Reinforcements

by Jim NewsomWhat a surprise this album was to Brian Auger fans. Leaving behind the Jimmy Smith-meets-Santana groove the band had been working, Reinforcements finds the Oblivion Express veering onto the Average White Band's turf. Most of the tracks, in fact, sound like they were lifted right off the first couple of AWB albums. The music is uniformly strong, but the change in direction unfortunately did nothing to increase the band's audience, and may have sounded to some like a too-blatant attempt at commercial acceptance. Auger's electric piano and organ continue to dominate the solo space, and provide the connection to the band's earlier sound. Alex Ligertwood's soulful vocals here are stronger than any previous outing. Although it is unlike any other Oblivion Express recording, Reinforcements provides a tasty glimpse of British blue-eyed soul in the mid-'70s.