Clear Blue Sky-Clear Blue Sky (1970)

Clear Blue Sky was a short-lived British power trio who released only one album in the 1970s, but who nevertheless became a sensation on the British blues-rock circuit for a time. Formed by guitarist John Sims, drummer Ken White, and bassist Mark Shealther, they had their first major success in a talent competition held in London. From there, they opened for renowned artists such as Irishman Rory Gallagher and British band Free. Their excellent instrumental skills did not go unnoticed by bassist Ashley Kozak, who at the time, in addition to her role as a musician, also managed various artists for Brian Epstein's NEMS label. She eventually managed to sign them to Vertigo Records and financed their self-titled debut album, released in 1970. Produced by the then-experienced Patrick Campbell-Lyons and featuring cover art by the then-unknown Roger Dean, the band showcased an interesting style of psychedelic hard rock with highly elaborate passages where the guitar always takes center stage with its incendiary riffs. The album kicks off with a bang with the saturated "Journey To The Inside", which, divided into several parts, is the longest track on the record with constant tempo changes. It continues with tracks like the psychedelic "You Mystify" and the more melodic and relaxed "Tool Of My Trade" and "My Heaven", before closing with the hard rock anthem "Birdcatcher". However, despite the band's high quality and this impressive debut, poor sales and a lack of public interest led these three young musicians to abandon the project, and they disbanded shortly thereafter. Many years later, in the nineties, they would release new material again in a series of albums that had no media impact.