Affinity - 1971-1972 (2003)
Affinity - 1971-1972 (2003)
Album: Affinity - 1971-72
Released: 2003
Styles: Prog-, Jazz-Rock
Group Biography: AMG
At the end of January 1971, lead vocalist Linda Hoyle and Hammond organist Lynton Naiff, having both given a month's notice, quit Affinity - the band they had been with for two and a half years - to go their separate ways. It was an amicable split.
The remaining members of the band - bass-player Mo Foster, guitarist Mike Jopp, and drummer Grant Serpell - each began to embrace new projects. However they missed the fun of a small cohesive team and, after some discussion, made the decision to keep the name Affinity and to try to continue as a performing and recording entity. It was not an easy task since finding replacements for Linda and Lynton -both of whom were superb musicians - was necessarily a challenge.
Affinity had first met Vivienne McAuliffe at Exeter University while playing one of their last gigs with the original line-up. She had been lead vocalist with the college band, Principal Edwards Magic Theatre.
Vivienne had been a founder member of Principal Edwards Magic Theatre, a band that was formed at Exeter University. One of the first bands to use theatre as part of their act, they were signed by Radio One DJ John Peel to his own label, Dandelion, and were very successful during the time that they were together. She went on to play with Affinity, and then sung with various bands around London. She also sang on many records, with artists such as Gerry Rafferty (the Baker Street album, City to City), Patrick Moraz (from the band Yes), and various members of Genesis. She is listed in the All Music Guide.
In later life she worked with the legendary fashion designer John Galliano and
eventually became senior lecturer at the London College of Fashion whilst still being
involved in the music scene.
She leaves behind one son, James, and a lot of very happy memories for those of
us who were lucky enough to have known her.
Back in London the band held a set of tortuous auditions but it soon became clear that Vivienne - with her crystal-clear voice and outgoing personality - was the only possible choice to replace Linda. She became one of the lads.
At about this time ex-Tornados keyboard-player Dave Watts answered an advert in Melody Maker and brought with him not only his own Hammond Organ but also an impish sense of humour. Within minutes he slotted in to the band banter and, as soon as he played, the guys knew he was the right man.
Unlike Linda - whose voice was jazz-tinged - Vivienne's voice was higher pitched and more folky - in the style of Sonia Kristina of Curved Air.
The band initially adapted some of their older material, but they mainly set out to write and rehearse new songs with Vivienne in mind: Mike spent some time composing and refining material with songsmith BA Robertson whilst Mo wrote with Vivienne herself.
There was soon enough material for a whole new set and UK college gigs and club dates soon followed.
Sadly, as quickly as the musicians had come together, there were problems and the band eventually fragmented with the various members being torn in different directions. Affinity truly ended in 1972 when Mo, Mike, and Grant were invited to play with ex-Manfred Michael d'Abo for a lengthy US tour. Frustratingly, a studio album of the new material at that time never happened. But this album - the album that never was - is an attempt to fill that void and is compiled from a set of studio demos and full band rehearsals. To make the tracks sound as the band would have intended there have been a few discreet overdubs.
In addition Mo and Mike have composed two new instrumental pieces especially for the project. - From CD Liner Notes
Mike Jopp - Electric Guitar and Acoustic Guitar
Mo Foster - Bass Guitar, Double Bass, Hammond Organ, Fender Piano, and Percussion
Grant Serpell -Drums
Vivienne McAuliffe - Vocals
Dave Watts - Hammond Organ and Piano
Tracklist:
1. Moira's Hand - 5:21
2. Grey Skies - 8:42
3. Cream on Your Face - 5:23
4. Sunshower - 5:47
5. All Along the Watchtower/It's About That Time - 7:45
6. Rio - 4:50
7. Poor Man's Son - 3:25
8. Sarah's Wardrobe - 4:17
9. Highgate - 3:56
Affinity - Affinity (1970)
Affinity - Affinity (1970)
Album: Affinity - Affinity
Released: 1970 (2000)
Styles: Prog-, Jazz-Rock
Group Biography: AMG
Akarma AK 112
Well known Vertigo release (at least in progressive circles) of early 70's Hammond-dominated progressive with some jazz-influences. The band had an excellent female singer in Linda Hoyle. The material on the album is quite strong all the way through. "I Am and So Are You" and "Three Sister" do both use horns to good effect. "Mr. Joy" is a relaxed and excellent jazzy track, while "Night Flight" is a more typical early 70's progressive rock track. There are two excellent cover versions here too. You would may not expect much from a cover of The Everly Brother's "I Wonder If I Care As Much", but its sounds awesome with a incredible symphonic and great arrangement. And their 11-minute version of "All Along the Watchtower" is a irresistible Hammond-orgy you must hear to believe. Definitively one of the classic Vertigo releases. - Progressive Rock A
Fronted by vocalist Linda Hoyle, supported by guitarist Mike Jupp, bassist Mo Foster, organist Lynton Naiff and drummer Grant Serpell, Affinity were one of several UK prog/jazz-rock groups signed up by the influential Vertigo Records. But altough the band's seven track debut was well received by the critics it didn't dissuade the group from splitting up soon after its release in 1970. Linda Hoyle continued to record for Vertigo, releasing the LP "Pieces of Me" in 1971, on which she was backed by Chris Spedding and Soft Machine members John Marshall and Karl Jenkins. The LP was a much more varied one than Affinity's, ranging from ballads to hard rock, and it was commercial success. Drummer Grant Serpell went on join Sailor, organist Lynton Naiff gigged with Toe Fat, the band led by ex Rebel Rouser Cliff Bennett. - New Gibraltar Encyclopedia Of Progressive Rock
Affinity was a short-lived band that released one album and one single in 1970 and then spilt up. They were a highly regarded band and looked upon with much promise as the one of the new wave of jazz-rock fusion artists. With an effective blend of folk, jazz, soul, blues, and rudiments of modern-day psychedelia and progressive rock, it simply was not fair to put them into any one classification of music. With the powerful vocals of Linda Hoyle leading the way, it looked as though the band had quite a future ahead of them. It was not in the cards unfortunately. What they left for us was a superb achievement by any musical standards, and that includes the most important factors such as sound, production, and musicianship...
