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First vinyl reissue (incredibly) of the much-loved one and only album by Freedom North, recorded by Brian Chater's Summerlea and released on the Aquarius label in 1970.
RANDOM COLOUR INSERTION - WILL IT BE BLACK, VIOLET, OR SILVER AND BLUE?
Based in Montreal, and known as Freedom, Freedom of Choice (for the US release of their debut single on Wand) -- and finally, Freedom North, the band had success with their first two singles, both released in 1970: 'Doctor Tom', which garnered radio airplay across Canada and attained the #2 spot on RPM's Top 50 Canadian Chart; and 'Losing You' which made it to #47 in the MAPL Top 50 Canadian Chart. Freedom North toured extensively, often with other Montreal bands such as Mashmakhan and April Wine.
There are plenty of options when trying to classify their sound -- if that's your thing. The reviews certainly make that point. Many tracks are clearly in range of being called psychedelic rock, using the current slack mode of declaring what is "psychedelic" (abundant fuzz guitar, in this case) -- while other songs edge towards hard rock/acid rock, and still others are late 1960's-esque pop/rock. Yet the band was tight and full of energy whatever sub-genre they were exploring, and thus the album is excellent throughout it's many phases and faces. The songs are superbly crafted and feature terrific soaring vocals by Franki Hart. As a side note, 'Losing You' somehow recently made an appearance on "Brown Acid: The Twenty-First Trip"... so no doubt quite a few of you have heard one more song by Freedom North than you thought, which hopefully inspires you all to investigate this reissue of their entire LP
Tracklist
Side 1
1. Ordinary Man 3:10
2. Take A Look At Me 3:11
3. Losing You 2:18
4. Seems To Me 2:36
5. Lonely Man 5:25
6. Dr. Tom 3:36
Side 2
1. Hey Carmen 3:11
2. Gone Forever 3:05
3. Sorry 2:39
4. Vancouver 2:36
5. Fat Man (B. Hill) 3:53 (B-side to 'Doctor Tom', AQ 5005)
6. Franki's Song (R. St. Jean - B. Hill) 2:07 (B-side to 'Gone Forever', AQ 5015)
7. Francy 2:15 (bonus track)
8. Time For Lovin' Is Now 2:04 (bonus track)