Trapeze - Three First Albums 1970-1972 (3CD) Remastered Reissue 1994

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Trapeze - Three First Albums 1970-1972 (3CD) Remastered Reissue 1994

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Wolverhampton, England hard rock outfit Trapeze formed in 1968, teaming lead vocalist John Jones and guitarist/keyboardist Terry Rowley (both ex-members of the Montanas, famed for the hit "You've Got to Be Loved") with singer/guitarist Mel Galley, bassist Glenn Hughes, and drummer Dave Holland. Signing to the Moody Blues' Threshold Records imprint, Trapeze issued its self-titled debut album in 1970; Jones and Rowley returned to the Montanas soon after, and in 1970 the remaining trio resurfaced with Medusa. The group toured extensively both at home and abroad, and although their fusion of rock and funk was cited as a prime influence on bands like ZZ Top, their commercial success was minimal. In the wake of the third Trapeze album, 1972's You Are the Music…We're Just the Band, Hughes replaced Roger Glover in Deep Purple. Guitarist Rob Kendrick and bassist Pete Wright signed on for Trapeze's 1974 effort Hot Wire, followed a year later by a self-titled LP; in 1976, the core trio of Galley, Hughes, and Holland reunited, although no new recordings were forthcoming. Hughes again exited prior to 1978's Hold On, which featured Wright in addition to new guitarist Pete Goalby; Trapeze then disbanded, with Galley joining Whitesnake, while Holland tenured with Judas Priest. Galley, Hughes, and Holland re-formed once more in 1991, with a May 1992 London gig yielding the Welcome to the Real World live album.

Jason Ankeny, Allmusic.com

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Trapeze - Three First Albums 1970-1972 (3CD) Remastered Reissue 1994

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Trapeze - Three First Albums 1970-1972 (3CD) Remastered Reissue 1994

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Trapeze were the first act signed by the Moody Blues to their newly founded Threshold Records label, and remain the most substantial talent – along with Nicky James – ever to pass through that company's roster, apart from the Moodies themselves. Those listeners who only know the subsequent albums by Trapeze may be surprised by this debut effort, the sole recording left behind by the original five-piece version of the band. With Moody Blues bassist John Lodge producing a lineup that included ex-Montanas lead singer John Jones and guitarist/keyboardist Terry Rowley alongside singer/guitarist Mel Galley, bassist Glenn Hughes, and drummer Dave Holland, late of Finders Keepers, the sounds here don't closely resemble the hard-rocking work of the subsequent trio – there are lush choruses, psychedelic interludes, and hook-laden romantic ballads scattered throughout this record. Yet that trio, of Hughes, Galley, and Holland, is pumping out high-energy music within the context of psychedelic pop/rock throughout this album, which comes off as a much higher-wattage alternative to the Moody Blues. And in some respects, this album also closely resembles the better moments on those three early Deep Purple albums (the ones with Rod Evans on lead vocals), when they were essentially a hard rock outfit still playing pop/rock – the results aren't bad and, in fact, are quite catchy at times, but it's clear that three of these musicians are holding back to one degree or another in these surroundings. Galley's high-energy leads and power chords and Hughes' already larger-than-life bass are the dominant sounds about 60 percent of the time, overpowering much around them, with songs like the Galley/Jones-composed "Fairytale" and Hughes-authored "Am I" pointing the way to their future sound – and even on Rowley's rock ballad "Send Me No More Letters," Holland is playing drums about as hard as the music will permit. The core trio does find a good compromise with Rowley and Jones' more lyrical, psychedelic pop sensibilities, and Trapeze probably could have held this sound together longer than they did but for Jones' and Rowley's departures. But it's also clear that there was another band trying to break out from within the sound of this lineup, which happened later in the year when Trapeze were reduced to a trio.

Bruce Eder, Allmusic.com

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Trapeze - Three First Albums 1970-1972 (3CD) Remastered Reissue 1994

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Not only is Medusa the finest offering from '70s outfit Trapeze, it is one of the decade's most underappreciated hard rock recordings. With a lineup that consisted of future Deep Purple, Judas Priest, and Black Sabbath members, there seems to be proof that at least a few fellow musicians appreciated this 1971 offering. Fans of his later work might be surprised by Glenn Hughes' soulful vocal delivery, especially on the midtempo blues-rockers like "Black Cloud" and "Your Love Is Alright." Guitarist Mel Galley also deserves mention for his sparse approach to classic rock riffing that is catchy and affective. Even the ballads are focused, memorable, and unique. There are some melodic moments on the closing title track that sound almost as if a '90s alt-rock crooner composed them. Considering that Medusa predates many similar, and more successful, classic rock LPs from the likes of Bad Company, Nazareth, Foreigner, and others, it's a wonder that the record isn't mentioned more when influential albums of this era are discussed.

Jason Anderson, Allmusic.com

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Trapeze - Three First Albums 1970-1972 (3CD) Remastered Reissue 1994

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Though they were best known for a kind of muscular funk rock, the band Trapeze always had a jazzy element, and on You Are the Music, We're Just the Band it is the softer tunes that stand out. This isn't to say that there aren't some good rockers here, since the title tune and "Keepin' Time" are energetic and enjoyable. However it is on "Coast to Coast" and "What Is a Woman's Role" that the band really shines. This is partly because both are really good songs, partly because both benefit from some inspired sax and vibes work from guests Jimmy Hastings and Frank Ricotti. Vocalist Glenn Hughes takes the lead on most tracks, and is very effective as long as he stays in his low range; on the rock tracks he uses his higher register, which tends to have a squealing or screechy tone. Those who only know Hughes from his subsequent work with Deep Purple may be surprised to hear his warm, soulful work on this disc, which was his last with Trapeze.

Richard Foss, Allmusic.com