CMU, also known as CONTEMPORARY MUSIC UNIT were an UK band active in the early 1970's. They were fusing various aspects of art-rock, jazz-rock and folk with a nod to the psychedelic rock. A unique (at the time) characteristic of the band was a combination of female and male vocals, making an interesting blend. The male vocalist was James Gordon (who was also participating with percussion in the band),the female vocalist being Larraine Odell (later of RED EXPRESS, still active in various jazz projects nowadays). Other members were keyboardist Terry Mortimer (who also played some violin), Ian Hamlett (guitar, flute), Ed Lee (bass) and Larraine's husband Roger Odell (on drums). The band released their debut 'Open Spaces' for Transatlantic in 1971. The record is an unpretentious mixture of psychedelia and blues, with some bizarre sonic patches here and there. They changed their line-up drastically for the following album: instead of Mortimer, Gordon and Lee, the band hired Richard Joseph on acoustic guitar (and vocals), Steve Cook on bass and Leary Hasson on keyboards (Hasson came from MARSUPILAMI, which was also on Transatlantic label). Reinforced with new members, and a moderate shift in their sound (the presence of Mellotron and spacey synthesizers), the band released their second (and last) album titled 'Space Cabaret' in 1973. This effort was much more elaborate, complex and original. By the 1975, the band was no more. Both Transatlantic vinyl were re-released on CD's. CMU are often compared to Arthur Brown and AFFINITY; but fans of CURVED AIR might also enjoy the music of CMU. Both albums are worth checking, especially the second. Less Members: Ed Lee (3), Ian Hamlett, James Gordon (3), Larraine Odell (2), Leary Hasson, Richard Joseph (2), Roger Odell, Steve Cook (2), Terry Mortimer
Tiger Bay – TB6485 Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Misprint, Reissue, 180gr Country: UK Released: Oct 25, 2019 Genre: Rock Style: Prog Rock, Psychedelic Rock A1 Henry Written-By – L. Odell*, R. Odell* 4:49 A2 Voodoo Man Written-By – L. Odell*, R. Odell* 4:41 A3 Slow And Lonesome Blues Written-By – Lee* 5:13 A4 Chantecleer Written-By – Lee*, Gordon*, L. Odell*, R. Odell* 6:18 B1 Japan Arranged By – CMU (2) Written-By – Sanders* 2:50 B2 Clown Written-By – Lee*, Gordon* 2:40 B3 Mystical Sounds Written-By – L. Odell*, R. Odell* 3:15 B4 Open Spaces Written-By – Lee*, Mortimer* 11:55 Phonographic Copyright ? – Sanctuary Records Group Ltd. Copyright © – Song Cycle Ltd. Phonographic Copyright ? – Song Cycle Ltd. Licensed From – BMG Rights Management (UK) Limited Backing Vocals – James* (tracks: B1), Terry* (tracks: A1, B1) Bass – Ed* (tracks: A1 to B3) Bells – James* (tracks: B4) Bells [Sleigh] – Larraine* (tracks: B4) Design [Sleeve] – Paul Leeves Drums – Roger* (tracks: A1 to B3) Electric Piano – Terry* (tracks: A2) Engineer – Jerry Boys, Roger Mayer Executive Producer – Laurence Aston Flute – Ian* (tracks: A1, B3) Guitar – Ed* (tracks: A3), Ian* (tracks: A2 to B2, B4), Terry* (tracks: A1, A3, A4, B1, B3) Guitar [Bowed Freak], Lead Vocals – Terry* (tracks: B2) Guitar [Fuzz] – Terry* (tracks: A2, A4) Illustration [Cover] – Ray Leeves Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar – Ian* (tracks: A1) Lead Vocals – James* (tracks: A2, A4, B2), Larraine* (tracks: A1, A2, B2) Maracas – James* (tracks: A2, B4) Mastered By – Malcolm Davies Organ – Terry* (tracks: A1, A2, A4) Percussion [Gadzoonka] – James* (tracks: A2) Percussion [Skulls], Bass, Glockenspiel – Roger* (tracks: B4) Performer [Ambiance] – James* (tracks: B2) Photography By – Paul Bamborough Piano – Terry* (tracks: A1, B3) Piano [Plucked] – Terry* (tracks: B1) Producer – Jerry Boys Tambourine – James* (tracks: A2, B1), Larraine* (tracks: A2) Viola, Guitar [Binson], Vocals [Wordless] – Terry* Vocals – Larraine* (tracks: A4, B3) Vocals [Wordless] – Larraine* (tracks: B1, B4) Gatefold sleeve comes with sticker Misprint track A4 : James Gordon (3) is credited as Gordono