This Oneness-Surprize (1975)

This Oneness is another of those thousands of short-lived bands that only released one obscure and little-known album of estimable art rock. Their story is as simple as this: they were "basically" the backing band for singer Olivia Newton-John on a tour of North America in the mid-seventies. At the end of that tour, all the musicians involved decided to try their luck composing and recording the album "Surprise", a record with a multitude of influences ranging from jazz rock to progressive rock, including the more accessible melodies of American rock. The lineup of The Oneness consisted of Dale Strength (vocals and guitars), Robyn Lee (keyboards and vocals), Bernard Pershey (drums), Douglas Nelson (bass), and Greg Inhofer (keyboards and guitars). In their only recording they showcase an eclectic style that moves between complex and spacey pieces like "You Can't Do That/Surprise", to attractive and accessible melodies like "Please Let The Sunshine", passing through thrilling old school Canterbury jazz rock like "In Out In Out" or progressive jazz rock like "Surprise (Reprise/Go In Peace").