Brian Auger's Oblivion Express, Closer To It  
Brian Auger's Oblivion Express
Closer To It
GBR 1xLP 
Label: Soul Bank Music
Reissue
Release Year: 2024
Style: Funk & Soul
 
  Brian Auger formed The Oblivion Express in 1970 after the demise of his chart topping jazz & R&B combo Julie Driscoll, Brian Auger, and The Trinity. Deciding he would continue to defy creative expectations with his genre bending vision, Auger even based the groups name around this precarious anti-commercial approach; “I decided that I would like to push on and see whether I could develop that music" he recalls, "but maybe I’m headed the quickest way to oblivion!,”

Auger needn't have worried, the bands first slew of albums; the heavy, jazz rock influenced debut 'Oblivion Express,' 1971s laconic, folky 'A Better Land', the proto jazz funk of 'Straight Ahead' released in 1972, all made serious inroads into the United States, which proved to particularly fertile ground for the group.

By 1973, the London born Auger felt his various American influences of jazz, R&B, funk and soul had fermented into his own brand of fusion, and upon listening to the final mixes, was confident he was approaching his original musical mission, hence naming the album Closer To It.

It's predecessor, Straight Ahead had hit the US charts, and awoken RCA Records to the crossover potential of this somewhat undefinable music, who stepped up their game in regards the follow up, which broke out in the Tri State area, where it received major radio and press support and billboard advertising whilst the band were touring. All these factors combined favourably and resulted in Closer To It entering the Billboard Jazz, R&B and Rock charts simultaneously!

For a British multi-racial group composed of fans of African American music, this was both creatively and commercially satisfying. This acceptance of the Oblivion Express’ sound and style also led to the band touring with Herbie Hancock's Head-hunters and Earth Wind & Fire, and Brian receiving a US Congressional Certificate of Special Recognition for his ‘contribution to the American art form of Jazz’.

Regarded as his masterpiece, Closer To It features some of Augers' most inventive and beautiful Hammond Organ and Fender Rhodes playing, on tunes that become the defining tracks of his career, especially the anthemic opener Whenever You're Ready, co-written with bass player Barry Dean. Happiness Is Just Around The Bend was later covered by Cuba Gooding Snrs' band The Main Ingredient who had a major hit with their version. Auger also saluted his soul and jazz hero's with his versions of Marvin Gays Inner City Blues and Eddie Harris, Les McCann's classic Compared To What.

With an iconic cover featuring the Oblivion Express train logo designed by Auger's wife Ella. Closer To It remains a highpoint in Auger's recording career.
 
      Wish List  
  Price: CHF 27.00   Currently not on stock!
Please check back later or call us for more information:
+41 (0)43 322 02 04
 
  Releases of the same artist  
  Brian Auger's Oblivion Express, Inner City Blues / Voices  
Brian Auger's Oblivion Express
Inner City Blues / Voices
[Dynamic Cuts]
GBR 7inch  Wish List
CHF 20.00 Restocking!
 
  Brian Auger's Oblivion Express, Closer To It  
Brian Auger's Oblivion Express
Closer To It
[RCA]
USA 1xLP vg/vg Wish List
CHF 20.00 Restocking!
 
  Releases of the same label  
  Mark De Clive Lowe & Friends, Freedom - Celebrating The Music Of Pharoah Sanders  
Mark De Clive Lowe & Friends
Freedom - Celebrating The Music Of Pharoah Sanders
[Soul Bank Music]
GER 2xLP  Wish List
CHF 32.00 Add To Cart
 
A Thin Man
JT002
[Justracks]
Alfredo De La Fe
Alfredo
[Mr. Bongo]
Apollo Brown & Crimeapple
This, is Not That
[Mello Music Group]
Cindy Lee
Diamond Jubilee
[W25th]
DJ Rude One
Upper Space
[Closed Sessions]
Freestyle Fellowship x Awkward
LOST ADAT 98 Sessions
[Buenaventura]
Hermanos Gutierrez
El Bueno Y El Malo
[Concord Records]
Q Lazzarus
Goodbye Horses: the Many Lives of..
[Sacred Bones]
V/A
Ambientale
[Bureau B]
  1. Kendrick Lamar
GNX
 
  2. Lexx
Young Corner 2024
 
  3. Alfredo De La Fe
Alfredo
 
  4. Ali Omar
Hashish Hits
 
  5. Benny The Butcher & 38 Spesh
Stabbed & Shot 2
 
  6. Eddie Chacon
Lay Low
 
  7. Madvillain
Madvillainy Demos
 
  8. Nyron Higor
Nyron Higor
 
  9. Quasimoto
Yessir Whatever
 
  10. Tom Noble presents House of Spirits
House Of Spirits