Indian Summer-Indian Summer (1971)

This is one of the hidden gems of English proto-progressive rock, a spectacular and magnificent work that was the sole legacy of the British band Indian Summer. Formed in Coventry in 1968 by drummer Paul Hooper and singer/keyboardist Bob Jackson, both musicians had already played in various Coventry bands such as The Rochester Beaks and This That And The Other. The band was completed by guitarist Roy Butterfield and bassist Alan Hatton. Indian Summer initially opted to be a cover band, but this trend was short-lived, as the talent of its members soon led them to create their own music. In the midst of a period of great creativity, guitarist Butterfield left the band and was replaced by Steve Cottrell just as they were discovered by talent scout Jim Simpson, a renowned promoter who at the time was managing bands such as Earth, who would soon become Black Sabbath. After several lineup changes, they signed with Vertigo Records and entered Trident Studios in London to record their first album in 1971. This self-titled debut featured Hooper and Jackson, along with new members Colin Williams on guitar and Malcolm Harker on bass. The album is packed with rhythmic sounds and expansive musical passages, emphasizing keyboards and guitars, and possessing a certain dark atmosphere. The opening track, "God Is The Dog", stands out as a superb composition that highlights Bon Jackson's deep vocals and organ sounds, while progressive passages like the excellent "From The Film Of The Same Name", "Black Sunshine", and "Half Changed Again" are on par with any of the leading bands of the era. The rest of the album is of exceptional quality, achieving sublime moments of great symphonic rock. The band's limited commercial success led to its dissolution, with each member pursuing different solo projects or focusing on other professional matters.