genre: soul
country: germany
quality : lossless (flac cue, log, scans)
time: 42'41" size: 293 mb
issue: 2007
Cosmic Dreams:
This group began their life as Joy & The Hit Kids, fronted by the talented female vocalist Joy Fleming, and they released four singles on Decca in 1967 and 1968. Their name was changed into Joy Unlimited in 1969, and five further singles were released on Polydor in 1969 and 1970 (I'm not sure if some of the singles were issued under the old name). Polydor also released their first album Overground (1970), a befitting title, as it contained 12 short pop-blues rock songs, clearly inspired by Janis Joplin. For this reason, it is a bit dated today and only completists should investigate. By then, the group was a sextet. Schmetterlinge ('butterflies') was a solid step in a progressive direction. Indeed a very versatile album, ranging from the gutsy Joplin blues of "Rankness" via free jazz improvisations like "Sensual Impressions" to excellent progressive rock songs like "Rudiment". This album saw the arrival of a seventh member: Cord Kothe. The arrangements were refined, benefiting from the group's strong musical muscle. This, and both of the subsequent albums, contained ballet music! The female vocals placed Joy Unlimited in the European tradition of bands like Sandrose, Circus 2,000 and Earth & Fire. However, this was to change when Joy Fleming departed to start a solo career in 1972. Also Klaus Nagel left, and Reflections (1973) was recorded by the five remaining members and new American Ken Traylor. Most material was now instrumental, featuring many flute and sax solos. Influences from classical music and folk were also more evident in the compositions. Their last album, Minne (1974), would have fitted in fine on the Pilz label alongside the folk albums of Holderlin and Broselmaschine. It represented a softening of their style - more sophisticated and homogenous. Traylor had left, being replaced by Joschi Dinier, Hans Lingenfelder and the returning Klaus Nagel. Minne was a very good orchestrated progressive folk-rock album, apart for a couple of short brass-jazz tracks.
01. Save Me Save Me 2:26
02. Groove With What You've Got 2:23
03. All Together Now 2:37
04. I Hold No Grudge 3:12
05. Feelin' 2:45
06. Take Me To The Pilot 3:30
07. Have You Met Anyone Lately? 2:27
08. It's Not Alright 2:40
09. I Just Made Up My Mind 2:25
10. Mr. Pseudonym 3:49
11. Mr. Slater 2:34
12. Helpless Child 3:14
13. Sunshine (Bonus Track) 2:17
14. Oh Darlin' (Bonus Track) 3:17
15. Daytime Nighttime (Bonus Track) 3:05
Joy Fleming / vocals
Hans W. Herkenne / drums, percussion
Albin Metz / trumpet, bass
Roland Heck / organ, piano, vibes, marimba, percussion, vocals
Dieter Kindl / bass, guitar, percussion
Gerd Köthe / saxophone, flute
Klaus Nagel / guitar, woodwind, percussion, flute
Hans Lingenfelder / guitar
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