Recorded in 1974, “Immanuel’s Manual” captures Cornish Progressive group Marvelous Kid during their final and most developed period. By then the band had moved into the London underground circuit, where their Canterbury-influenced sound had become looser and more Jazz-minded.
Long pieces leave plenty of room for the musicians to stretch out, with keyboards, guitar and the saxophone and flute of Pete Davey, formerly of Patto, giving the recordings much of their character.
The four main tracks were recorded in the band’s own home studio and remained unreleased at the time. The CD edition adds “Ants,” recorded separately at BBC Maida Vale.
A remarkable surviving document from a British progressive band that appeared at the first Glastonbury Festival yet never secured the record deal their music deserved.
Another chapter in the Marvelous Kid archive is coming from Seelie Court on 30 October 2026.
“Immanuel’s Manual” collects the band’s 1974 final-line-up recordings: four extended home-studio pieces that move further into Jazz-inflected, Canterbury-style Progressive Rock. The CD also adds “Ants,” recorded at BBC Maida Vale with saxophonist and flautist Pete Davey, formerly of Patto.
Pre-Order “Immanuel’s Manual” on Bandcamp: https://marvelouskid.bandcamp.com/album/immanuel-s-manual
Tracklist:
01. Clench
02. Immanuel’s Manual
03. Don’t Speak With Your Mouth Full
04. Oedipus Wrecks
05. Ants [Bonus Track]
Linuep:
Paul Moon / Drums
Tony Coxon / Guitars
Frank Artés / Bass Guitar, Vocals
Pete Davey / Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Flute
Steve Betts / Lead Vocals, Keyboards
Recorded in 1974.
Tracks 1–4 recorded at the band’s home studio.
“Ants” recorded at BBC Maida Vale.
Credits:
Home studio recording engineer – Richard Hubbard
Photos – Cynthia Korotkin
Mastered by Mint Audio
Artwork – Martin Robert Cook
All compositions by Steve Betts, Tony Coxon, and Pete Davey as credited per track.
— About Marvelous Kid —
Marvelous Kid were a British Progressive Rock band formed in Cornwall in 1970. Blending Canterbury-style Art Rock with Jazz-inflected passages and theatrical vocals, they toured widely and appeared at the first Glastonbury Festival in 1971. Recording sessions in 1973 produced an unreleased debut, leaving Marvelous Kid as a rare and distinctive chapter of early ’70s UK Prog.