Liberation Suite - Liberation Suite (Myrrh MYR 1027, MSA 6557 Intercord INT 160 090) UK 1975. In the world of rock music, I often abide by the equation “horns = barf”, There are exceptions, however, and Liberation Suite is most definitely one of them. This band is actually a group of Americans (five long-haired guys from San Marcos, Texas) that ended up with an extended stay in the UK where they hooked up with producer John Pantry to record this Jesus music classic. The brass section definitely adds pep to their FM rock sound, much like the early Chicago lps, Some feisty rock grooves and jamming electric guitar within ‘Led To Roam’, ‘Run Run Lucifer’ and the funky ‘Oh Lord, You Know (That I Feel So Fine)’. Also samplings of country rock (‘My Lord Is A Remedy’), melodic ballads (‘Reachin’ For The Sky’) and a cover of Eric Clapton’s ‘Presence Of The Lord’. The standout track would have to be ‘Hearken’, a beautiful lengthy shimmering acoustic piece. Nice flute activity in spots, sometimes with a Tull-ish flair. Also released on Myrrh in the US (MSA 6557), but the British pressing gets the superior treatment with its textured gate-fold cover. (The Archivist, 4th Edition by Ken Scott)…148
