This is the album where the hippy psychedelic leanings of Frank’s music started to give way to the more guitar hero rocker tunes. This also coincided with being the first recording for his new label CBS. Ironically, Frank would be battling with them for the entire length of his contract. This would also be the last Mahogany Rush record, as Frank Marino would be in front hereafter. A very underrated artist, not just as a guitar player, but as a songwriter as well and all the tunes are self penned.
Opening track, I’m Going Away, is a reminder of the psych leanings of Frank’s early music and is a great tune. The funky vibes of Man At The Back Door is next up, and has some really cool tones from his guitar. Live favourite, The Answer, follows and has a very Hendrix groove and riff and the middle section is killer – Frank lets rip with some spacey solo. Jive Baby is a great step away from the norm with a jazz/funk vibe and groove. Side 1 closes out with Its Begun To Rain, and the late sixties love and peace vibe is alive and well.
Side 2 opens with Dragonfly and you will not hear a better riff and groove. I love everything about this track – the spacey solo is just the cherry on the top. Little Sexy Annie is a sped up beast of a tune with a great riff and melody line, and some ripping guitar to blow your blues away. The very weird, Moonwalk, follows and after the intro the track goes into Mahavishnu territory as Frank’s shows his chops. The album closes with IV The Emperor and is an epic spaced out psych fest with lots of guitar. A great and enjoyable record.
9/10 from The Grooveman.
