Among the bands that have created a sort of cult around them are Marvelous Kid, a UK band with a Progressive Rock sound with references to the Canterbury Scene. Although they never released a proper album at the time, they made a name for themselves in their live appearances, playing at the Glastonbury Festival and as support to bands such as East Of Eden, The Groundhogs, Fusion Orchestra and Capability Brown, among others. Fortunately, Archival Records Seelie Court bought the masters of the 1973 recordings directly from the band members, turning them into the album that should have been released at the time. Titled “After The Race,” it was released in 2024 in a super limited edition, available exclusively from the label via mail order. The tracklist consists of 5 tracks, 4 of which are epic suites of over 9, 12, 13 and 15 minutes, perhaps this might have been the problem that prevented the band from getting a record deal at the time. The first thing that strikes us, as in the label’s previous releases, is the very high quality of the master and the sonic cleanliness of these usually not-so-perfect sounding exhibits. After this dutiful introduction, necessary in discographic releases such as this, we go into the listening, which proposes a long suite of over 12 minutes entitled “The John And Valerie Music.” The elaborate textures are steeped in that Progressive Rock sound with Jazzy traits that reminds us of the Canterbury Scene, even more evident in the development of the vocal parts and the wind-keyboard-guitar solo inserts. What is certain is that this piece is an engaging and refined Prog song with Jazzy facets, which enhances the band’s compositional and performing technique. In the second part, the band develops an extended instrumental section of pure Progressive Rock. As mentioned earlier, there is a ‘shorter’ track entitled “One For Sebastian,” which is still over four minutes long. Winds are prominent in the melodies, giving a jazzy touch in the vocal parts as well, with a warm and expressive vocal. In the middle part, the band develops a refined instrumental section with intertwining guitar and sax that accompany us to the finale. “After The Race” is the title track of this work, an epic suite of over 13 minutes, exploring the different facets of the band’s sound. The mixture of very British sounds of Symphonic Progressive Rock characterise the first part, with warm and expressive vocals. Pastoral flute inserts enrich the sound, with continuous tempo changes and phrasing between guitar and woodwinds through extended instrumental sections. The long duration enhances the band’s compositional and performing technique, keeping the intensity very high and interweaving energetic and engaging vocals and instrumentals. The longest track on the album, “Instructions For Travellers,” is an epic of over 15 minutes, is more delicate and with sounds that are nonetheless engaging. The sound deviates somewhat from true Progressive Rock, but it offers a sound that brings us all the lightheartedness of a trip taken at the time perhaps by a young listener of this music. Valuable guitar solo inserts in the second half and intense vocal parts accompany us for this pleasant musical journey through space and time. In the second part, with the entry of the woodwinds, the band e4volves the piece with very delicate and refined Prog sounds. The album ends with “Katherine,” a piece over 9 minutes in length, is a complex piece that incorporates Jazz elements to an energetic and engaging Prog sound. With continuous tempo changes and wide instrumental parts, which enhance the textures of woodwinds and keyboards, with Symphonic openings and melodic and refined solo inserts. After concluding the listening, the piece leaves us wanting to listen to this work again in the near future. A band that has remained hidden and unknown for too long, finally Seelie Court has brought out a true hidden masterpiece. The band at the time mysteriously did not find a contract to see their music released, which instead is qualitatively very interesting and technically well composed and performed. An album that consists of long tracks exploring Progressive Rock sounds with forays into jazz traceable to the Canterbury Scene, with extensive use of horns. A recommended listen for lovers of the hidden treasures of the 70s, a true absolute masterpiece of Progressive Rock with featured horns, bringing the atmosphere of that magical period back to the present day, an absolute masterpiece. I want to thank Seelie Court for the research and enhancement work it has done with this and other bands of the era.
Tracklist
01. The John And Valerie Music (12.10)
02. One For Sebastian (4.27)
03. After The Race (13.11)
04. Instructions For Travellers (15.18)
05 Katherine (9.56)
Lineup
Steve Betts / Keyboards and Vocals
Tony Coxon / Guitar
Paul Moon / Drums
Frank Artés / Bass and Vocals
Ivor Carroll / Tenor Saxophone and Flute
