Genoa-based cult label Black Widow Records continues to expand its digital footprint, making its invaluable historical catalog accessible to the modern streaming era. The latest archival addition to hit their official Bandcamp profile is “IV,” the elusive fourth studio outing from British Occult Progressive Rock pioneers Black Widow.
Originally recorded between August and December 1972 following the band’s departure from CBS, the master tapes for “IV” sat completely unreleased in a vault for a quarter of a century. It was Massimo Gasperini‘s Black Widow Records that tracked down and rescued these original recordings from flautist Clive Jones, giving the legendary work its first-ever official physical release on CD and Vinyl in 1997 under the catalog number BWR 024.
This new digital availability offers listeners the definitive 1997 audio restoration originally overseen by the Italian label, capturing the audio exactly as it was meant to be preserved. The record represents a crucial sonic document, capturing the band navigating away from their raw, early Occult Rock roots toward a highly sophisticated, classical, and Folk-infused Progressive Rock territory.
The digital tracklist completely mirrors the original BWR physical layout, dividing the sessions between the band’s changing vocal lineups: longtime frontman Kip Trevor handles lead vocals on tracks 1 through 5, while his successor, Rick E, takes the mic for tracks 6 through 9.
Artwork: Don McKay, Robert Barrs-James, Clive Jones.
Purchase Black Widow‘s “IV” on Bandcamp: https://blackwidowband.bandcamp.com/album/iv
Tracklist:
01. Sleighride 09:10
02. More than a Day 04:28
03. You’re so Wrong 03:51
04. The Waves 05:45
05. Part of a new Day 08:30
06. When will you know 02:13
07. Floating 04:28
08. Pictures in my Head 03:39
09. I See You 03:12
Lineup:
Kip Trevor / Lead Vocals (Tracks 1-5)
Romeo Challenger / Drums
Rick E / Lead Vocals (Tracks 6-9)
John Culley / Lead Guitar, Vocals
Zoot Taylor / Hammond Organ
Clive Jones / Flute, Saxophone, Percussion
Geoff Griffith / Bass, Vocals