Skin Alley
F. N. Noone | Cape Town South Africa | 01/10/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Skin Alley - Jazz Crosstalk
Somewhere between the jazz shimmers of Colosseum, Skin Alley launched their ethereal 1970 debut "Tell Me"/"Better Be Blind". Skin Alley's self titled album produced by Pretty Thing Dick Taylor spewed out a gutsy conglomeration of abstract conversation namely the aural "All Alone" with sweaty workouts from the organic sax of Bob James and Juskiewicz' growling hammond. The exquisite vox on "Tell Me" feeds the ambient tones that Skin Alley could conjure out of the jazz skirmish. The entire strength of this group would amount to nothing if it were not for the astounding rhythms of drummer Giles `Alvin' Pope. The jazzy cross talking instrumental "Marsha" and 27 min "Concerto Grosso" (Take heed) froth in a pot similar to Miles Davis' Bitches Brew. Skin Alley most likely first came to prominence through one of the debut album tracks "Living In Sin" which was included on the 1970 budget CBS double compilation, Fill Your Head With Rock , cover had Jerry Goodman of The Flock in full viola attack. The group were closer to abstract jazz, highlighted by ex Helpless Bob James' outstanding flute/ sax and the perpetual bass of vocalist Thomas Crimble who would join Hawkwind that same year. Their follow up To Pagham And Beyond now received the talents of ex Grips / Atomic Rooster bassist Nick Graham fresh from Rooster's debut with Carl Palmer. The year 1970 also gave way to a further changes with ex Chessmen / Bronx Cheer drummer Tony Knight replacing Alvin Pope. Skin Alley pushed out a raunchy version of Graham Bond's "Walking In The Park" and the Crimble penned "Sweaty Betty", stunningly savaged by Graham's vox. Bob James blows to stargazing oblivion around one of England's most ignored organ players Krysztof-Henryk Juskiewicz as they travel through the medieval "Country Aire" and "Night Time". The group then signed a deal with `Transatlantic' yielding the marvellous Two Quid Deal, boosted by the flute riddled "So Many People". The cheese biting `Micky Mouse' cover had a dimension, exhilarating in every respect if we wade through the unforgettable "Graveyard Shuffle"or flute fearless "A Final Coat". Skin Alley went further into the singles market attempting "You Got Me Dangling"/"Skin Alley Serenade" in 1972 followed by Wilson Pickett's " In The Midnight Hour"/ "Broken Eggs" in celebration of their new `Stax' marriage. Nick's underrated bass and Bob James' swiveling flute reach superb trade off on the opus "Skin Valley Serenade", a jazzy fusion in the realm of Tim Weisberg. The final Skin Tight closed their story in 1973 with Nick Graham forming Alibi and later The Humans. Skin Alley were invited to play at the legendary Norwegian `Ragnarock Festival' in 1974."
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1
