This enigmatic L.A. quartet?s name is about as accurate as calling The Sex Pistols ?Brit Pop.? Originally released on Polydor in 1970, their lone album is a brilliant mix of West Coast-styled acid guitar rock and harmonic folk that gels form the opening notes of ?Apart of Me? that sounds like Mike Nesmith joined CSNY and brought America along to jam. ?Really My Friend? is beaming full of gorgeous Byrdsian harmonies, lead guitarist/album composer Adam Taylor?s searing guitar solos and Vern Johnson?s powerful drum fills. The spirit of Mike Nesmith returns with his First National Band on ?For Me? and the boys do manage to live up to their name on Side One closer, ?Poor Boy? (not the Nick Drake song), which features lengthy duelling solos between Taylor and pianist/co-composer, Harold Parris.

Years of gigging (Gisari?s on Sunset Strip, Vermont ski clubs, Cambridge/Boston University scene) have honed the band?s musical chops, which are put to the full test on the blazing jam neatly tucked inside ?When I?m Without You.? The band?s tender side is amply demonstrated on the soft ballad, ?If I Find A Way (Song of Love).? With all eyes focused on the amazingly fertile LA country rock scene of CSNY, The Byrds, The Burritos, Poco, The Eagles, et. al., Country Funk unfortunately fell through the cracks, but thanks to another marvellous unearthing from Fallout, here?s your chance to discover one of the unsung country-flavored rock gems of the early 70?s. 9/10 -- Jeff Penczak (18 June, 2008)