If - If 2 (Island 1970) 24-bit/96kHz Vinyl Rip

If was Great Britain's contribution to the jazz-rock movement begun and popularized in the late '60s/early '70s by Blood, Sweat & Tears and Chicago. Formed in 1969 by Melody Maker jazz poll winners Dave Quincy, Dick Morrissey, and Terry Smith, the band never found popular success in the United States. However, If produced several albums noteworthy for placing jazz players in a pop/rock band context and producing a true fusion of the two genres without diluting the players' improvisational skills. Unlike most of their horn-band contemporaries, If had no brass players in the band, relying solely on the saxophones of Dick Morrissey and the flute and saxophones of Dave Quincy. But what really gave If its unique sound were the vocals of J.W. Hodgkinson and the guitar of Terry Smith. Hodgkinson's vocal timbre was unusual – smooth, flexible, and strong in the high end, sounding like no other vocalist. Smith's trebly guitar sound was also unique, combining a rocker's use of sustain with the jazz fluency of Wes Montgomery and Django Reinhardt. The original incarnation of If produced five excellent albums between 1970 and 1972, but these albums failed to find an audience.

The second If album came out within the same year as the first, and continues in the same distinctive jazz-rock vein the band worked on its debut. The playing is excellent, with the sax and flute work of Dave Quincy and Dick Morrissey carrying the group's sound to a level unmatched by other, better known contemporaries like Chicago and Blood, Sweat & Tears. J. W. Hodkinson's unique vocals continue to sail through the music, while Terry Smith employs a deeper, grittier guitar tone than he used on the first LP. The material here is not as interesting as on the earlier release, but the soloists have plenty of space to stretch out and strut their stuff over John Mealing's organ/electric piano bed of chord changes. Jim Richardson lays down some inventive basslines and drummer Dennis Elliott keeps the band on track through various rhythmic twists and turns. Jim Newsom AMG.

Track listing:

A1. Your City Is Falling

A2. Sunday Sad

A3. Tarmac T. Pirate And The Lonesome Nymphoniac

B1. I Couldn't Write And Tell You

B2. Shadows And Echos

B3. A Song For Elsa, Three Days Before Her 25th Birthday

John Mealing: Organ, Electric Piano, background vocals, arrangements
Terry Smith: guitar
Jim Richardson: bass
Dennis Elliot: drums
Dick Morrissey: Tenor Sax, Soprano Sax, Flute, arrangements
J. W. Hodkinson: vocals, percussion
Dave Quincy: Tenor Sax, Alto Sax, Flute, arrangements
Producer: Lew Futterman
Recorded at The Hit Factory, New York and Island Studios, London.