep dive into psychedelia that is very experimental. Did you know that Dave Hitchcock is the producer here and he has produced some rather famous records but he also is involved in playing on this track probably during the experimental section that dominates this 10 minute piece.

Some recorder on "Once Upon A Hill" the only track composed by the bass player, the singer did the rest. The closer "Put That In Your Pipe" has a hard driving sound to it with a powerful intro involving the organ of course. At 4 minutes it's more compact and more impressive as a result the way these guys play. The bass player shows his stuff then an intense ending.

I feel that Proto-Prog is my least favourite sub-genre and while they have this band under Crossover here almost everyone mention Proto so if it is, I just found my favourite of that style. Regardless this is an incredible record that fits my tastes perfectly.