Affinity - Affinity (1970)

Affinity - Affinity (1970)

Album: Affinity - Affinity
Released: 1970 (2000)
Styles: Prog-, Jazz-Rock
Group Biography: AMG
Akarma AK 112

Well known Vertigo release (at least in progressive circles) of early 70's Hammond-dominated progressive with some jazz-influences. The band had an excellent female singer in Linda Hoyle. The material on the album is quite strong all the way through. "I Am and So Are You" and "Three Sister" do both use horns to good effect. "Mr. Joy" is a relaxed and excellent jazzy track, while "Night Flight" is a more typical early 70's progressive rock track. There are two excellent cover versions here too. You would may not expect much from a cover of The Everly Brother's "I Wonder If I Care As Much", but its sounds awesome with a incredible symphonic and great arrangement. And their 11-minute version of "All Along the Watchtower" is a irresistible Hammond-orgy you must hear to believe. Definitively one of the classic Vertigo releases. - Progressive Rock A

Fronted by vocalist Linda Hoyle, supported by guitarist Mike Jupp, bassist Mo Foster, organist Lynton Naiff and drummer Grant Serpell, Affinity were one of several UK prog/jazz-rock groups signed up by the influential Vertigo Records. But altough the band's seven track debut was well received by the critics it didn't dissuade the group from splitting up soon after its release in 1970. Linda Hoyle continued to record for Vertigo, releasing the LP "Pieces of Me" in 1971, on which she was backed by Chris Spedding and Soft Machine members John Marshall and Karl Jenkins. The LP was a much more varied one than Affinity's, ranging from ballads to hard rock, and it was commercial success. Drummer Grant Serpell went on join Sailor, organist Lynton Naiff gigged with Toe Fat, the band led by ex Rebel Rouser Cliff Bennett. - New Gibraltar Encyclopedia Of Progressive Rock

Affinity was a short-lived band that released one album and one single in 1970 and then spilt up. They were a highly regarded band and looked upon with much promise as the one of the new wave of jazz-rock fusion artists. With an effective blend of folk, jazz, soul, blues, and rudiments of modern-day psychedelia and progressive rock, it simply was not fair to put them into any one classification of music. With the powerful vocals of Linda Hoyle leading the way, it looked as though the band had quite a future ahead of them. It was not in the cards unfortunately. What they left for us was a superb achievement by any musical standards, and that includes the most important factors such as sound, production, and musicianship...
This is very progressive music for its day; in fact, logic dictates that it was more than likely considered a little on the extreme side in 1970. I cannot help but think how this group would have evolved if they had stayed together for a few more albums. - PROGRESSIVEWORLD.NET: MUZIKMAN REVIEWZ

Like many bands riding on the crest of the jazz-rock wave in the early '70s, AFFINITY released one album and were just getting their footing when they decided to split up, despite the album being well received by the critics. They were fronted by Lynda Hoyle, a powerful vocalist who sounds like a cross between Carol King and Julie Driscoll. The other band members were Mo Foster (bass), Mike Jupp (electric and 12-string guitars), Lynton Naiff (keyboards) and Grant Serpell (drums and percussion). Basically, their music is an eclectic mixture of a blues-rock with jazz, pop and folk influences as well as some rudiments of early '70s psychedelia. Their sound is very brassy and the Hammond organ omnipresent, the overall product sounding very progressive for its day.
Issued in 1970, their only official (self-titled) album shows much variety as well as plenty of soloing. As the excellent sound, musicianship and production will attest, it is a superb achievement for the times. Their material has since been reissued on different cd's, some featuring studio demos and full-band rehearsals. One of them is made up entirely of live instrumentals, recorded at a time when vocalist Linda Hoyle was temporarily hospitalized for a vocal chord operation, leaving the rest of the band on their own.
Recommended for collectors of late '60s/early '70s blues-tinged prog. - Prog Archives.com

Linda Hoyle - Vocal
Lynton Naiff - Organ
Mike Jopp - Guitar
Mo Foster - Bass
Grant Serpell - Drums

Tracklist:

1. I Am And So Are You - 3:31
2. Night Flight - 7:15
3. I Wonder If I Care As Much - 3:20
4. Mr. Joy - 5:02
5. Three Sisters - 4:57
6. Cocoanut Grove - 2:35
7. All Along The Watchtower - 11:36

Bonus Tracks:
8. Eli's Coming - 3:26
9. United States Of Mind - 2:44