Blodwyn Pig-Getting To This (1970)

The blues leanings of guitarist Mick Abrahams and the jazz-influenced contributions of violinist and flautist Jack Lancaster fueled the style of the British band Blodwyn Pig. Formed in 1968, Blodwyn Pig were a pioneer of the British avant-garde movements of the late 1960s. Founded by former Jethro Tull member Mick Abrahams, along with Jack Lancaster, bassist Andy Pyle, and drummer Ron Berg, their debut album, "Ahead Rings Out", released in 1969, showcased the quartet's blend of blues, progressive rock, heavy rock, and jazz-rock the latter thanks to Lancaster's jazzy saxophones and flutes. This first album became a classic of British progressive blues and is often cited as one of the genre's landmark works. A year later came their second LP, "Getting To This", which featured pianist Graham Waller as a guest musician. Unlike their previous progressive album, this new release leaned towards classic blues rock with experimental and diverse tones, subtly moving away from their jazz approach in a clear attempt to expand their sonic palette. Tracks like the rhythm and blues "Drive Me", the progressive folk jazz "Variations on Nainos", the bluesy folk "Long Bomb Blues" and "Toys", the progressive blues rock "San Francisco Sketches", and the jazzy "Send Your Son To Die" represented this ultimately unsuccessful attempt to explore new sonic horizons.