medusa

• 180g vinyl
• Gatefold cover
• Limited Edition 500 copies
• Originally released in 1972

This hard/blues-rock band formed in Wolverhampton in 1968 and became the first band to sign to The Moody Blues’ Threshold label. Not only is Medusa the finest offering from '70s outfit Trapeze, it is one of the decade's most underappreciated hard rock recordings. With a lineup that consisted of future Deep Purple, Judas Priest, and Black Sabbath members, there seems to be proof that at least a few fellow musicians appreciated this 1971 offering. Even the ballads are focused, memorable, and unique. There are some melodic moments on the closing title track that sound almost as if a '90s alt-rock crooner composed them. Considering that Medusa predates many similar, and more successful, classic rock LPs from the likes of Bad Company, Nazareth, Foreigner, and others, it's a wonder that the record isn't mentioned more when influential albums of this era are discussed.

Track Listing:

• A1 Black Cloud 6:13
• A2 Jury 8:10
• A3 Your Love Is Alright 4:54
• B1 Touch My Life 4:06
• B2 Seafull 6:34
• B3 Makes You Wanna Cry 4:41
• B4 Medusa 5:40