Steamhammer - MK II (Repertoire Records)1969,1992

Album: MK II
Artist : Steamhammer
Release: (Repertoire Records)1969,1992
Genre: Crossover/ Progressive Rock
Country: UK
Codec: FLAC (tracks)
Size: 348 MB) (+3% recovery)
Additional Information:
My Silver CD:
FLAC,EAC , Secure, Test 100% LOG, CUE,Complete Scans HQ 300 Dpi


Easily Steamhammer's crowning achievment (certainly as far as progheads are concerned) ,
although many rockers will prefer Mountains. The main difference with this album and other Steamhammer albums is Steve Joliffe
who is not unknown to progheads since he went through Tangerine Dream , albeit on their controversial Cyclone ,
the only TD album to have acoustic instruments and yes! Vocals!!!!

Hardly controversial Mk II album, though as it is simply their most refined album ,
much thanks to the afore-mentioned Joliffe who playds KBs but also flutes and saxes.
Martin Pugh and Kerrian White make a solid duo on guitars but clearly the addition of KBs and winds is the difference.
Easily the highlight is the 16 min+ Travelling tune but also noteworthy are the bonus tracks
which are non-album rarities except for the single version of Junior's Wailing (present on their debut album).
A real classy album and a must for early 70's loving progheads.

4 stars Steamhammer's second album shows great evolution: their first album was rooted exclusively in blues. This album is more jazzy than the first, thanks to the addition of saxophonist/flutist Steve Joliffe. Mr. Hugues Chantraine got it right: prog-rock fans will probably enjoy this album and will find it more interesting than "Reflections" or "Mountains"; the compositions are more inventive, arrangements are more immaginative and the overall performance of the band is better. Highlights: "Supposed to be Free", "Contemporary Chick Con Song" (both are still bluesy, but more ambitious than other efforts), the short "Sunset Chase" (a beautiful acoustic guitar solo which reminds me Leslie West), "6/8 for Amiran" (with this unusual tempo structure), "Passing Through" (with his fake ending) and the wonderful "Another Travelling Tune". Highly recommended for anybody who ever thought how a prog-blues album would sound.
M. B. Zapelini | 4/5 | 2005-8-8

Studio Album, released in 1969

Tracks Listing

1. Supposed To Be Free (5:59)
2. Johnny Carl Morton (4:38)
3. Sunset Chase (3:02)
4. Contemporary Chick Con Song (3:49)
5. Turn Around (3:36)
6. 6/8 For Amiran (3:04)
7. Passing Through (5:17)
8. Down Along The Grove (0:47)
9. Another Travelling Tune (16:23)
10. Fran And Dee Take a Ride (2:58)

Total Time: 49:30
Additional Tracks:
11. Junior's Wailing (single version) (3:30)
12. Windmill (4:28)
13. Autumn Song (4:09)
14. Blues For Passing People (6:26)

Total Time: 69:33

Musicians

- Steve Jolliffe / flute, harpsichord, keyboards, saxophone (Alto), vocals, wind
- Kieran White / guitar, harmonica, Jew's-Harp, vocals
- Mickey Bradley / percussion, conga, drums
- Steve Davy / bass, guitar (bass), vocals
- Martin Pugh / guitar, guitar (electric), vocals