This is very progressive music for its day; in fact, logic dictates that it was more than likely considered a little on the extreme side in 1970. I cannot help but think how this group would have evolved if they had stayed together for a few more albums. - PROGRESSIVEWORLD.NET: MUZIKMAN REVIEWZ
Like many bands riding on the crest of the jazz-rock wave in the early '70s, AFFINITY released one album and were just getting their footing when they decided to split up, despite the album being well received by the critics. They were fronted by Lynda Hoyle, a powerful vocalist who sounds like a cross between Carol King and Julie Driscoll. The other band members were Mo Foster (bass), Mike Jupp (electric and 12-string guitars), Lynton Naiff (keyboards) and Grant Serpell (drums and percussion). Basically, their music is an eclectic mixture of a blues-rock with jazz, pop and folk influences as well as some rudiments of early '70s psychedelia. Their sound is very brassy and the Hammond organ omnipresent, the overall product sounding very progressive for its day.
Issued in 1970, their only official (self-titled) album shows much variety as well as plenty of soloing. As the excellent sound, musicianship and production will attest, it is a superb achievement for the times. Their material has since been reissued on different cd's, some featuring studio demos and full-band rehearsals. One of them is made up entirely of live instrumentals, recorded at a time when vocalist Linda Hoyle was temporarily hospitalized for a vocal chord operation, leaving the rest of the band on their own.
Recommended for collectors of late '60s/early '70s blues-tinged prog. - Prog Archives.com
Linda Hoyle - Vocal
Lynton Naiff - Organ
Mike Jopp - Guitar
Mo Foster - Bass
Grant Serpell - Drums
Tracklist:
1. I Am And So Are You - 3:31
2. Night Flight - 7:15
3. I Wonder If I Care As Much - 3:20
4. Mr. Joy - 5:02
5. Three Sisters - 4:57
6. Cocoanut Grove - 2:35
7. All Along The Watchtower - 11:36
Bonus Tracks:
8. Eli's Coming - 3:26
9. United States Of Mind - 2:44
Affinity - If You Live (2002)
Affinity - If You Live (2002)
Formed in 1970, Affinity broke the British jazz-rock mold by combining the hauntingly powerful vocals of Linda Hoyle & the Hammond wizardry of Lynton Naiff with convincing elements of psych & blues. This remastered full length album is comprised of eight tracks not found on their rare single ('Eli's Coming' & 'United States of Mind') & two of the three tracks ('I Am The Walrus' & 'You Met Your Match') that originally appeared in 1969 on a 10'' EMI disc acetate. Akarma. 2002.
Tracklist:
1. Eli's Coming
2. United States of Mind
3. Yes Man
4. If You Live
5. I Am The Walrus
6. You Met Your Match
7. Long Voyage
8. Little Lonely Man
Affinity - Origins - The Baskervilles 1965 (2007)
Affinity - Origins - The Baskervilles 1965 (2007)
Even though Affinity’s first album (the much sought after original Vertigo release) was not released until 1968 the roots of Affinity lay firmly in The University Of Sussex, England where The Jazz Trio and The Baskervilles were the two main musical units in 1963. By 1965 the groups were comfortable with both their repertoire and performing every weekend at The Sunday Hop. This collection features live recordings from the Christmas Ball in 1965 plus nine bonus tracks recorded at rehearsals and other gigs earlier in the year. 32 tracks total. Angel Air. 2007.
Tracklist:
1. She's Not There
2. I Feel Fine
3. It's Good News Week
4. Mr. Tambourine Man
5. I Saw Her Standing There
6. Hallelulah I Love Her So
7. Freight Train
8. Love Potion No.9
9. You Like Me Too Much
10. Day Tripper
11. We Can Work It Out
12. Peggy Sue Got Married
13. I Can't Get No Satisfaction
14. Yesterday
15. Bumble Bee
16. Perfidia
17. Another Girl
18. Summertime Blues
19. We Wish You a Merry Christmas
20. Get Off My Cloud
21. Sweets For My Sweet
22. Hang On Sloopy
23. Get Off My Cloud
24. Mr Tambourine Man
25. Always Something There To Remind Me
26. You Like Me Too Much
27. Perfidia
28. Trains And Boats And Planes
29. The Last Time
30. Hey You've Got To Hide Your Love Away
31. Take Five
32. We Wish You a Merry Christmas
