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IF ~ IF 4 REPERTOIRE 1098 (Barcode: 4009910109823) ~ UK ~ Brass Rock Recorded: 1972Released: 2007 4th album by the superb British Jazz-Rock ensemble IfFind albums by this artist, recorded "live in the studio" and unfortunately the last recording by the original lineup of the group. In spite of intensive touring in the US and Europe, the band never had a chance to record live (which was almost compulsory then) and this was their attempt to recreate the atmosphere of their gigs. Although recorded in a studio, it is live in every respect, i.e. a large crowd was present in the studio during the recording and no overdubs or other studio trickery were used in the recording. The resident band composers came up with a great set of new tunes, rehearsed on the road before the actual recording captured here. This recording is closer in spirit to the first two albums the band recorded, full of spontaneity and superb extended soloing. The guitar work by Terry SmithFind albums by this artist is absolutely outlandish and the other players follow suit. The 10+ minutes opening track is alone worth the price of any album and a superb example of the Jazz-Rock at its best in every respect. Unfortunately shortly after this session and a brief personal change the band fell apart as a result of Dick MorrisseyFind albums by this artist´s illness. Although Morrissey revamped the band later on, which recorded three more albums using the If moniker, those were far apart from the glorious material recorded by the original group. For various management and contractual reasons this album was not released in the US in its entirety (as were the first three albums); instead the "WaterfallFind albums with this title" album released in the US included some of the material present here with the addition of different material recorded for that particular release. This is an essential Jazz-Rock recording of the highest musical quality and an indispensible item in any serious music collection.
