Ricotti & Albuquerque - First Wind 1971

From the back liner notes I will quote verbatim:
When a new band appears on the scene, the same old question always arises.
Are they really new?
Do they have a new sound?
For once the answer is a definite YES
The line-up is as follows.
Frank Ricotti, whose style and musical ability voted him the No 1 vibes player in Britain, doubles occasionally on alto and percussion.
Michael Albuquerque, who wrote most of the material for this album uses his distinctive voice and relaxed country-style guitar to give this band a fantastic edge.
John Taylor who was responsible for a lot of the very good arrangements performs on electric piano with a high degree of subtlety and skill.
Chris Lawrence plays bass just like it ought to be, both electric and acoustic string.
Trevor Thomkins' flawless drumming holds together an awful lot of very good sounds.
Sounds you ought to hear.
Special thanks to Michael Keen and Henry Lowther for solos on Go out and get it and Give a damn.
Pegasus Records, London W.1

Additional credits:
Producer Stuart Taylor
Arrangement: Frank Ricotti, John Taylor, Robin Sylvester
Sleeve Design: Jane de Albuquerque

This album is always hugely in demand, an incomplete copy has been annoyingly circulating for quite some time, so here is the complete album. With regards to the missing songs, I would note that the best songs were left out of the inc version, esp. new york windy day and the last track, how to give a damn. So this is a nice surprise, since oftentimes the worst songs will have been left out. Of course, I am sure others will disagree, hate the pieces I mentioned, and wildly love other songs, such is musical taste. Note that M de Albuquerque made a fantastic solo album in 1973 called We may be cattle, etc. which is well worth seeking out.

Musically, I'd say this is all over the map, with some soul songs, a cover or 2(from J. Sebastian and James Taylor, of all people), some more progressive jazzy passages (the first track in particular), and some really nice tunes all with a strong soul-blues feel. Note that the songs tend to run into each other, but I chopped them up. In typical early seventies british style there is studio talking and noise between many of the tracks. For sure M. de A. is the strongest songwriter here, with the last 2 tracks on side a for me the standouts. Please enjoy this gem which really should be rereleased to cd-- I hope our friends agree.
Priority: 3.14...