Room - Pre-Flight (1970) (2008)

Room biography
Founded in Blanford, UK in 1968 - Disbanded in 1970

Formed by friends in 1968, ROOM was a very good quintet from Blandford Forum, Dorset that made one album for Decca after winning second prize at a Melody Maker talent contest in '69. The unit included guitarist Steve EDGE and featured the unique voice of Jane KEVERN, Roy PUTT's bass, Bob JENKINS's percussion and the lead guitar of Chris WILLIAMS. The five achieved a large, booming sound by merging heavy psychedelic rock, progressive jazz and full orchestration.

'Pre-Flight' was released in 1970 sporting an antique triplane on the cover and though mostly ignored, proved to be a more than worthy contribution to the growing progressive art scene, the group taking inspiration from artists as Julie DRISCOLL, John MAYALL, Mick ABRAHAMS, and FAIRPORT CONVENTION. The strings and brass were arranged at 'Tin Pan Alley' by Steve EDGE and the album was recorded at Decca's West Hampstead studios in one or two days. Keyboardist John HUTCHISON who'd been in GINGER MAN with drummer JENKINS joined later.

Adventurous and rather accomplished for their time, ROOM were a cut above the average band taking advantage of rock's new voice, and 'Pre-Flight' is a little treasure now re-released in 2008 by Esoteric/Cherry Red. Worth a listen.