AS YOU LIKE IT

"Ages Come And Ages Go" is an archival release, it consists of 8 tracks recorded between 1973 and 1975, but released for the first time in 2021. I have to admit, I really love the vintage style/vibe of early 70's UK progressive rock bands and As You Like It is one of them. The band played a melodic, song based, Hammond organ driven progressive rock with beautiful vocal harmonies in the vein of bands such as Spring, Cressida,, Cirkus, Fantasy and to some extend Beggar's Opera (Hammond organ work and classical arrangements on couple tracks). Despite some interest by record labels, the band was never signed and decided to call it a day. The opening track, the longest track and highlight of the album "No More Sunshine Till May" was included on the compilation 3-CD set called "Lullabies For Catatonics: A Journey Through The British Avant-Pop/Art Rock Scene 1967-74" released in 2019 by Grapefruit Records. It has beautiful main theme with tasteful organ and mellotron work by band's keyboardist John Ellis. Another one of my favorites, the song titled "Turn Around" opens with pastoral sounding motif played on clavinet, but quickly transforms into more rockier, dynamic song with mellotron and organ passages. "September Song" is the only instrumental song on the album. The beauty of this album is in melody, simply breathtaking. Stylistically very cohesive without any fillers or duds. Definitely one of the hidden, undiscovered pearls of progressive rock. Highly recommended to treasure hunters of obscure, lesser known early 70's UK prog bands.