Following stints with Jethro Tull and Blodwyn Pig lead guitarist/vocalist Mick Abrahams formed The Mick Abrahams Band with organist/pianist/second guitarist/vocalist Bob Sargeant and drummer Ritchie Dharma.

The group released two albums between May 1971 and May 1972. Cherry Red Records has compiled both LPs in a new two disc set issued on their Esoteric Recordings imprint.

The May 1971 debut album ‘Mick Abrahams’ has confusingly been credited to The Mick Abrahams Band and Mick Abrahams solely. Adding to the confusion the album cover shows Abrahams leaning on a wall with a poster advertising “A Musical Evening With The Mick Abrahams Band.” The album marks a move away from the jazz fusion of Blodwyn Pig toward a bluesy progressive rock sound with Abrahams’ guitar and Bob Sargeant’s keyboards dominant. The LP opens with “Greyhound Bus” an aggressive progressive rocker with Sargeant’s organ bringing Rod Argent to mind and Abrahams offering a bluesy solo. “Awake” has a blues riff from Abrahams, Sergeant and Monaghan and Dharma keeping time. Abrahams adds a space rock solo and vocals reminiscent of Uriah Heep. “Winds Of Change” combines gentle seven string acoustic slide guitar, vocal harmonies and Abrahams’ loping electric guitar. “Why Do You Do Me This Way” blends saxophone, guitar and a heavy bass line with bluesy, deep throated vocals as Abrahams solos freely before Lancaster’s sax joins to play the tune out. “Big Queen” melds blues and prog rock showcasing Sargeant’s organ and Abrahams’ guitar along with vocal harmonies. “Not To Rearrange” shifts to country rock with Abrahams contributing pedal steel and plaintive vocals a la Poco. The fifteen minute tour de force compilation title track is a multi-faceted tune featuring tempo changes, with echoplex and wah wah aided guitar from Abrahams who adds a snarling, extended solo and Dharma riding his hi hats ,while Sargeant’s majestic Hammond organ adds texture and color to the brilliant album closer.

May 1972’s ‘At Last,’ credited to The Mick Abrahams Band, found Blodwyn Pig member Jack Lancaster joining the band adding saxophone, flute and clarinet to the instrumentation and jazz influence to the band’s sound. “When I Get Back” is a jazz fusion tune with Lancaster’s saxophone and Abrahams’ boogie guitar to the fore. “About Friends” is a driving rocker with saxophone and brass adding an early Chicago vibe. “Time Now To Decide” shifts to country rock with Abrahams contributing pedal steel guitar and Monaghan a booming bass line. The band moves to jazz fusion on “Whole Wide World” with horn blasts joining riffing guitar and organ before Abrahams’s guitar takes center stage. “Maybe Because” has an Allman Brothers style guitar and organ intro with horn accents, Dharma’s cowbell aided drum solo followed by Abrahams’ guitar building the riff leading to a Santanesque solo with Lancaster’s sax and clarinet again adding an early Chicago feel before interludes by Sargeant and Abrahams on organ and guitar play the song out. “The Good Old Days” is a gentle, emotional, atmospheric change of pace restrained piano and guitar led number. “Up And Down” again brings The Allman Brothers to mind, the melodic, driving rocker combining Abrahams’ guitar with Sargeant’s organ, conjuring visions of Dickie Betts and Greg Allman. “You’ll Never Get It From Me” is a slide guitar driven tune with a Mott The Hoople vibe and Lancaster’s horns helping play the song, album and compilation to a close.
‘Seasons: The Recordings 1971-1972’ comes in a two fold digipak. The full color sixteen page booklet has full track credits, album artwork and an essay by Steve Pilkington. The set sounds wonderful thanks to the remastering job of Ben Wiseman and will appeal to fans of 1970’s rock, progressive rock and jazz fusion alike.

Kevin Rathert

Mick Abrahams – ‘Seasons: The Recordings 1971-1972’ (Esoteric Recordings 2026)