Czar-Czar (1970)

Such are the vagaries of the music business that incredible talent doesn't always guarantee success or lasting recognition. This was the case for this British band, founded in 1966 as Tuesday's Children, who changed their name to Czar in 1970. In their early days, this English quartet stuck to the parameters of pop rock, with some flirtations with progressive rock, and during the late 1960s they were regulars at various London clubs like the Marquee and toured with The Moody Blues, The Nice, The Troggs, and King Crimson. Their lineup consisted of guitarist and vocalist Mick Ware, keyboardist Bon Hodges, drummer Derrick Gough, and bassist Paul Kendrick. Now as Czar, they entered the recording studio and poured their talent into their self-titled album, released in 1970. This work leaned more towards progressive and avant-garde sounds, with extensive use of the Mellotron, thus diminishing the pop influences of their earlier period. On this first and only album, standout tracks include the audacious, progressive-jazz-tinged "Tread Softly On My Dreams", a clear example of the influence of the early King Crims. This is followed by the epic symphonic "Cecilia", and the first side of the album closes with the vigorously progressive "Follow Me". Side two features the intense "Dawning Of A New Day" and the brilliant "Beyond The Moon" and "A Day In September", which serve as the culmination of this interesting album by this magnificent and now-forgotten band. As would happen to so many others, Czar failed to achieve the desired success, a fact that precipitated their demise a year later. In 2007, this unique album was reissued with extra material that was intended for the recording of a second album that was never released.

Demon Fuzz-Afreaka! (1970)

Another of those magnificent, short-lived bands was the Afro-British Demon Fuzz, composed of descendants of South Africans who had emigrated to England after World War II, taking advantage of the labor shortage in British industries caused by the loss of thousands of men in that tragic conflict. This unique band was part of a diverse style that fused Latin rhythms reminiscent of Santana, the Afro-rock of Osibisa, and elements of jazz and funk blended with progressive jazz. Their lineup consisted of eight members: five formed the standard rock section drums, bass, Hammond organ, guitar, and vocals, and the rest were wind and percussion musicians. After touring for several years in various London clubs, they secured a contract with Dawn Records, releasing their only album, "Afreaka!", a magnificent work where the rhythm and energetic music captivate the listener from the opening and exhilarating "Past Present And Future", a splendid nine-minute instrumental brass rock track. The jazz-rock vein is evident in "Disillusioned Man", where they approach the musical styles of bands like Chicago or Blood, Sweat & Tears. In the exotic "Another Country", the band showcases their eclectic side with a gritty yet elegant track. The second side features their most progressive moments with the haunting "Hymn To Mother" and the psychedelic and dynamic "Mercy (Variation No. 1)". Following the album's release, the group embarked on an extensive UK tour alongside other bands from the same label, such as Camus and Heron, as well as making a guest appearance on the BBC. The recording of a subsequent maxi-single would be the band's last official release, as they disbanded some time later due to a lack of success despite their immense talent. Their only album, with the addition of some previously unreleased tracks, has been repeatedly reissued in recent years in the British, North American, and Japanese markets, generating considerable enthusiasm among fans of the darker sounds of 1970s progressive rock.

Nobody´s Business-Nobody´s Business (1978)

Nobody's Business is one of those rare bands that, formed as a supergroup, barely lasted beyond a single, engaging hard rock album, released only in Japan, and a few months of sporadic promotional tours. Formed in 1977, the members boasted impressive resumes, starting with Tony Stevens, bassist for Foghat and former member of Savoy Brown; Bobby Harrison, singer and drummer for the legendary Procol Harum; Joe Jammer, guitarist for the Olympic Runners; and renowned session drummer Jerry Frank. Their only album is an appealing fusion of rock sprinkled with blues and funk. However, it was a style they released when blues rock and proto-rock sounds were somewhat outdated, only experiencing a revival in the early 1990s. This single album, self-titled “Nobody’s Business”, was released in 1978 and contains an attractive repertoire of addictive tracks such as the somber “Losing You” or the menacing “Unsettled Dust”, two perfect examples for AOR fans, while the harder rock side is present in the manifest “Cut In Two” and “Bleed Me Dry” or in the cheerful funk rock “Living Up To Love” and “Doing The Best I Can”, while the title track is a powerful rock song that leaves us with a taste of the most forceful Humble Pie.