Liberation Suite

Description

The self-titled debut album by the American formed – and later British based – rock band Liberation Suite was released in the UK on Myrrh Records in 1975, a division of Word. The album was recorded November 11 through December 12. 1974 at R.G. Jones Studios in London, England; with John Pantry producing. The band actually originated in Texas, USA, though soon moved to Great Britain, where they found their greatest success. Their debut album quickly became a classic, and was nominated as one of the top three releases in a Reader’s Poll conducted by the British gospel magazine Buzz.

Liberation Suite had been brought by the Lord to the UK first in Ireland then England. When we played at the Greenbelt Arts Fest, record companies from London started talking to us. Its funny that we signed with Word UK whose parent company (sort of) was in Texas. I loved recording in England. Very condusive to creativity. – Barry Bynum, Liberation Suite

25 years ago a bunch of long hairs from Texas felt called to Belfast to minister through music. Sacrificing everything they had, they moved to Europe and played their unique brand of Christian rock in churches, on the streets and anywhere where they could reach people. Their self-titled debut album is a Jesus music classic and rightly so. Recorded in London at the back end of 1974 with John Pantry producing, Lib Suite’s trademark vocal harmonies are layered on top of a mix of music. This album embraces the southern rock’n’roll sound of «Led To Roam», the acoustic folkiness of «My Lord Is A Remedy» and «Run, Run Lucifer» and the quarter of a century which has passed since the tape machine stopped rolling has actually treated it rather kindly. Digitally re-mastered from the original master tapes, it shines up well and although firmly placed in its time by its innocence, there is no doubt that the band’s ministry made an impact. The strong presence of the band’s horn section have their music a strong identity and garnered comparisons with Blood, Sweat & Tears and Chicago. The funky «Oh Lord You Know (That I Feel So Fine)» and their cover of Clapton’s «Presence Of The Lord» (rumours were rife that Eric was a Christian at the time) both still do the business for me. The Lib Suite classic «Reachin’ For The Sky» originates from this set. Surprisingly the band have only made two more albums together in the last 25 years though there are plans for a new album in the near future. They called it Jesus music back then and the current scene could learn something from the uncompromising songwriting contained here where crossing over meant nothing less than getting the cross of Christ over to people listening. [Mike Rimmer, Cross Rhythms, July 2005]

In the world of rock music, I often abide by the equation “horns = barf”. There are exceptions, however, and Liberation Suite is most definitely one of them. This band is actually a group of Americans (five long-haired guys from San Marcos, Texas) that ended up with an extended stay in the UK where they hooked up with producer John Pantry to record this Jesus music classic. The brass section definitely adds pep to their FM rock sound, much like the early Chicago LPs. Some feisty rock grooves and jamming electric guitar within «Led To Roam», «Run Run Lucifer» and the funky «Oh Lord, You Know (That I Feel So Fine)». Also samplings of country rock («My Lord Is A Remedy»), melodic ballads («Reachin’ For The Sky») and a cover of Eric Clapton’s «Presence Of The Lord». The standout track would have to be «Hearken», a beautiful lengthy shimmering acoustic piece. Nice flute activity in spots, sometimes with a Tull-ish flair. Also released on Myrrh in the US (MSA 6557), but the British pressing gets the superior treatment with its textured gate-fold cover. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th Edition]

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LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Led To Roam” – 2:48
A2. “Run, Run, Lucifer” – 4:43
A3. “My Lord Is A Remedy” – 3:06
A4. “Oh Lord, You Know (That I Feel So Fine)” – 4:07
A5. “Reachin’ For The Sky” – 4:18

Side Two
B1. “More Than A Matter” – 3:58
B2. “Presence Of The Lord” – 4:21
B3. “Hearken” – 5:52
B4. “I Wanna Be With You” – 3:59

Note: The LP was originally released housed in a gatefold sleeve. Digitally remastered from the original master tapes and re-issued on CD by Sweet Dreams Records as a 25th Anniversary Edition, featuring two bonus tracks: a radio interview in England from 1974 as well as a live version of “I Want To Be With You” from a concert in Orebro, Sweden in 1976 (that included “new” band members, brothers Duane and Terry Clark as well as Stephen Houston from the British progressive rock band Fruupp). The CD also includes a 12 page booklet with historical notes written by historian and author, Paul Baker, and never before published photos from the original recording session.

Liberation Suite at R.G. Jones Studios in London, England, 1974.