The Web – Theraphosa Blondi (1970) [Remastered, 2008]

THE WEB was and remains one of the deepest secrets of British prog rock, and nowadays it is a vital item for collectors and researchers. The band started as a jazz/blues act, with a style simultaneously related to America's West Coast groove and UK's early prog (or proto-prog). The powerful presence of African-American singer John L. WATSON and two guitarists provided a tight muscle to the band's sound, reflected in the first two studio efforts "Fully Interlocking" (1968) and "Theraposa Blondi" (1970).

After WATSON and bassist Dick LEE-SMITH left, John EATON switched to bass. and more importantly, Dave LAWSON entered the band to provide not only vocals but also keyboards, as well as a whole new written material. This factor was absolutely relevant for the band to adopt a more profound progressive vibe, adding colorfulness and sophistication to the existing muscle. The band also changed labels (from DERAM to POLYDOR), and why not, the name, after dropping the article "THE". The result was portrayed in their third effort "I Spider", which is justly regarded as the band's artistic peak. The band developed a type of complex jazz-rock related to what VdGG, GENTLE GIANT, COLOSSEUM and SOFT MACHINE were doing at the time. It is no wonder that Dave LAWSON and Dave GREENSLADE's musical visions were going in parallel lines, since a couple of years later they would team up as the dual leaders of GREENSLADE. But that's another story to be told elsewhere. For their next album, WEB decided to add a second horn player to its ranks and switch its name to SAMURAI: that is also another story to be told elsewhere.

THE WEB / WEB is a must for all proto-prog and jazz-rock lovers, and ultimately, for any serious researcher who truly loves the prog genre and is eager to get acquainted with its deepest roots.