Skin Alley: To Pagham and Beyond (remaster)

Skin Alley followed up their 1969 self-titled debut relatively quickly, elisting the services of producer Fritz Fryer and engineer Martin Birch (both of whom the band worked with on the single version of "Tell Me" from their debut) for the sophomore release To Pagham and Beyond. While the band was recording the album in 1970, bassist Thomas Crimble left to join Hawkwind, and was replaced by former Atomic Rooster bassist Nick Graham. The music on To Pagham and Beyond still has that early prog sound, but with less reliance on Hammond organ this time around, and no Mellotron to be heard, the band expands on their jazz vibe much more with the extended use of flute, sax, and trumpet.

"Big Brother is Watching You" is a great example of this, with rich reeds and intricate rhythms, as well as strong lead vocals. The piece has a very strong jazz and blues flavor, thanks also to some thobbing bass lines and lead harmonica. Lead flute is all the rage on the pulsing "Take Me To Your Leader's Daughter", complete with jazzy saz, piano, a myriad of percussion. The band dives straight into blues rock territory on "Walking in the Park" led by a great vocal from Graham, loads of horns, funky organ, and deep grooves. I was instantly reminded of early Colloseum on this track. Dark & somber Hammond organ takes center stage on the majestic rocker "The Queen of Bad Intentions", a song very reminiscent of the style of Skin Alley's first album. Bob James delivers a stabbing guitar solo on this one as well as plenty of tight riffs, and there's a great atmospheric ending to the piece that ultimately leads to a wild, almost "free-jazz" outburst at the end. This leads into the upbeat, almost early-Chicago meets Blood Sweat & Tears influenced rocker "Sweaty Betty", a song with raging trumpet & sax, quirky vocals, and driving guitar & organ vamps. Included as well is an extended drum solo from Giles Pope on this one as well. The dark and ominous "Easy to Lie" closes out the album and mixes soaring jazz with Doors-like psychedelia, highlighted by an assortment of raucous sax passages, spoken word vocals, and creepy organ flourishes.

All told, To Pagham and Beyond is another fine album from Skin Alley, who would go on to record two more before breaking up in 1973. While some may prefer the more proggy sounds of the self-titled debut, if you like more jazz in your rock music this one might suit your taste just fine.

Track Listing
1. Big Brother Is Watching You
2. Take Me to Your Leader's Daughter
3. Walking in the Park
4. Queen of Bad Intentions
5. Sweaty Betty
6. Easy to Lie

Added: November 18th 2006
Reviewer: Pete Pardo
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Related Link: Eclectic Discs
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Language: english

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