Brian Auger’s Oblivion Express

A self taught pianist (from listening to classic jazz records), Auger has been active since the early 60’s as one of the go-to session keyboards (he played on the Yardbirds ‘For Your Love’), as a founder of Steampacket (with Rod Stewart, Long John Baldry, Julie Driscoll et al) and later for hits with Julie Driscoll (‘This Wheel’s On Fire’). This all led to him forming the Oblivion Express as a jazz/fusion outfit in 1970.
The band included drummers Robbie McIntosh and Steve Ferrone (who would later form Average White Band), as well as guitarist Jim Mullen.

As a side project, in 1971 Auger produced and appeared on Mogul Thrash's only album, Mogul Thrash. Two members of that band, Roger Ball and Malcolm Duncan, would go on to form the Average White Band.

So, to this collection. This is all 6 albums that the band recorded for RCA-Victor between 1970 and 1975, no extras but all 6 albums are packaged in a foldout CD sleeve and there is a really informative booklet included which has poster art and a pretty good description and history of the band.

As to the music itself. Brian Auger is one of those artists who both follow the fashions but also lead the charge. He has learnt from some of the best – Jimmy Smith, Jimmy McGriff, Miles Davis – but taken his music in very different directions.
They start off in a heavy Rock fusion style with huge organ sound, massive and pounding drums and music that is as close to a scripted jam as you can find, very much in the area later occupied by Mahavishnu Orchestra or Larry Colyell’s Return To Forever.
They moved on into a more inward looking sound with the second album, more folk/progressive and got a hit single with ‘Marai’s Wedding’.
The third album saw them finding their ‘sound’ and suddenly they are plating full on Jazz/funk fusion and this is where they really made their name known. Featuring vocalist Alex Ligterwood (who later joined Santana) they found their feet and showed that they were developing into the best dance & jazz combo around. During this period, Auger won ‘Best Keyboards’ awards in the jazz awards and the band grew a massive reputation, headlining over bands such as Journey and supporting Earth Wind & Fire.
The final album of this set has an incredibly strong sense of groove as well as definite AWB leanings.

A complete set of his recordings with one label and hardly an ‘average’ track across all six albums.