Quatermass – Quatermass 1970 (UK, Heavy Progressive Rock)
The short-lived but highly influential progressive rock project Quatermass was formed in September 1969. The band consisted of just three members, none of whom played guitar. Drummer Mick Underwood had started out in Episode Six, along with future Deep Purple members Ian Gillan and Roger Glover. Vocalist and bassist John Gustafson was a former member of the Big Three, and keyboardist Peter Robinson preferred session work. In December 1969, Quatermass played their first gigs at London's legendary Marquee club, and early the following year, the musicians entered Abbey Road Studios to record their first and, as it turned out, last album. By May 1970, Quatermass, released by Harvest Records, was hitting record stores. Following the album's release, Quatermass toured extensively. In the summer of 1970, they toured Europe and also participated in the National Jazz and Blues Festival in Plumpton. At the end of the year, the trio embarked on a six-week tour of the United States. There, they played alongside Gentle Giant, Black Sabbath, Savoy Brown, Earth, Wind and Fire, the Kinks, Love, the Butterfield Blues Band, and other notable acts. In early 1971, Quatermass returned to the studio, planning to record a second album with producer Chris Thomas. However, work was interrupted by Robinson's illness and remained unfinished. Only two tracks, "Once Blind Mice" and "Punting," remained from these sessions, later released as singles. No further full-length albums were released, as Quatermass disbanded in April 1971. Ritchie Blackmore's departure from Deep Purple is linked to this band, or more precisely, to the song "Black Sheep of the Family," a cover of which he wanted to include on Stormbringer, but the band didn't support it. This was the last straw—and Blackmore created Rainbow.
Tracks:
01. Entropy - 0:00
02. Black Sheep Of The Family - 1:12
03. Post War Saturday Echo - 4:53
04. Good Lord Knows - 14:40
05. Up On The Ground - 17:35
06. Gemini - 24:48
07. Make Up Your Mind - 30:47
08. Laughin' Tackle - 39:34
09. Entropy (Reprise) - 50:11
Bonuses:
10. One Blind Mice - 50:56
11. Punting - 54:18
Personnel:
Pete Robinson - keyboards John Gustafson - vocals, bass Mick Underwood – drums
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