Time Machine: Vertigo Retrospective

The Vertigo Records label emerged at a time when rock was shaking off the "Sgt. Pepper" mindtrip of psychedelia to concentrate on heavy metal, progressive rock and fusion jazz. From 1969 to 1974, Vertigo's varied and truly experimental roster included Black Sabbath, The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, Vangelis (and Aphrodite's Child, the group Vangelis was in prior to going it as a solo artist), Gentle Giant and Status Quo. Those were the big names. But the label was also home to genuinely obscure acts who only ever recorded 1 or 2 albums for the label: Freedom, Tudor Lodge, Affinity, Atlantis, Cressida, Ramases. Each Vertigo album of the era boasted the distinctive "swirl" logo that occupied the A-side of every album label (the B-side contained song listings and timings). Also, every album boasted impressive artwork that sometimes spilled over into elaborate die cut designs or as two-panel gatefold artwork. TIME MACHINE is a veritable capsule of the era. A three CD set which boasts crisp, clear and clean remastered sound, a lovingly crafted and highly detailed 48 page booklet and a veritable bounty of music from a wide variety of instant appeal to seventies rock fans (ie. those who can tell the difference between Gentle Giant and Status Quo). The tracks that inspire the most awe are "Spiral Architect" from Sabbath (you can hear strummed acoustic guitars and passionate string sections at work while Ozzy turns in a lucid and heartfelt vocal!), "The Kettle" from Colosseum (a surprisingly heavy mix of hard rock and fusion progressive jazz), "Lord Of The Ages" by Magna Carta (which is recommended to each and every Moody Blues fan in existence) and "Midnight Moses" by SAHB (are you an AC/DC fan? Check out Alex Harvey's early Sensational Band sides, you won't be disappointed). Some of the songs are, admittedly, a little challenging (ie. selections from Gracious!, Manfred Mann's Chapter Three and Bob Downes). Yet at the end of it all, you'll feel a certain sense of awe at the music of an era that too often, has been denigrated or ridiculed as being "heavy hippie horsesh*t"). A vital collection that rightfully takes its place next to other classic compilations like "Nuggets", "Atlantic Gold" or "Freakbeat Scene".

Ah, the decidedly British Vertigo label, with the distinct black and white swirl on one label of the LP, and the track listings on the other side's label. Something we've lost in the one-sided CD age. And was also lost when their acts wound up recording for other labels here in the US.Their paper label wasn't their only distinction; as the "experimental" subsidiary of Philips records, they also intentionally brought us delicious non-commercial music. Unintentionally failing to sell zillions of records in the process. They were hugely responsible for the promotion of progressive jazz a la Ian Carr's Nucleus, Ben, Jade Warrior and (yes) Manfred Mann. The MM boys weigh in with a dark Coltrane-esque "Travelling Lady" (see review of Manfred Mann Chaper III). They brought us marvellous adventurous rock a la Gracious, Doctor Z, Juicy Lucy, May Blitz and Clear Blue Sky. And a stand-up version of "MacArthur Park" by Beggar's Opera, turning this pop classic into something the progressive age could absorb. And, as you see, they brought Rod Stewart to us as a solo act with the splendid "Handbags and Gladrags," written by a young Mike D'Abo with a maturity that made the song an instant standard.As with all comps, there are a few things on here I can't quite see, for example, I think a better tune by Patto (successor band to the great great Timebox) could have been chosen. But all in all this is very nice, even if you might have to listen a couple of times to really get into it. A deserved celebration of a seminal label of the period.

Esta recopilación, tan esperada por lo cierto, mereció algún mejor trabajo. ¿En qué?, pues estos son algunos de mis puntos:-Soy partidario de la recopilaciones de 4 cds. Además hay que saber que Vertigo tiene suficiente material para hacerlo.-La presentación es muy tacaña, creo que bien pudiero hacer una caja más grande con fotografías de un tamaño adecuado. La verdad es que resulta una burla leer en el texto en letras tan pequeñas, en un librillo igual de chico y con fotografías de los álbumes que no superan los 2cm cuadrados. ¿Qué pasó?, ¿falta papel? Es una desconsideración teniendo en cuenta los hermosos trabajos en las carátulas de los grupos del sello, así como las fotografías que las bandas tienen, incluso los pósters (compare esta presentación con Harvest Festival, es otra cosa).-La selección de los grupos estuvo bien, aunque a mi parecer debieron aparecer otras bandas como Daddy Longless, Fairfield Parlour, John Dummer, Odin, Assagai, Krafwerk, Mike Absalon y un largo etc. que bien merecía un cd extra.Sin embargo, la recopilación se deja escuchar muy bien y la grabación es muy buena. Esperaba encontrar algunas rarezas, piezas en vivo, o incluso más temas folk (por ejemplo a Jim McCarthy). A pesar de estos apuntes, recomiendo esta recopilación para todos aquellos que aún escuchan música hard, progresiva o de alta calidad.