There’s A Bond Between Us – THE GRAHAM BOND ORGANIZATION***

Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf/Hear Me Calling Your Name/The Night Time Is The Right Time/Walkin’ In The Park/Last Night/Baby Can It Be True/What’d I Say/Dick’s Instrumental/Don’t Let Go/Keep A Drivin’/Have You Ever Loved A Woman/Camels & Elephant

There’s A Bond Between Us was the second and final album from the influential British R & B group The Graham Bond Organization which included two thirds of the membership of the supergroup Cream.

“The Organization lacked a glamorous image, spent most of their time working in the clubs for little money, and were unable to break into the charts. Effectively reformed as Cream in late '66 - with Eric Clapton replacing Graham Bond.”

“Graham Bond's raw vocals are an acquired taste but I feel sure by the end of this LP it will definitely grow on you. More important is what a great group of musicians they were. I always thought Ginger Baker was one of the greatest ever drummers and these early recordings go a long way to support my claim. Also quite apparent is some superb bass playing by Jack Bruce. However, it is unfair to single out individuals when the whole band were a group of exceptionally talented musicians.”

“The band had a formidable live reputation on the 60s British R 'n' B scene, later spawning Cream. I must say I was rather disappointed with this studio offering. In a live context, Bond's raucous yet unmelodic vocals sound earthy; here they sound awkward, especially on the ballad material. Equally, the band as a whole seem rather stilted, as if uncomfortable in the studio environment.”

“Aggressive, punchy blues with Bond working wonders on his Hammond, driven by the ferocious rhythm section. Full of energy and vigour, and brimming over with talent, this was a great band with a unique sound.”

“Graham Bond is one of the unsung heroes of the early '60s UK R & B scene, incubating talent which would later mature and eclipse his own groundbreaking efforts. This album offers an intriguing snapshot of this fertile period in Britain when jazz and blues coexisted quite happily.”

“Offered a slightly wider musical range played with a bit less verve, and Bond's pioneering use of the Mellotron presaged his move towards progressive music.”