{"product_id":"brian-augers-oblivion-express-closer-to-it-remastered","title":"BRIAN AUGER'S OBLIVION EXPRESS - Closer To It (Remastered)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #ff0000;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLP - Standard Edition Black Vinyl. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrian Auger\u003c\/strong\u003e formed \u003cstrong\u003eThe Oblivion Express\u003c\/strong\u003e in 1970 after the demise of his chart topping jazz \u0026amp; R\u0026amp;B combo \u003cstrong\u003eJulie Driscoll, Brian Auger, and The Trinity\u003c\/strong\u003e. Deciding he would continue to defy creative expectations with his genre bending vision, Auger even based the groups name around this precarious anti-commercial approach; “I decided that I would like to push on and see whether I could develop that music\" he recalls, \"but maybe I’m headed the quickest way to oblivion!”.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAuger needn't have worried, the bands first slew of albums; the heavy, jazz rock influenced debut '\u003cem\u003eOblivion Express\u003c\/em\u003e, ' 1971s laconic, folky '\u003cem\u003eA Better Land\u003c\/em\u003e', the proto jazz funk of '\u003cem\u003eStraight Ahead\u003c\/em\u003e' released in 1972, all made serious inroads into the United States, which proved to particularly fertile ground for the group.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy 1973, the London born Auger felt his various American influences of jazz, R\u0026amp;B, funk and soul had fermented into his own brand of fusion, and upon listening to the final mixes, was confident he was approaching his original musical mission, hence naming the album \u003cem\u003eCloser To It\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's predecessor, Straight Ahead had hit the US charts, and awoken \u003cstrong\u003eRCA Records\u003c\/strong\u003e to the crossover potential of this somewhat undefinable music, who stepped up their game in regards the follow up, which broke out in the Tri State area, where it received major radio and press support and billboard advertising whilst the band were touring. All these factors combined favourably and resulted in \u003cem\u003eCloser To It\u003c\/em\u003e entering the Billboard Jazz, R\u0026amp;B and Rock charts simultaneously!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a British multi-racial group composed of fans of African American music, this was both creatively and commercially satisfying. This acceptance of the Oblivion Express’ sound and style also led to the band touring with Herbie Hancock's Head-hunters and Earth Wind \u0026amp; Fire, and Brian receiving a US Congressional Certificate of Special Recognition for his ‘contribution to the American art form of Jazz’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRegarded as his masterpiece, \u003cem\u003eCloser To It\u003c\/em\u003e features some of Augers' most inventive and beautiful Hammond Organ and Fender Rhodes playing, on tunes that become the defining tracks of his career, especially the anthemic opener \u003cem\u003eWhenever You're Ready\u003c\/em\u003e, co-written with bass player \u003cstrong\u003eBarry Dean\u003c\/strong\u003e. \u003cem\u003eHappiness Is Just Around The Bend\u003c\/em\u003e was later covered by \u003cstrong\u003eCuba Gooding Snrs\u003c\/strong\u003e' band \u003cstrong\u003eThe Main Ingredient\u003c\/strong\u003e who had a major hit with their version. Auger also saluted his soul and jazz hero's with his versions of \u003cstrong\u003eMarvin Gaye\u003c\/strong\u003e's \u003cem\u003eInner City Blues\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eEddie Harris\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eLes McCann\u003c\/strong\u003e's classic \u003cem\u003eCompared To What\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith an iconic cover featuring the Oblivion Express train logo designed by Auger's wife \u003cstrong\u003eElla\u003c\/strong\u003e. \u003cem\u003eCloser To It\u003c\/em\u003e remains a highpoint in Auger's recording career.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Soul Bank Music","offers":[{"title":"LP - Vinyl","offer_id":53717843378521,"sku":"SDZ-04929","price":17.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0588\/3455\/0945\/files\/Brian_Auger_s_Oblivion_Express_-_Closer_To_It__Remastered__-_2025_Reissue.jpg?v=1732115867","url":"https:\/\/spindizzyrecords.com\/products\/brian-augers-oblivion-express-closer-to-it-remastered","provider":"Spindizzy Dublin","version":"1.0","type":"link"}