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2LP
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SHAD 190LP
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Shadoks Music present a reissue of Rainbow Band's self-titled album, released twice, in 1970 and again in 1971. Both distinct releases are included in this reissue. Denmark's Rainbow Band was formed in late 1969 as a super-group consisting of Peer Frost (ex-Young Flowers), Lars Bisgaard (ex-Maxwells), Carsten Smedegaard (ex-Beefeaters), Bent Hesselmann, and the former jazz players Niels Brønsted and Bo Stief. They played jazz-influenced progressive rock in the style of Burnin Red Ivanhoe and Traffic's self-titled second album (1968). Their rhythm section produced a powerful '60s beat, forcing Peer Frost to squeeze out some of his best guitar solos. The singer Lars Bisgaard was replaced by Allan Mortensen (ex-Tears) at the end of 1970. A Canadian group was already using the name Rainbow Band, which forced the Danish group to change their name into Midnight Sun in July 1971. Melody Maker editor Richard Williams wrote about the album in 1971, shortly after its initial release: "the first time I heard this album, I was immediately seduced by its sense of freshness and space. The styles of playing are superficially little different from those of their brothers in Britain and America, but I find the atmosphere of this music wholly more relaxed and open." The first version of the album, with vocalist Lars Bisgaard, was released in December 1970. The second version, replacing the original Bisgaard version with vocalist Allan Mortensen, came out in mid-February 1971. The third version of this album (same music but new name) came out as Midnight Sun's 1971 self-titled release (AU 5030CD) with a new cover made by "Roger Dean". Beside the new vocals on both Rainbow Band versions, they differ in the songs as well. One song on the first version does not appear on the second version, and two songs on the second version do not appear on the first version. Perhaps one of the best Danish production in the 1970s, produced by Freddy Hansson and Rainbow Band; Musically, it's so fine that it certainly ranks among the five best Danish '70s albums, easily. A fantastic album from beginning to the end - and both version are great. Comes in a heavy gatefold sleeve; Comes as 180 gram vinyl; Includes printed inner-sleeves, Japan protection sleeves a two-page insert with liner notes and many unseen photos; Edition of 600 (numbered).
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