Hatfield and the North, their second and final album, "The Rotters' Club," was released in 1975.
There's little to say about the quality of the band, composed of members of Egg, Caravan, Matching Mole, and Gong—all giants—Richard Sinclair, Phil Miller, Pip Pyle, and Dave Stewart, all contributing to both the music and the lyrics. Great guests round out the lineup with an exceptional wind section: Lindsay Cooper, Jimmy Hastings, Mont Campbell, Tim Hodgkinson, and of course the Nothettes (Barbara Gaskill, Amanda Parsons, and Ann Rosenthal) on their splendid vocals.
The jazz influences are obvious, and at times it feels like you're listening to Caravan, but only because jazz was influencing the world at the time.
If you enjoyed their self-titled debut album, this one might be even better. It's a collection of fantastic songs that goes beyond the Canterbury style, with an even more jazz-fusion sound and excursions into pure rock. The songs blend together, creating an excellent epic atmosphere, and Phil Miller and Dave Stewart seem even better than on the previous release.
"Share It," the opening track, is a catchy song that instills a sense of well-being.
"Lounging There Trying" highlights Phil Miller's guitar, complemented by keyboards, bass, and soft drums that accelerate toward the end.
"(Big) John Wayne Socks Psychology On The Jaw" is a 46-second interlude that deserves a mention for the beautiful work of the keyboards, oboe, and drums, as do the 30-second "Chaos At The Greasy Spoon" with drums and horns.
"The Yes No Interlude" is, in my opinion, the most beautiful track, featuring a magnificent solo by Miller.
"Fitter Stoke Has A Bath," with its beautiful piano and vocals that gradually take over, then shifts towards experimental and ambient sounds at times.
"Didn't Matter Anyway" is a lighter track with beautiful vocals and flute.
"Underdub" is jazzy with keyboards and deep bass.
"Mumps" is an epic track, changing tempos frequently throughout its 20-minute run time, featuring beautiful female vocals and distorted keyboards.
"Halfway Between Heaven and Earth" is a beautiful jazzy piece with a great vocal section.
Also noteworthy is "Oh, Len's Nature!", a beautiful (in my opinion) digression into the band's "Heavy" sound.
"Lying and Gracing" closes with exceptional guitar, piano, and bass.
One of the best albums from the Canterbury scene in my opinion, a must-have for lovers of jazzy prog.
Highly recommended!
Tracklist
1. Share It (3:02)
2. Lounging There Trying (3:10)
3. (Big) John Wayne Socks Psychology on the Jaw (0:46)
4. Chaos at the Greasy Spoon (0:30)
5. The Yes No Interlude (7:02)
6. Fitter Stoke has a Bath (7.38)
7. Didn't Matter Anyway (3:03)
8. Underdub (3:55)
9. Mumps (8.06pm)
- a) Your Majesty is Like a Cream Donut (quiet) (1:59)
- b) Lumps (12.35)
- c) Prenut (3:55)
- d) Your Majesty is Like a Cream Donut (loud) (1:37)
Total Time: 50:12
LineUp
- Phil Miller - guitars
- Dave Stewart - Hammond organ, Fender Rhodes, piano, MiniMoog, tone generator
- Richard Sinclair - bass, lead vocals, guitar (7)
- Pip Pyle - drums, percussion
With:
- Mont Campbell - French horn (3.4)
- Lindsay Cooper - oboe, bassoon (3.5)
- Jimmy Hastings - flute (6-8.9), soprano and tenor saxophones (5.9)
- Tim Hodgkinson - clarinet (3.5)
- Amanda Parsons - backing vocals (6.9)
- Ann Rosenthal - backing vocals (6.9)
- Barbara Gaskin - backing vocals (6.9)
Note: All links to the musicians' works are in the TAGS under the article title or on the "Artists" page.
