Ashkan - In from the Cold (1969) GBR

This was the first album released on Decca's progressive Nova label. Co-produced by Peter Sherter and Ian Sippin, much of the album bares an uncanny resemblance to early Spooky Tooth. Propelled by Bailey's hoarse vocal growl and the band's penchant for screaming guitars, this comparison is reinforced on tracks such as Going Home, Take These Chains and Out Of Us Two. Elsewhere Bailey sounds like Joe Cocker on Practically Never Happens, while Bob Weston's Slightly Country sounds like it was stolen from the early Steve Winwood and Traffic catalogue. With the exception of the pedestrian blues number Backlash Blues the album, but including the extended Darkness, is worth hearing.

We're shallow enough to admit the weird cover is what initially attracted our attention to this obscure LP … there was just something odd about seeing four "hip" looking guys standing in a wheat field in front of an ancient windmill … wonder if the recorded the album in Holland ? Are there windmills in England?

First off, we'll tell you numerous critics have slagged the album as being ordinary and unimaginative. We'll take issue with them and tell you it's actually an overlooked minor classic. Featuring the talents of singer Steve Bailey, bassist Ron Bending, drummer Terry Sims and guitarist Bob Weston, Ashkan made their recording debut with 1969's "In from the Cold". In the UK the set was the first released by Decca's newly established progressive-oriented Neon label. In the States it saw a release on London's Sire subsidiary. Co-produced by Peter Sherter and Ian Sippin, to our ears much of the album bares an uncanny resemblance to early Spooky Tooth. Propelled by Bailey's hoarse growl and the band's penchant for screaming guitars, the comparison was reinforced on tracks such as "Going Home", "Take These Chains" and "Out of Us Two". Elsewhere Bailey's growl sounded like Joe Cocker on "Practically Never Happens", while Bob Weston's "Slightly Country" sounded like it was stolen from the early Steve Winwood and Traffic catalog. With the exception of the pedestrian blues number "Backlash Blues" the entire album including the extended "Darkness" was worth hearing. Besides, had Gary Wright and Spooky Tooth released something this good, it would have been a massive success …



(side 1)

1.) Going Home (Steve Bailey - Bob Weston) - 6:35
2.) Take These Chains (Bob Weston) - 4:27
3.) Stop (Wait and Listen) (Steve Bailey - Bob Weston) - 5:51
4.) Backlash Blues (Simone - Hughes) - 7:42


(side 2)

1.) Practically Never Happens (Steve Bailey - Bob Weston - Ron Bending - Terry Sims) - 5:56
2.) Out of Us Two (Steve Bailey - Bob Weston - Ron Bending - Terry Sims) - 5:43
3.) Slightly Country (Bob Weston) - 2:56
4.) Darkness (Steve Bailey - Bob Weston) - 12:08