Brian Auger's Oblivion Express - Reinforcements LP [Strut]

Format: LP in printed sleeve.
CAT: SBM022LP

Strut Records presents a new reissue of Brian Auger’s Oblivion Express’s original 1975 album Reinforcements.

A gem from the latter years of Oblivion Express, Reinforcements showcases Auger evolving from his early seventies jazz-rock fusions into a more refined jazz-funk sophistication, continuing the path begun with Straight Ahead the previous year. With two ex-Oblivion Express drummers joining the Average White Band, comparisons are inevitable, as several tracks lean towards groove-led arrangements and the polished production characteristic of the mid-seventies.

Never one to follow a predictable path, Brian Auger constructs a solid, elegant album here that captures the changing sound of the era and offers a rich snapshot of British soul and jazz-funk from the mid-seventies. A fan favorite, the record also marks the return of vocalist Alex Ligertwood (later of Santana), whose soulful performance is one of the most memorable highlights of many Oblivion Express recordings.

He is joined by Jack Mills (guitar), Lennox Langton (percussion), Dave Dowle (drums), and newcomer Clive Chaman (bass and flute), in a sort of family project where even several of his children participated in the cover photo shoot, with the entire cast sporting an impeccable collection of mid-seventies-appropriate tank tops.

Album highlights include the intense instrumental funk jam “Brain Damage,” a dynamic display of Auger’s keyboard virtuosity, along with the fiery Latin jazz exercise “Something Out of Nothing,” and the closing track “Future Pilot,” which invites us to leave behind present difficulties to “fly through the skies to a new destination.”

“Big Yin” serves as a heartfelt tribute to former drummer Robbie McIntosh following his premature death.

As with all Auger albums, the energy here is entirely positive and soulful. A phrase included on the back cover perfectly summarizes the spirit of the record:

“May the love you bring to this world be reflected back upon you.”

This new Strut reissue of Reinforcements was curated by Greg Boraman of Impressive Collective in collaboration with Brian and Karma Auger. The audio was fully remastered from the original tapes by Bill Smith of United Archiving and is presented as a high-quality replica edition on a single LP.