SORCERERS

This Jan Dukes de Grey group might have been only a nod in the progressive rock world had they never released MICE AND RATS IN THE LOFT. This shouldn't discount SORCERERS, one of the finer folk albums out there that few know about. I actually like this album more so than the next one even if MICE AND RATS is more suitable in a prog collection. Those looking for a precursor to MICE AND RATS might not be completely satisfied as elements of the next album are here in SORCERERS, but this is a whimsical folk album leaning into prog.

The idea of Derek Noy singing and playing a 12-string doesn't initially sound impressive, but he executes it so well (probably a byproduct of his writing) that I feel the whimsy and the charm he's trying to convey. Throw in Michael Bairstow on woodwinds for effect as well as organs, percussions and even an odd bass solo in the middle of the last track (a bit of a question mark) makes this an out-of-the-ordinary folk album. There is something to be said about the playfulness of this album making it stand out a bit. However, at eighteen tracks, we are in for overhaul in that there will be inevitably a few weak points.

One other problem is that highlights here are pretty much a subjective thing (should be a given in music but here even more so). The melodies encompassing the first third of the album are spine-tingling, particularly ''28th June, Village Song''. SORCERERS tends to weaken over the course of its length but manages to pull some great stuff later on like ''Texas'', ''Trust Me Now'', ''City After 3:00 AM'' and ''Turkish Time'', the longest cut and one of the more inventive tracks here, bass solo excluded.

I say SORCERERS is as important to a prog rock collection as the follow-up, even if it is more of a folk album. Enthusiasts of the genre might not want to pass this one up.