Trapeze is a band that have been relatively ignored in the classic rock lexicon. Known more for being Glen Hughes’ pre-Deep Purple band than anything else, very few seem to sing the praises of this West Midlands band. But for those who explore this short-lived band, you will lots to love about their soulful brand of English hard rock. Let’s take a look at what is arguably their most beloved album.
“Black Cloud” is one of the band’s better known tracks. Immediately apparent is comparisons to Humble Pie and Steve Marriott. While this is certainly true to an extent, I find Hughes’ vocals to be a little smoother, more innocent and less weathered than the often gruff Marriott. In any case, “Black Cloud” is a great song, and much more uplifting than the title sounds. Trapeze were down to a trio at this point after two members left after their debut album earlier in 1970. One would think that this is a bad thing, but Trapeze cut out all the filler and provide a very clean guitar, drum, and bass sound. “Jury” starts off with a gentle acoustic guitar introduction with Hughes’ magnificent and angelic vocals accompanying the acoustic. The song then kicks into a Judas Priest-like riff that was certainly incredibly heavy upon its 1970 release. Hughes’ bass work is great on the track, proving again that is certainly one of the most underrated bassists in rock history, very bouncy and funky. A killer riff kicks in half-way through the song, and the influence the band had on Priest is immediately apparent, the song sounds like it could be off “Sad Wings of Destiny” or various other early Priest albums. A great track, you can actually hear Hughes’ voice go out at one point.
“Your Love is Alright” takes us back into funk/r and b territory. A funk-rock guitar and bass riff provides the backbone to the song, and what an infectious riff it is. My favorite part of the song is drummer Dave Holland, who provides a great deal of suspension and tension throughout the song, not really kicking in the drums until half-way through the song. Holland would actually go on and play with Judas Priest during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Sadly departed guitarist/singer Mel Galley also proves to be a great guitarist, providing slinky riffs throughout the track. A good song. “Touch My Life” deals with Hughes’ favorite topic, burning desire for a member of the fairer sex. A bluesy riff repeats all through the track, very Humble Pie-esque. I find the riff a little repetitive, and wish the song had a little more to it. Not one of my favorite tracks, despite very strong vocals.
“Seafull” brings us back into progressive rock territory. Gentle guitar chords are accompanied by soft and jazzy drums and stellar vocals that remind of contemporaries King Crimson. But the song diverges into blues-territory, showing that the bad often effortlessly merged blues, progressive rock, metal, and soul/r and b. Hughes has sang in a diverse range of bands, and has proved to be a great front man at whatever genre he has attempted. Despite being a little too long, I really enjoy Seafull, a great chill-out song to lay back to and take a load off (you know what I’m talking about…). “Makes You Wanna Cry” reminds me of the direction that Hughes would take with Deep Purple when he joined in 1973. Another funky tune, the song has a great groove, but could certainly benefit from a rhythm guitar player. The dual vocals of Hughes and Galley sound very good, but not as magical as the Hughes/Coverdale combo that would produce the classic MK. III Purple albums. I like the short guitar interlude/solo that happens before the song kicks back in, you think the song is over, then….boom…the riffs get heavier. A pretty good track, the mot Purple-like on the album.
The album closes with the title track. “Medusa” is another progressive/acoustic-tinged song at first. But the song again heads into a heavy blues-rock riff after about a minute. Hughes sounds amazing, probably his best vocal on the album. Great drumming and a smoking riff round out a great track. The solo is quite good also, and Galley is certainly underrated as well as the rest of the band, a very great talent who unfortunately met his end from cancer in 2008. A great track to close a great album.
“Medusa” is a great album. If you can find a copy (ebay prices are getting higher), you owe it to yourself to pick up this lost classic. Sadly, Hughes would leave the band just a few short years after this album. The band did produce studio material throughout the 1970s, but it was certainly not of the same caliber without the mighty Hughes on the mic. A very underrated gem of an album.
Rating-9/10
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