SPECTRUM:
BreathingSpaceAsWell
Catalogue Number: VR005
Barcode: 9336043000983
Release Date: 05/09/2011
Tracklisting:
1. Soul Man
2. Limbo Man
3. Brunswick St
4. Right Into You
5. Jenwah
6. Don’t Hurt No More
The third in Spectrum’s Breathing Space series of EPs follows the same unpredictable and slightly incoherent path that characterises the two previous Breathing Space outings, for which Mike Rudd, (who wrote most of the songs), offers no apologies. What he is sorry about is that As Well wasn’t out a lot sooner – he says the original intention was to whisk four EPs out in quick succession and it’s been a good two years since Breathing Space Too was released.
Ian McCausland, who famously designed the sleeve for Spectrum’s significant ‘70s double album, Milesago, is again responsible for the cover artwork and has devised a third subtle variation on his clever Breathing Space theme.
Soul Man is the opening track on the EP and the legendary Max Merritt appears on the song that Mike Rudd wrote as a tribute to him. Alongside Max is his Meteors’ cohort, tenor saxophonist Jimmie Sloggett, who performs on the classic soul horn arrangement that he wrote and recorded at his son Matt’s studio.
Jimmie’s sax also appears on the second track, Limbo Man, a collaboration between Mike and Spectrum keyboardist, Daryl Roberts.
Sam McNally (Stylus) plays keyboards on the atmospheric instrumental, Brunswick St. Hammond-meister Tim Neal and former Ariel guitarist and good buddy, Tim Gaze, feature on a rare Rudd love ballad, Right Into You
Mike’s musical mate for the last 42 years, (!) Bill Putt, wrote the lilting instrumental, Jenwah, and the last track, Don’t Hurt No More, was only re-discovered recently and is from Ariel’s first ever performance at the Camberwell Civic Centre with Billy Thorpe and Daddy Cool way back in 1973