Human Beast – Volume One. 1970. I just recently heard this British gem for the first time a couple of months ago. For years I was curious about it, as at least one well known Japanese collector used the album cover as his emblem. And, I figured, if the music is anything like the cover, it will have to be exciting. I was sidetracked somewhere along the way, as I’d heard it was a typical UK blues rock album. Well, I’m here to tell you that’s certainly not the case – and it is, in fact, more reflective of the cover in terms of creativity. On the surface, it would seem to be typical of the era, given the guitar bass drums trio format. But these guys aren’t Cream plagiarists, nor did they go the Led Zeppelin, Ashkan, Elias Hulk psychedelic power variation of the blues. No, we’re moving towards the freaky, to the astral zone of Clear Blue Sky, but even beyond. The lyrical concept and overall acid feel gives the feeling that Vangelis may have stumbled onto the album before launching into “666” for his Aphrodite’s Child group. And yes, I’m sure Human Beast digested plenty of “Saucerful of Secrets” and “Ummagumma” before heading into the studio. One of the most creative of the UK power trios, no doubt. And, since cover art plays a role here, you know I was very much pleased to find a Japanese mini-LP exists. This is the type of album those things were invented for. Pity it’s only a single sleeve – but, wow, center stage in the art case it goes.

Buffalo – Volcanic Rock. 1973. Buffalo’s second album takes out the boogie rock and blues of the first album “Dead Forever” (which I briefly spoke of recently) and leaves a pretty darned good straight ahead hard rock album. I’d say it’s one of the finest in the “slo burn” style. It just keeps cooking, ever so slowly. Pulverizing rhythms and omnipresent guitar solos. That is until part 2 of the last track, ‘Shylock’, which has one of the all time great riffs in rock history. I have to think Black Sabbath knew this record, as ‘Symptoms of the Universe’, which came 3 years later, is very similar. I still need to hear the follow-up “Only Want You For Your Body”, which is here somewhere.

Wicked Minds – Witchflower. 2006. Italy’s Wicked Minds are a guilty pleasure. They are unabashedly retro rock. Hammond, Moog, Mellotron, Rickenbacker, Gibson Les Paul, cowbells. You know – 1971-1973 Deep Purple, Uriah Heep and a host of obscure “hard rock progressive” bands from England, Germany and Scandinavia. And, to Wicked Minds credit, they actually put the “prog” in hard rock prog. It’s a sub-genre of a sub-genre. And there are a few players in it now, all worth checking out: fellow Black Widow recording artist Areknames, Sweden’s Black Bonzo, and Blood of the Sun from the US are a handful more that come to mind. In some ways, these bands are better than their 1970s ancestors. I believe it’s because they’re more focused on the sound they want to achieve. The original bands may have experimented with other ideas, or pursued more commercial avenues due to pressure from major label executives. Commercial success always (I can actually use that word) altered a band’s direction in those days. Today, success for a band like Wicked Minds would be to keep playing 1970’s retro progressive hard rock. Me like.