Search - Affinity :: Affinity

Legendary Vertigo Classic

mysticqueen | Seoul, Korea | 09/25/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Affinity were a British progressive band on a jazz-rock edge released only one stuff. Their same title LP in 1970 was one of the Vertigo classic. It is available on CD, which also includes two bonus tracks. Organ dominated jazz-rock with amazing female vocalist Lynda Hoyle. The vocal is overall prominent and similar to Julie Driscoll. Lynton Naiff's organ work is great, especially on 'Night Flight' and 'All Along The Watchtower'. His excellent organ solo on 'Night Flight' is A MUST for progressive fan.Moreover you can enjoy the fine brass arrangements on 'I Am And So Are You'. All tracks are worth a listen, and my favourite is 'Night Flight'. Try it and you won't regret, if you like early British rock. Highly recommended!"

A fine jazz-rock hybrid

Robert Cossaboon | The happy land of Walworth, NY | 05/07/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Affinity's self-titled album is very catchy. If you aren't hooked after listening to the groove based opener, "I am and so are you", then Lawrence Welk would probably have been more your speed then, anyhow. Those of you familiar with the work of Brian Auger and the Trinity with Julie Driscoll will easily find a kindred spirit in this album. Many of the songs are keyboard laden, but there is a real jazz motor at work this band's heart. The album then takes off with the second track, "Night Flight", a song that gives every musician in the band a chance to shine; I particularly liked the guitar-organ interplay. The next song, "I wonder if I care as much" is an amazing Everly Brothers cover that sounds like a psychedelic gospel song sung from the cemetery; this is Linda Hoyle's vehicle for sure. "Mr. Joy" despite the surreal lyrics, is at heart a straight ahead jazz song. "Three Sisters" is another jazz number that has an awesome guitar testimonial against a solid brass background-great stuff! "Cocoanut grove" tones things down to an accoustic evokation of places far away. The last song proper on this album is a cover of "All along the watchtower". If you think you've heard it all from Hendrix to Dylan to Young, watch out- nothing will prepare you for this eleven minute jam ala Cream! On this song, the organ/keyboards have their day, but owe much to the kickbutt rhthym work of their drummer and bassist. It stands as a perfect justification for it and the band's existence. Along with the original seven songs, you get two bonus tracks. The first is a Laura Nyro cover of "Eli's Coming". Inevitably comparisons to Three Dog Night's more well known version will arise; Affinity's version seems to come across as more melodic (and orchestrated!). The album closes with accoustic, but spunky "United states of mind" with a catchy signature chorus."