LAZY DAYS: The British Progressive Pop Sounds of 1975 (Grapefruit/ Cherry Red) (Release date: 6/12/2024)

This 3 CD set is a compendium of hit singles, near misses, memorable songs and important album tracks from the year 1975. It was the pre-punk era when prog’s fortunes were on the wane, and the London-based pub rock scene was on the rise. It’s splendidly packaged, of course, with photos, cuttings from the press and the stories behind the songs. To give the flavour of what’s here I’ve picked out a few examples. There isn’t much in the way of prog but Hatfield and the North’s ‘Share It’, Jethro Tull’s ‘Minstrel in the Gallery’ and an unexpected appearance by Peter Hammill with ‘Birthday Special’ are there and space rocks on with Hawkwind’s ‘Kings of Speed’. Of the hits The Sutherland Brothers and Quiver’s ‘Arms of Mary’, Ian Hunter’s ‘Once Bitten, Twice Shy’ and ELO’s ‘Evil Woman’ have stood the test of time. I’ve always thought of Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel as on the fringes of prog and they made some good albums, and they are represented by ‘Mr Raffles (Man, It Was Mean)’. Perhaps the biggest surprise is the appearance of Ivor Cutler with ‘Go and Sit on the Grass’. There are some strange bedfellows for sure among the 65 tracks, but for those who enjoy trips down memory lane or just want to sample what was around in 1975 there’s a lot to enjoy here.