Aura – s/t. 1971. Definitely one of the best horn rock albums. The movement was quite large after Chicago and BS&T became chart toppers (not to mention that Aura were from Chicago as well). However most groups tried too hard for pop stardom, and failed miserably. Or they were blues rock groups that added horns in a feeble attempt to be trendy. But Aura just kicks butt from beginning to end. They never lost focus of the horn charts and they’re constantly a feature, rather than a side show for some lame songwriting. In fact, Aura are BRASSY, more than any other album I’ve ever heard. Also some killer guitar solos ala Terry Kath to sink your teeth into. They aren’t progressive in the sense of Brainchild or McLuhan - more like BS&T if they’d amped it up a bit and not been so schmaltzy. Not sure if there’s a market for this long forgotten style, but if there is, Aura along with Gas Mask would have to be the first two to get notice for a CD reissue.
Round House – ‘Scuse Me. 1972. German group who obviously spent a lot of time with their Chicago Transit Authority album collection. And they do a pretty convincing job of their variation of the horn rock sound. Some good grooves and they veer towards the jazzy side, always a plus in this genre. Much better than the more known Brain label horn group Creative Rock.
Undertakers Circus – Ragnarok. 1973. Norwegian horn rock band that reminds me some of the more typical and mediocre US acts from the 1970 era. While the horn charts are uniformly well played, the compositions themselves maintain a blues rock standard. Probably the first Splash album from Sweden, which I spoke of recently, is the closest comparison. But it’s not even that worthwhile. There’s just not enough here to warrant seeking out. Though if you’re still curious, Pan Records of Norway has reissued it legit on CD. Undertakers Circus also has a second album from 1975, which is not on CD yet (and I haven’t heard).