Album : Mark-Almond

 

CB knew of John Mark and Johnny Almond from their work with John Mayalls’ ‘Turning Point’ (A CB fave).  So when a friend, who had turned me onto other cool albums told me about this I was in right away.

‘The Ghetto’ is the first cut and opens with a soft piano with some bass and Jon Mark’s strong, clear vocals.  I liked his voice right away and the lyrics.  The song builds then Johnny Almond comes in with his sax accompanied by some electric piano.  The tune takes off.  I absolutely love Almond’s solo and his sound. They take it down again and we’re back to the vocals. This first cut had my attention and I was in for the whole album.  The next cut is ‘The City’ and the groove catches you right away.  It’s jazzy, bluesy and very cool. The bass and acoustic guitar lay it down with piano adding some nice touches.  Mark adds his vocals. Then it’s Almonds’ sax that comes in and seals the deal for CB.  Absolutely in sax heaven.  This is one great tune with the boys staying in the groove and jamming out. Great tune.  Had touches of Morrison and Springsteen.

‘Tramp and the Young Girl’ ends side one with a dark moody tune. It wasn’t going to win any happy song contests but it sounded good.

Side two opens with some classical guitar and flute then changes to the bass laying down another great groove along with percussion with vibes joining in.  Up tempo jazz riff with Almond again coming in with some great sax work.  He’s a little more edgy here.  The band stays in the groove jamming to the end.  CB was digging it. ‘Song For You’ ends the album in more of a jazz improv vein.  Same kind of groove they like to explore. Roger Sutton takes the vocals and has a more edgy style than Mark.  It works for the tune.

This music was taking CB into more new territory musically.  I was digging jazz at the time and this was expanding that genre for him..  Again it was different from the other stuff he was listening too.  I think Johnny Almond’s sax playing was a big part of it.  This album would prompt me to search out more of their music.  Mark/Almond were on the radar.