Merlin-Merlin-Vinylrip-320-Abrasax torrent

Merlin / Merlin

Released 1974
UK Vinyl : CBS 80338

Musicians :
Alan Love - Vocals
Jamie Moses - Lead Guitar, Vocals
Bob (Scully) Webb - Keyboards, Guitar, Vocals
Dave Whitwhick - Drums, Vocals
Paul Taylor - Bass

Produced by Roger Greenaway

Side A :
01.Space Raider
02.Takin' Part
03.Gettin' Involved
04.Gypsy
05.He Thinks About You All The Time

Side B :
06Look At Life
07.Marina
08.Sweet Sweet Cheetin' Rita
09.Alright
10.(Let Me) Put My Spell On You
11.Wild Cat

Definitely not to be confused with the later funk outfit of the same name, Merlin produced a mixed album of progressive and glam sounds. Even the sleeve pictures reflect the schizophrenia; on the front they are laughing in red and white stage uniforms, decorations round their necks and covered in flashes and the letter "M", on the reverse they are more moody, clad in denim on fog-bound stone steps. The album itself displays progressive touches both lyrically and musically on the first three tracks, particularly Taking Part and Gettin' Involved. From track four onwards the album is a more straight-forward rocking affair, sounding a little like Sweet in places especially on (by coincidence) Sweet Sweet Cheatin' Rita. This is one of the two songs on the album jointly written by Roger Greenaway, who also produced. Elsewhere the songs are mainly band compositions. It's only a guess, but one gets the impression of the band coming from a prog direction, getting a record deal, and going all out for a hit with Cook and Greenaway production values.