CANTERBURY KNIGHTS

One of the many progressive acts to exist in the 1970s but never managed to release an album, THE POLITE FORCE (alternately referred to without the definite article) existed for a brief time from 1976 to 1978 in Canterbury, England and was quite active on the live circuit at the time. At the band's core was guitarist Mark Hewins, saxophonist Max Metto, drummer Vince Clarke and bassist Graham Flight who contributed vocals and harmonica for a brief moment in 1965 with The Wild Flowers, the undisputed progenitor of the entire Canterbury Scene of progressive jazz-rock.

During the band's three year existence POLITE FORCE had a changing lineup and large number of guest musicians which included Caravan's Dave Sinclair, Andy Ward and Andy Latimer who all three were in Camel at the same time. While no album was released there was the intention to do so with the members having recorded numerous demos in 1976-77 that never went anywhere that is until the Voiceprint label recused them from the dungeon and released the archival compilation titled CANTERBURY KNIGHTS which saw the light of day in 1996. Given the timespan and rotating cast members, this release features two saxophonists, Max Metto and Geoff Corner and the part-time flautist Jon Rowe contributing only to certain tracks.

While clearly steeped in the Canterbury jazz-rock sounds of the jazzier sounds of post-Third era Soft Machine, POLITE FORCE (which mined its moniker from the classic Egg album) was basically an all instrumental jam band in the vein of the contemporary jazz-rock sounds of Brand X, Munju, Embryo and Pork Pie. The Canterbury sounds are more rooted in the atmospheric delivery than the rather no nonsense jazz-rock stylistic approach. CANTERBURY KNIGHTS delivers twelve tracks that were liberated from the vaults with over 72 minutes of playing time ranging from energetic jazz-rock performances such as "Extension" to softer sensual slow burners. There are moments that evoke National Health, Isotope, the funk fueled jazz-rock of Secret Oyster and many other influences of the era.

This collection should be considered a supplemental dose of Canterbury for hardcore fans who travel all avenues. Hardly essential as there is nothing even remotely original, the myriad tracks on CANTERBURY KNIGHTS nevertheless is a pleasant listening experience and highlights the lesser roads traveled in the years when the original scene was still going strong. Knotty guitar led workouts and smooth streams of jazz-rock guarantee that fans of the style will be thrilled to finally experience this lesser known exemplification of one of prog's most beloved niches however just don't expect to be blown away because while totally listenable, these demos will never be considered some long lost masterpiece by any stretch of the imagination.