Ben

• GATEFOLD EDITION

Canterbury-based progressive jazz-rock act Ben only released one obscure album, issued on Philips’ prog subsidiary Vertigo in 1971, but it’s a lovely collective of extended instrumental jams, worthy of discovery for those that missed it the first time around. Peter Davey’s saxophone and clarinet melodies push the material to high peaks, against an understated backing from future Nashville Teens bassist, Len Surtees and former Graham Bond drummer, David Sheen, keyboardist Alex Macleery and guitarist Gerry Reid adding flourishes at key moments. The songs “The Wooing Of The Child” and “The Wooing Of The Man” credit a certain K Jarrett as songwriter, making this rare beast all the more intriguing.

TRACKS:

• SIDE A
• A1. The Influence ......... 10:05
• a) The Wooing Of The Child
• b) The Innocence Of The Child
• c) The Interest Of Youth
• d) The Involvement Of The Man
• e) The Realization
• f) The Wooing Of The Man
• g) The Conclusion
• A2. Gibbon ........... 9:32

• SIDE B
• B1. Christmas Execution ..... 7:21
• B2. Gismo ............ 11:50