Graded on a Curve: Samuel Prody, Samuel Prody

As detailed within the booklet accompanying the Guerssen label’s new reissue of the only real LP by Samuel Prody, there’s an eventful backstory that precedes the formation of this obscure British band. Rather than recount all of it right here, it suffices to say that this four-piece outfit grew out of Giant, a gigging group that briefly featured Viv Prince of the Pretty Things on drums. The sturdiness of Samuel Prody’s materials makes this version, remastered and formally rereleased for the primary time, a worthwhile acquisition for onerous rock followers. The set is offered now on vinyl and compact disc.

Samuel Prody (altered from Samuel Purdy) featured Tony Savva (guitar, bass, lead vocals), John Boswell (drums, vocals), Derek “Morty” Smallcombe (lead guitar, vocals), and Stephen Day (bass, vocals). Once these cats got here collectively, they recorded an LP’s price of fabric that was launched eponymously solely in Germany in 1971, and unbeknownst to the band till a lot later, after the album had been reissued a number of occasions; originals have bought within the ballpark of $500.

Engineered by famous onerous rock specialist Roy Thomas Baker, the contents of Samuel Prody are, when the band will get right down to enterprise, legitimately heavy, and the instrumentation is persistently sharp. The band travels down a handful of psychedelic avenues within the file’s much less heavy moments, and to largely non-detrimental outcomes, however neither are they notably adept at getting expansive. But it needs to be added that each one seven tracks on this LP do discover the band kicking it into heavy gear, although in opener “Who Will Buy” it does take a short time.

Had they chosen to not swerve from (and lean into) the trail of heaviness, my assumption is that this LP can be held in even greater retrospective esteem. Sometimes in comparison with Black Sabbath, Samuel Prody’s sturdy swimsuit is extra precisely a tough edged boogie (see the manic “Scat’s Shuffle”). Importantly, they groove however by no means choogle. There are a number of spots paying homage to first album Sabbath, however it’s essential to differentiate that Samuel Prody don’t domesticate a darkish, downer vibe.

By the second tune “Woman” there’s a drum solo, however it’s concise and competently executed in a four-minute tune, illuminating that Samuel Prody have the onerous rock rudiments lined with out succumbing to extra. Indeed, “Scat’s Shuffle” barely breaks two minutes. “Time is All Mine” does unfold out a bit with similarities to Cream, however the concord vocals insinuate that had the band not referred to as it quits they could’ve whipped up a possible single or two.

The practically 9 minute nearer “Hallucination” apparently receives probably the most retrospective consideration, and there’s no denying it’s a great one which shifts by quite a few stylistic settings, however extra interesting are the back-to-back wailer-stompers “She’s Mine” and “Mr. Make Believe” that usher within the finale. It’s as much as the person to determine if an authentic copy of this album is price $500, however for ears choosing up what Samuel Prody is laying down, the value of Guerssen’s reissue is greater than honest.

GRADED ON A CURVE:
B+

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