13th Hour

Personnel: Brian Parker , Mick Ware (vocals, guitar); Robbie Leggat (vocals).
Recording information: Livid Studio, Devon (2009); Village Studio, Essex (2009).
A new album by one of the largely unsung heroes of the early-'70s prog boom, 13th Hour is also notable for the resuscitation of three unreleased songs dating back to the band's glory days. "Evolution," "Where," and the title track were originally recorded in 1973 or so, and having sat on the shelf for more than three decades, have finally been given their moment in the sun -- albeit in oddly hybrid form. Only late drummer John Parker's parts remain untouched on the versions included here; the remainder of the songs were re-recorded during the album sessions -- although you probably wouldn't know it. This is classic Consortium make no mistake. Likewise their re-recording of "All the Love in the World," their 1969 hit single -- revisited to mark its fortieth anniversary, and still sounding like a record you've loved your whole life through, even if the vocals do sound a little shakier than you remember! The remainder of the set (bar the bonus inclusion of the full-length title track) is new material, but anybody with fond memories of the original band will have no trouble recognizing the ingredients, a quality that renders 13th Hour a stunning addition to the old collection. ~ Dave Thompson