A great second set from guitarist Jon Mark and reedman Johnny Almond – both musicians who'd recorded great music in the 60s on their own, and also worked famously with John Mayall – but hit a really special vibe here of their own! Titles include "The Sausalito Bay Suite", which takes up most of side one – plus "Journey Through New England", "One Way Sunday", "Sunset", and "Ballad Of A Man". LP, Vinyl record album

The fantastic debut of Mark Almond – not one guy, but the duo of guitarist Jon Mark and reedman Johnny Almond – both of whom had made their mark in a range of other modes on the UK scene before this set! Mark plays guitar – both classical and electric – and also sings the vocals – in a way that might make the set another singer/songwriter effort of the period, were it not for all the wonderful touches that Almond brings to the music – using a range of saxes, vibes, flute, and percussion – mixed with the organ and keyboards of Tommy Eyre, and the bass of Rodger Sutton – which creates this great sort of folk funk flow, almost making the album sound more like a Joe Boyd production on Island than you might expect! Titles include "The City", "The Ghetto", "Love", "Tramp & The Young Girl", and "Song For You". LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

An album that definitely lives up to its title – as the set is definitely a turning point in the career of John Mayall, and the debut of brand new lineup that helped move his music past a the straighter sound of American blues! There's still plenty of blues at the core – and great vocals and harmonica from the leader – but the lineup also features no drums at all, which gives very open space to freeplay between the acoustic guitar of Jon Mark, the bass of Steve Thompson, and the wicked work of Johnny Almond on tenor, alto, and flute! The jazzy elements that Almond brings to the music are wonderful – and really open up the sound, and showcase a whole new side of Mayall's talents too – as the group here play live at the Fillmore East, on titles that include "The Laws Must Change", "California", "I'm Gonna Fight For You JB", "Room To Move", and "Saw Mill Gulch Road". LP, Vinyl record album