Oldish Psych and Prog

A late '60s pop-rock supergroup from Los Angeles. David Marks had been with the Beach Boys; Matthew Moore was with Matthew Moore Plus Four and did solo work before joining the Mad Dogs; David Jackson came from Hearts and Flowers and was later with Dillard and Clark; Larry Brown had drummed with Davie Allen and The Arrows (and no doubt on many other combos behind film soundtracks and those Sidewalk/Tower releases produced by Mike Curb) and would later turn up in Gunhill Road.

Their albums are rated highly by some - not really psychedelic but with psychy touches and imagery, and more pop than rock - their sound has been compared to the Beatles and the Bee Gees from that period. Certainly well-crafted, dare one say, progressive-pop. Almost all material written by the band (predominantly Moore), the second album was produced and arranged by Moore and Brown. Worth investigating if this sounds appealing, especially as the LPs can still be found fairly easily and at reasonable prices.

(Max Waller / Vernon Joynson / Hugh MacLean)

'68:
01. "Mothers and fathers" 2:06
02. "Pleasure" 3:20
03. "I should be dreaming" 2:34
04. "Brother Lou's love colony" 3:58
05. "Got to be on my way" 2:01
06. "Someday girl" 2:42
07. "Papers" 1:00
08. "Faces" 2:07
09. "Never mind" 1:51
10. "Give me more" 2:49
11. "She's on my mind" 2:22
12. "Walking around" 1:57

'69:
13. "Pirate" 2:55
14. "Lebanon" 1:45
15. "Transporting machine" 1:41
16. "Mary Jane" 2:16
17. "Softly 17" 3:01
18. "Not to know" 2:43
19. "The good side" 2:59
20. "Life is a season" 2:22
21. "John Automaton" 2:18
22. "Come out tonight" 2:48
23. "Mr. Duffy" 2:56

bonus:
24. "Pirate song" 2:38
25. "Not to know(mono 45 mix)" 2:42
26. "Face in the crowd (Matthew Moore Plus 4)" 2:05
27. "White silk glove (Matthew Moore plus 4)" 2:15
28. "Come on home(Matthew Moore plus4)" 2:59

• LARRY BROWN drums
• DAVID JACKSON bs,vcls
• DAVID MARKS gtr,vcls
• MATTHEW MOORE keyb'ds,gtr,vcls