Genre: psych
Rating: *** (3 stars)
Title: Japer Wrath
Company: Sunflower
Catalog: SNF 5003
Year: 1971
Country/State: Hamden, Connecticut
Grade (cover/record): VG/VG
Comments: minor ring, edge and corner wear; cut corner (see photo); includes rare lyric sheet insert
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: 4
Price: $100.00
Cost: $1.00
During their short
recording career, Hamden, Connecticut's Jasper Wrath (Robert Gennette, Chris
Hawke, Michael Soldan and Philip Stoltie - the limited liner notes don't
provided a clue as to who played what), managed to release one instantly
obscure 45 ('Did You Know That' b/w 'It's Up To You', Sunflower catalog
number SNF 5003) and an equally rare 1971 album. That's unfortunate since
their album's a largely undiscovered treat.
First off, we'll be honest and tell you this is one of those releases that
didn't grab us the first time we listened to it. Occasional woodwinds made
it a little too laidback and mellow for our tastes ... That said, having
spun it a couple of times, it's become a personal favorite.
Signed by MGM's short-lived Sunflower subsidiary, the quartet's self-titled
1971 debut features an entertaining hybrid of commercial, lite-psychedelic
and occasional progressive moves. Produced by Joey Levine (probably
explaining the commercial edge), Jim Carroll and the band, "Jasper
Wrath" wasn't exactly the year's most original offering.
On the other hand, the collection was full of strong melodies (imagine
Gentle Giant had they gone in a more mainstream direction, or America had
they gone for a progressive sound), some wonderful harmony work ('Autumn')
and more than it's share of tasty guitar ('Mysteries (You Can Find Out)').
Highlights included the rocker 'Did You Know That' and the extended,
progressive workout 'Roland of Montevere'. (The album was originally
released with a lyric insert. Yes, our copy has the insert.)
"Jasper Wrath" track listing:
(side
1)
1.) Look To the
Sunrise (Jeff Cannata - Philip Stoltie) - 2:55
2.) Mysteries (You Can Find Out) (Jeff Cannata) - 3:50
3.) Autumn (Michael Soldan - Jeff Cannata) - 4:45
4.) Odyssey (Jeff Cannata - Philip Stoltie) - 7:10
(side 1)
1.) Did You Know
That (Wrath - Joey Levine) - 2:55
2.) Drift Through Our Cloud (Wrath - Philip Stoltie) - 3:30
3.) Portrait: My Lady Angelina (Michael Soldan - Jeff Cannata) - 5:00
4.) Roland of Montevere (Giannotti - Michael Soldan - Jeff Cannata) - 9:50