Freedom

The impact made in Britain in the 60s by legendary American blues artists such as Muddy Waters, Little Walter and Howlin’ Wolf cannot be overstated. With their loud guitars, soulful voices and sexually charged lyrics, they inspired a new generation of aspiring young UK bands to throw off their inhibitions and make music that had the same brashly unapologetic energy and raw power. By plugging in and cranking up the volume they succeeded in capturing the imagination of the youth of the day.

Freedom were one of many groups that grew from that particularly fertile period that saw the likes of Alexis Korner, John Mayall, The Yardbirds and of course the Rolling Stones come to the fore. Comprising former members of the highly successful Procol Harum, the band recorded fresh original material that put them at the cutting edge of what became known as blues rock all the while covering classics by their role models.

Freedom At Last is one of the best albums the group made in a relatively short life cycle. At times loud, hard and aggressive and at times mellow and introspective, the music showcases the compositional strengths of Bobby Harrison and co, while the reprises of anthems by the likes of Howlin’ Wolf, Willie Dixon and Junior Wells makes it clear the band knew where it was going because it did not forget where it came from.

This newly remastered version of Freedom At Last is a very timely reminder of the vibrant work of a British band that made premium blues rock with attitude.