HEAVY SOUL: ANTHOLOGY

Well filled

"Heavy soul" is a fine double CD introduction to the music of Atomic Rooster. The collection is packed with what are arguably the best tracks taken from their original albums, plus a suitably psychedelic sleeve. Given that the only consistent thing about the band was their startling inconsistency, there is a strong case for asserting that this is indeed all the Atomic Rooster you could ever need.

The band's two best know songs "Tomorrow night" and "Devil's answer" (both of which were hit singles) are of course here. Unlike most Atomic Rooster compilations however, it is the original studio recordings which are included, not inferior live versions. The collection starts with the self titled first album (or is it "Atomic Roooster per the sleeve"?) and works its way through to "Nice 'n' greasy" from 1973. Thus, while there are a number of significant line up changes along the way, the collection covers the band's classic era in detail.

With two well filled CDs in this package, there is plenty of room available to include a good number of tracks from the five source albums. For example, all but one of the tracks from "In hearing of.." are included, as is the aforementioned non-album single "Devil's answer", which became a bonus track on remaster of "In hearing of". In addition, there are a number of comparatively rare tracks to complete the compilation. "Can't find a reason" was recorded in late 1972 as the intended prelude to a Vincent Crane solo album, and released as a single backed with the non-album piano instrumental "Moods", which is also included in this package. Interestingly, the A side was actually deemed to be by Crane/Farlowe, Chris Farlowe being the then current vocalist with Atomic Rooster. The A side was an uncharacteristically impassioned ballad, which would eventually appear on the unfortunately titled "Nice 'n' greasy" album.

"Tell your story" was released as an isolated single in 1974 in the name of "Vincent Crane's Atomic Rooster". It is a rather anonymous, lightweight affair with a repetitive hook, and some nice brass work. The B side, "O.D.", which for obvious reasons when you hear it was a B side, closes this compilation.

In terms of the music, there is of course a strong emphasis on the keyboard work of Crane. While he has always claimed that the band's influences were more in soul music (hence the album name here) than rock or prog, it is only on the final source two albums "Made in England" and "Nice 'n' greasy" that such influences really become overt. Even then, the basis of the music is still firmly founded in rock. The songs can at times tend to seem like more of the same, the band never really progressing from the organ driven funk and blues rock which Crane brought with him from The Crazy World of Arthur Brown. Bands such as BLACK SABBATH and URIAH HEEP ploughed similar furrows around the same time as Atomic Rooster, but both developed and refined their sound while Crane, possibly in part due to his health, appeared to be happy to maintain the status quo.

For those wishing to obtain the back catalogue of Atomic Rooster in all its glory, the excellent remasters of their original albums are a worthy purchase. For those simply looking to obtain a significant cross section of their best works in one package, this will fit that bill nicely.

If you don't own anything from ATOMIC ROOSTER or are a novice looking for a good introduction to the band, then get "Heavy Soul"!

A nicely packed double-disc collection is properly titled to confront two different music styles and indeed, Disc one presents more familiar heavy side of the band, while the second one focuses on the funk/soul and fusion elements that they played with on their later albums. Entire classic period 1970-74 - the first 5 albums - are represented, including several singles-only tracks which makes this set valuable for collectors too. It is nice to follow the progression and a change of style from early heavy rock riffs of the first two albums through more soul-influenced later works that sometimes brings you close to the fold of Norman Whitfield's "psychedelic soul" production.

Thumbs up for compilation albums like this one!

PERSONAL RATING: 3,5/5

P.A. RATING: 4/5

"Heavy Soul: Anthology" is the very best compilation available of Atomic Rooster, no question about it. 2 fabulous CDs jam packed with the best Rooster is irresistible and if you don't have any Rooster and want to hear them I recommend this over every compilation available. It features all their best tracks from the 5 classic 70s albums. I love the way you can listen to this in chronological order and it covers all their albums that are worth getting gin their entirety in any case. But for those who just want a taste of this great band, this compilation is essential heavy prog.

Here's how the tracks line up.

From the debut "Atomic Ro-ooster" there are Banstead, Winter, Broken Wings and Friday the 13th. This early phase has Crane on keyboards a bit rough around the edges and the riffs are not as heavy but this was a solid debut.

There are only 4 tracks from their greatest album "Death Walks Behind You" including the single Tomorrow Night, Nobody Else, Sleeping for Years and the brilliant Death Walks Behind You. The Devil's Answer is included of course as their other massive hit single. This album is an essential purchase so with only 4 tracks it would be worth getting this comp with the DWBY album.

From "In Hearing Of" is Breakthrough, Break the Ice, Black Snake, The Price, Decision/Indecision, Head in the Sky, The Rock. This means the whole album apart from the marvellous instrumental 'Spoonful of Bromide....' which should have been here to replace one of these others. So it is still worthwhile getting this as it features most of that album replacing it in a sense.

From "Made In England" that is often left off compilations due to change in label there is Close Your Eyes, Time Take My Life, Stand By Me, Breathless, People You Can't Trust. These are perhaps the best tracks so a good selection for this compilation.

From "Nice N Greasy" that is ignored by many compilations we have the best of this album; Can't Find a Reason, Save Me, Ear in the Snow, Never to Lose, Take One Toke, All Across the Country. The other tracks were the more recent Moods, Tell your story and O.D..

So in conclusion by all means grab this compilation if you have nothing on Rooster because this is the best of the classic 70s period for AR. Featuring the best of classics and almost the entire "In Hearing Of" I have to award this 4 stars. The packaging is excellent with much info and pics. A very nice package from the best heavy prog from Atomic Rooster and for the uninitiated an essential purchase..