Brian Auger's Oblivion Express - Closer to It!
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Music CD Cover
Artist: Brian Auger's Oblivion ExpressEdition: Music CD
Format: Import
CD Release Date: 2005-08-09
Music Label: Castle Music UK
Soundtracks:
- Whenever You're Ready
- Happiness Is Just Around the Bend
- Light on the Path
- Compared to What
- Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)
- Voices of Other Times
Free Music Notes for Closer to It!
Free Music Review: An Auger Classic!
Hit: 5 Stars
Brian Auger's 1973 release 'Closer To It' was the record that finally introduced him to a U.S. audience and ultimately broke his career open based on the success of the AOR airplay that quickly moved him across the board from the rock charts to jazz and R&B. Barely known outside his home in Great Britain until this release, Auger had performed in a series of highly-talented aggregations(including one that featured mod rocker Rod Stewart); moving gradually from the hip underground European jazz scene into the major league headlights with his most commercial package to date. After a few key personnel shuffles, the band lineup finally solidified with Jack Mills on guitar, bassist Barry Dean and a tightly - knit rhythm section comprised of Godfrey Maclean on drums and Lennox Laington on congas and additional percussion. Multi-talented lead vocalist and musician Alex Ligertwood had been on board for some of Brian's prior works but in this instance; Auger ended up doing yeoman's work on lead vocals himself and his unique style fit perfectly into the 'mix'. Always feeling most comfortable in a working band setting; Auger produced his best sounds here; fronting a driving rhythm section with some beefy Hammond organ and various keyboards coupled with a crack progressive rock guitar/bass frontline. His energetic cover of Marvin Gaye's 'Inner City Blues' still sounds fresh today and the rest of the album virtually set the prototype for today's acid-jazz style with its' eclectic mixture of jazz, rock, funk and hip-bop. The standout track "Happiness Is Just Around The Bend" was eventually covered by American R&B sensations 'The Main Ingredient'; also providing Brian with another chart credit(both acts were, at the time, signed to the RCA label). What's most amazing though; about this record, is that it truly became a major groundbreaking effort at the time when it was originally released - but it almost wasn't released. Marketing departments back then often preferred going in a proven direction as opposed to releasing something more on the cutting edge and frequently tried to dissuade an artist from going forward. But fortunately, the radio programming scene back then was far less compartmentalized than what it is today and this disc also benefitted from a more wide-open range of consumer taste in a period of time where predominantly instrumental music wasn't typically viewed(at least, not by record labels)as commercially viable except in strict jazz circles. When the listening audience responded; not only with their ears, but also with their wallets; suddenly the 'suits' began to 'get with it'!! So this record truly 'crossed over' numerous musical boundaries in a way not often seen then, or even now. The sheer energy of these performances(most of them were 'live studio takes' as opposed to carefully constructed tracks with complementary overdubs)becomes apparent when listening to the set. It has that 'up front' feel that is characteristic of zesty, jazz-inspired music yet it's never overbearing; with the musicians all maintaining a tight, cohesive blend. My brother and I listened to this one so often; we ended up going thru two copies on vinyl(and I bought a third copy when we split our record collection some years later - as well as the cassette tape version; which I listened to regularly while on the road during the years I traveled as a sound engineer). Now, we both own it on CD also, and it remains one of our all-time favorites! On a side note - there are currently two versions of the reissued CD available - the one that has the British released liner notes and cover graphics that comes in an expanded version(it has some alternate tracks included) - and a recently re-packaged U.S. version that features the stateside album graphics(with the blue 'express train' cover illustration)and a similar set of alternate tracks. I've checked out both versions and the first six tracks are the same program that the original album was, with a couple of unreleased(but saved)takes and an edited (45 single)version of "Inner City Blues" tacked on. And for all of you high - fidelity audio performance types - this is one of those albums that just sounds better and better the more you turn up the volume; so be prepared to upgrade your hardware if you haven't already done so - you'll enjoy this the most when it's right 'in your face'!!
Closer to It! Poster
24 bit digitally remastered Spanish reissue of original album by the rock virtuoso in a deluxe digipak with the original cover art. Contains the American cover a rt from the original 1973 RCA release, the six tracks from that release and four bonus tracks, 'Whenever You're Ready', 'Happiness Is Just Around The Bend', 'Inner City Blues' & 'Voices Of Other Times'. 10 cuts total. Digipak. 1999 release.Jazz Music CDs
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