AWAKE

Surprisingly good entry from brothers Chris and James Kellesis [organ & drums] with backup from guitarist Dave Bernard and singer Charlie Shannon doing hard & bluesy but sensitive progressive psych. In hindsight, this is one of the better representative albums from Canada's golden age of psych/prog and shows a band as good as any of their bill-sharing contemporaries. Jackal are often compared to Lord&Blackmore though 1973's Awake recalls as much Warhorse, Traffic or Badger with a warm, soulful sound that permeates the heavy organ/guitar interplay. Negligible is 'At the Station' but 'For You' is pretty balladry, and flowery 'Sunny Side of the Day' has familiar period trips. But it's 8&1/2-minute 'A New Day Has Arisen' that will perk-up the ears of any vintage Prog buff as it sweeps between majestic guitar/organ lines and softer beachcombing. 'Lost in the World' is rough as sandpaper, 'In the Heavens' is great hard acid, and the title cut is a worthy namesake.

Though not for everyone, Toronto's Jackal was the real deal and delivered convincing heavy prog when many peers were stumbling over their amps.