It's All About (2024 Reissue, Proper Records, LP)

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This re-issue of the Spooky Tooth's debut album replicates the original 1968 Island Records UK release and is pressed onto heavyweight 180g vinyl. Formed from the group Art (vocalist Mike Harrison, guitarist Luther Grosvenor, bassist Greg Ridley and drummer Mike Kellie) who came to the attention of Chris Blackwell. He suggested adding American-in-London keyboard player Gary Wright and Spooky Tooth were born. Offering a heady brew of heavy blues and soul and being much loved by the underground in the late 60s, they are ripe for rediscovery. Recorded at Olympic and produced by Jimmy Miller, their debut album, It's All About today is like hearing a missing link: Powerful soul-tinged rock, suffused with an incredible sweetness, on their originals and judiciously selected covers. Released in June 1968. It contained a version of Bob Dylan's basement tape Too Much Of Nothing, a blistering take on the Nashville Teens Tobacco Road and, of the originals, the Jimmy Miller-Gary Wright co-write It's About A Roundabout could almost be northern soul with it's driving beat. It's All About is a lovely, often surprising, album to revisit.