Jonesy-No Alternative (1972)

Another of the lesser-known British symphonic rock bands was Jonesy, an admirable group that, under the spell of Mellotron sounds, evoked the influences of early King Crimson. Its members were trumpeter Alan Bown, guitarist John Evan-Jones, keyboardist Jamie Kaleth, drummer Plug Thomas, and bassist Gypsy Jones. Any of their three released albums are gems of early 1970s proto-progressive rock. Their debut album, "No Alternative" (1972), featured standout tracks such as the progressive heavy rock anthem "Mind of the Century", the emotive epic "Heaven", and complex compositions like "1958", all underpinned by biting lyrics on recurring themes such as political corruption and the environment. The group's strong personality and captivating style, imbued with ethereal interplay between guitars and Mellotron, are evident in their next two releases: the elaborate "Keeping Up" (1973), featuring sublime moments like the avant-garde "Critique (With Exceptions)" and the poignant "Children"; and "Growing" (1973), the band's final album, which veers towards progressive jazz rock, as exemplified by tracks like "Can You Get That Together", "Hard Road", and "Know Who Your Friends Are". Despite their visionary approach and immense talent, they didn't achieve the desired success, and some time later, they brought their fascinating musical adventure to a close.