*. CMU (Contemporary Music Unit) .* (Remaster)

Album: Open Spaces (1971)(Remaster 2008)
Genre: Prog Rock (Folk/Blues/Jazz)  /  UK

1st album by the excellent British Prog band CMU (Contemporary Music Unit), founded by drummer Roger Odell and fronted by his wife Larraine Odell, a superb vocalist. The sextet also included bassist Ed Lee, guitarist Ian Hamlett, keyboardist Terry Mortimer and drummer James Gordon. They played a highly ambitious blend of Rock / Folk / Jazz, with sophisticated compositions and complex arrangements, and although mostly completely unheard of, were one of the most intriguing bands at the time. Strongly rooted in Jazz, the band members were all excellent instrumentalists and the female lead vocals set them apart from most of their contemporaries. They were sometimes compared to the band Affinity, which was also fronted by a wonderful female singer Linda Hoyle and had a similar Jazz background. Unfortunately this original lineup of the group fell apart shortly after this album was released, to reformed later on and record one more album. This little known gem is a must to any serious Prog and early British Jazz-Rock enthusiast. Review by "Jazzis" (Rate Your Music).

RATING:  7.75 / 10

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