Brian Auger´s Oblivion Express-Straight Ahead (1974)

Brian Auger's fifth album with his band Oblivion Express features a new lineup, with Godfrey MacLean no longer on drums, replaced by the more experienced Steve Ferrone, and the addition of percussionist Mirza Al Sharif. However, what remains largely unchanged is the frenetic jazz-rock style driven by Auger's Hammond organ, even more powerful this time around thanks to the prodigious percussion work of Lennox Laington, Steve Ferrone, and Al Sharif. This vigorous rhythm section is evident in the opening track, "Beginning Again", which, based on simple jazz-rock chords, showcases the excellence of both Auger and guitarist Jack Miles. The solid jazz fusion/rock track "Bumpin' On Sunset" represents another of the highlights, which contrasts with the funk jazz "Straight Ahead" and the long and catchy "Changes", to end with the melodic "You'll Stay In My Heart", a clear cut oriented towards radio formulas due to its attractive sound.