Ben - 1971 - Ben

Ben

1971

Ben

01. The Influence
   a. The Wooing Of The Child
   b. The Innocence Of The Child
   c. The Interest Of The Youth
   d. The Involvement Of The Man
   e. The Realization
   f. The Wooing Of The Man
   g. The Conclusion
02. Gibbon
03. Christmas Execution
04. Gismo

Alex Macleery - Electric Piano, Harpsichord, Moog Synthesiser
David Sheen - Brums, Congas, Percussion, Vocals
Gerry Reid - Electric, Acoustic Guitars
Len Surtees - Bass
Peter Davey - Alto, Tenor, Baritone Saxophones, Flute, Clarinet

One of the rarest and most valuable records on the Vertigo swirl label is this lone S/T album by Ben. Their sound is a nice mix of jazz-rock and progressive rock and in my opinion they blend those two styles together really well. Just four songs on this LP but those are all pretty lengthy.

Here are lengthy multi-part suites, excellent musicianship and an overall very appealing early 70's, very jazzy progressive rock sound with lots of flute, sax, keyboards and guitar. But closer inspection of the material on the album reveals that you've been cheated. All of the four tracks are made up of tiresome extended jams and solos that are built around themes and melodies.

‘Ben’ was the band’s only release on the progressive Vertigo ‘spiral’ label in 1971. It is packed with ambitious instrumental arrangements of inspired jazz-rock, performed by a talented five that represented the best of the Canterbury scene, the movement that flourished in the early 1970s.

To me, one of the best and most original examples of early '70ies jazz rock... dressed with a somewhat hilarious and ironic spirit.