Aquila - Aquila (1970) (2012)

Aquila biography [progarchives.com]
Welsh band Aquila arose from the ashes of late 1960's band BLONDE ON BLONDE. Founding guitarist Ralph Denyer left that band in 1970 to work on his Aquila project. Blonde on Blonde recruited new vocalist/guitarist David Thomas (an old school friend of Denyer) to replace Denyer, and went on to record their best album "Rebirth".

Aquila's music, while substantially based in art rock, draws in influences from a diverse range of influences, including jazz and heavy rock. Deyner was the clear leader of the band, writing all the songs on their sole release, a self titled album.

Quite what happened to the band thereafter, and why they split up so quickly is something of a mystery, especially since they were signed to a major label (RCA). Wind instrumentalist George Lee joined ARRIVAL, a mainly vocal collaboration who enjoyed brief singles success before his arrival with the song "Friends".

The sole "Aquila" album ended up in the bargain bins of the UK, but ironically, is now a sought after rarity.