It's TIMEBOX Time (again)!
John H. McCarthy | Archbald,PA | 08/16/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This review is on the RPM/Retrodisc release of TIMEBOX "BEGGIN' The Sound Of London's Mod/Club Scene" a re-vamp of the previous Deram CD, minus the track "Misty", BUT it also contains the 4 sides they cut for Piccadilly, which is a nice addition (the disc clocks in at 78:08, so I guess something had to go). The liners by David Wells are lengthy and informative and go into more detail than I'm sure Barry Monks was allowed for the Deram issue (he does get a special thanks). Also, there are many more photos (including six that are full-page, and three that are new), all in all a better release than previously issued. Don't forget to check out The Ollie Halsall Archive, as always GREAT SITE, with some EXCELLENT videos, and best of all, ARTIST APPROVED! Ollie and Mike are surely proud...."
Overlooked Talent
Morten Vindberg | Denmark | 10/25/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This collection of music of the obscure British band "Timebox" from the late 1960s was really a pleasant surprise to listen to. Incredible, there can still be found bands from this period with so much talent that you have not heard of.
The group released in the period 1967-1969 eight preferably very excellent singles; several of them written by the group's talented songwriter couple Mike Patto and Ollie Hallsall. An album was never released in group's lifetime, although there was work on this and several of these previously unreleased tracks can be found on this excellent CD collection.
The group's earliest recordings sound very inspired by Motown, but the music also has strong similarities with the Manfred Mann Group. It shines clearly through that the band instrumentally was extremely competent, and vocalist Mike Patto has a voice that equals that of Paul Jones from Manfred Mann Group. The vibraphone was often used on the early Manfred Mann records, and the instrument is also a characteristic of Timebox.
The closest the group came a breakthrough was with a highly original cover version of the old Four Seasons number "Begin'", which is definitely one of the CD's highlights.
Other highlights include the B-side "A Woman That's Waiting" - a strong soul-pop ballad. Another strong B-side is the Hallsall / Patto song "Gone is the Sad Man" - a number that easily could have been recorded by Manfred Mann with Mike Dabo in front.
The previously unreleased Hallsall / Patto songs "Eddie McHenry" and "Barnabus Swain" are much in the same genre; probably numbers meant for the unreleased album. "1968 single" Baked Jam Roll In Your Eye ", also written by Hallsall / Patto sounds like a hit, which it unfortunately was not.
Pretty Things inspired sounds the bluesy "Stay There". Another strong track, which until now has not been released. The more commercial "Tree House" might have been a number that might have created focus on the group, also this fine number was not published until now.
The group's last single, "Yellow Van" / "You've Got the Chance" is arguably the group's strongest release, both tracks Hallsall / Patto compositions, and both among the CD strongest.
Around 1970 keyboard player Chris Holmes left the group, which subsequently changed its name to "Patto" and also began playing more heavy blues-rock. But that is another story.
Fans of groups such as Zombies, Manfred Mann or Pretty Things will undoubtedly find much of interest here."
Track Listings (27) - Disc #1