moment of truth

Early-’70s New York band folding country-rock, psych, soul, and a dash of jazz into a warm, groove-forward sound. The core lineup—Tom Cosgrove (vocals/guitar), Mike Garson (keyboards), Stu Woods (bass) and Rick Marotta (drums)—were top-shelf players who also worked with names like Al Kooper and, later, David Bowie (Garson). They released two albums on Tiffany Records: Brethren (1970) and Moment of Truth (1971).

Moment of Truth (the album) was issued in 1971 on Tiffany, is their second LP, that broadens the debut’s rootsy core with clavinet-led funk touches, gospel-tinged harmonies, and well-placed horns. Across nine tracks—“Loop Garoo,” “Wesley (With the Gun),” “Sun and the Moon,” “Freedom Blues,” “Lady on the Terrace,” “Move On,” “Rainy Day Lady,” “History Repeats Itself,” and “Blaze”—Cosgrove’s gritty vocal/guitar leads meet Garson’s agile keys, Woods’s melodic bass (and clavinet), and Marotta’s tight, unfussy pocket. Cameos from players like Dave Liebman (sax), Barry Rogers (trombone), and Ralph MacDonald (percussion) add a polished New York studio sheen without sanding off the band’s country-psych edge, making the record feel both earthy and urbane.

TRACK LISTING

• A1 Loop Garoo 8:25
• A2 Wesley 3:00
• A3 The Sun And The Moon 3:12
• A4 Freedom Blues 5:08
• B1 Lady On The Terrace 3:52
• B2 Move On 3:57
• B3 Rainy Day Lady 4:48
• B4 History Repeats Itself 3:50
• B5 Blaze 3:45