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This superb collection of jazztinged psychedelic rock originally appeared in 1970. Boasting the vocal and drumming talents of Jim Hodder (later to join Steely Dan) and guitarist John Sheldon (who'd played with Van Morrison and went on to write for James Taylor), the album is consistently melodic, featuring outstanding musical interplay and glorious guitar solos. Released here complete with three rare bonus tracks and historical liner notes, it's an essential purchase for all fans of US prog and psych rock.

My introduction to Cambridge, MA?s Bead Game came via their King Crimsonesque contribution to ?The People Next Door? soundtrack, ?Sweet Medusa? (written by the legendary songwriting team of Scott English and Larry Weiss, who were also responsible for such songs you know and love as American Breed?s ?Bend Me Shape Me,? The Attack and Jeff Beck?s ?Hi Ho Silver Lining,? Glen Campbell?s ?Rhinestone Cowboy? and Barry Manilow?s ?Mandy,? originally recorded by English as ?Brandy?). That track, along with it?s reprise, ?Echoes of Sweet Medusa? and the grooving instrumental, ?My Life In Review? are included here as bonus tracks. The band?s debut ?demo album? was cut in 1969, a year before Avco Embassy released this one, but didn?t see the light of day until 1996, when it was released by American Sound under the title ?Baptism.? The band?s lone album released during their lifetime was engineered by Tony Bongiovi at his new Power Station studio in New York City and was produced by their A&R contact, Gary Katz (aka Kannon), who would later hook drummer/vocalist Jim Hodder up with Donald Fagen and Walter Becker, whereupon Hodder recorded three Katz-produced albums, including ?Can?t Buy A Thrill? and ?Countdown To Ecstasy? as the original drummer in Steely Dan. John Sheldon was already recognized as a shit-hot guitarist (at 17, he was hired as Van Morrison?s lead guitarist) and he later wrote ?September Grass,? which his childhood buddy, James Taylor included on his ?October Road? album.

In an interview on Taylor?s website, Sheldon notes that he album ?would do really well now,? so thanks to the folks at Fallout, you have the opportunity to decide for yourself. It should be noted, however, that the album was written predominantly by rhythm guitarist Kenny Westland Hogg, so fans in my situation who only know the band by the soundtrack recording, should not come expecting more psychedelic prog floaters. On ?Welcome,? Bead Game is more of a jazzy rock ensemble that benefits greatly from Sheldon?s fluid guitar solos interwoven around keyboardist, Bobby Gass? swirling organ fills. Opener, ?Punchin Judy? and the elaborate, multilayered ?Wax Circus? are perfect harbinger of things to come (and foreshadow some of their progressive tendencies), with their hypnotic organ and searing guitar solos.

Phased harmonies a la Tommy James & The Shondell?s ?I Am A Tangerine? add a touch of psychedelia to the tender ballad, ?Lady,? with Gass? harpsichord creating a pretty, baroque atmosphere, while the sweet country melody and harpsichord backing on ?Country Girls? raises it to one of the album?s highlights. (It was also released as the flip side of the ?Sweet Medusa? single.) Finally, the band?s psychedelic prowess is evident on the sleepy, epic, 8? minute closer, ?Slipping,? which even name checks Strawberry Fields!

Recommended to fans of jazzy prog with slight psych and country flourishes, as well as anyone interested in tracking down Steely Dan?s family tree, as well as the broadminded Crimhead, particularly to finally have Bead Game?s finest moment, ?Sweet Medusa? on CD for the first time. With Sheldon?s soaring guitar solo and Hodder?s spot-on Greg Lake vocals, it may just be as perfect a rewrite of ?In The Court of The Crimson King? as you are ever likely to hear. [Jeff Penczak]

01. Punchin Judy
02. Lady
03. Wax Circus
04. Mora
05. Natural Song
06. Country Girls
07. Amos & Andy
08. Slipping
09. Sweet Medusa
10. Echoes of Sweet Medusa
11. My Life in Review