Hard Meat - The Space Between - The Recordings 1969-1970

Considering they were only together for a little over two years, they only released two albums and are definitely not a band that most people have ever heard of, it would seem quite unlikely that Hard Meat would ever be given the box set treatment, but one listen to this three-disc set, The Space Between – The Recordings 1969-1970, and it’s obvious they are definitely very deserving.  The music is diverse and a bit ahead of its time with Mick Dolan’s impressive guitar playing, both acoustic and electric, leading the way, accompanied by his brother Steve on bass and some very creative drumming from Mick Carless (sadly all three have now passed away and never got to see this release).  The band formed in 1968, were quickly signed to Island Records and recorded an album set for release in 1969.  In preparation for the album’s release, they issued a single with a cover of The Beatles’ “Rain” on the A-side and the original “Burning Up Years” on the flip.  Even though the album was completely recorded, the band was dropped from the label prior to its release and with the exception of the two tracks on the single, it remained unreleased until its inclusion here.  Not long after being dropped the band signed with Warner Bros and released two albums in 1970 (both included here) before breaking up in early 1971. 

Instead of starting with disc one I’m going to jump ahead to disc three, which is the previously unreleased album that was set to be their debut and is now seeing the light of day thirty-three years later.  They open with two of the album’s three covers with their take on The Beatles “Rain” (also the A-side to the single that was to precede the album), and Dylan’s “Most Likely You’ll Go Your Way, I’ll Go Mine”.  With The Beatles’ track they do a great job of respecting the original while still making it their own, especially with the psychedelic guitars, and the Dylan track has a bit of a rootsy feel to it with some piano that brings to mind The Band.  “Liquid Boats” is a gorgeous instrumental that is an acoustic guitar showcase with hints of a Spanish feel.  The horn-laden, bluesy rocker “Walking Down Up Street” is reminiscent of the early days of Chicago, although a little heavier.  The album’s second instrumental, the awkwardly titled “Erection”, is an interesting cut.  It is largely a drum solo with guitar and bass accompaniment (also with a little mouth harp) that merges prog with some jazz vibes (especially in the drumming).  Next up is the final cover and one that on paper seems a strange choice, but to their credit they really make work.  In their very capable hands “Strange Fruit” (of course most notably performed by Billie Holiday) is a very sparse acoustic version that is extremely haunting.  In the CD booklet Richie Havens is mentioned as an influence and that can really be heard on “Run Shaker Life”, which mixes acoustic and slightly proggy electric guitars with congas and an easygoing groove making it one of the album highlights.  “Burning Up Years” was the flipside to the single and is a solid rocker with a hint of prog, especially in the shifting tempos, along with some blues.  “Don’t Chase Your Tail” closes things out and is another rootsier tune that is really hypnotic and is again at times reminiscent of The Band. 

Not wasting any time, shortly after that album was shelved, they were back with their eponymous debut (disc one in this collection), which included new versions of two tracks from the unreleased album and five new tracks.  Kicking things off is “Through A Window”, ironically also the title of their second release, a tune that combines swirling acoustic and electric guitars with shifting tempos that give it an early prog groove.  “Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow” is a mellow, dreamy sounding tune full of swirling psychedelic guitar that at times have a hint of jazz, while “Space Between” takes the psychedelia in more of a blues direction.  Even though you would be hard pressed to find a bad track in this whole box, “My Time Shows No Face” stands head and shoulders above them all and should have been a huge hit.  It is an extremely catchy, hook heavy cut with a rootsier sound driven by acoustic guitar, gentle drums, piano and enhanced by flute from Mighty Baby’s Ian Whiteman.  “Run Shaker Life”, the first rerecorded track, is expanded here from its original four and a half minutes to over ten.  It still has the Richie Havens vibe but is a bit heavier and harder edged with a lot of jamming and is full of shifting tempos with some outstanding guitar work.  Closing out the disc are the laid-back psychedelic blues shuffle of “Universal Joint”, which is a bit reminiscent of Cream, and a new take on the Dylan cover “Most Likely You Go Your Way, I’ll Go Mine”, which isn’t too radically different here. 

Later in 1970 the band was back with their sophomore effort Through A Window, which is a little mellower than the debut, but just as strong.  Opener “On The Road” is a six plus minute track that has a loose jam feel to it with some hints of psychedelia and more great guitar.  Highlighted by strong harmonies, some gorgeous acoustic guitar along with some flute, “New Day” is a pretty ballad with an interesting upbeat, jam-like breakdown in the middle complete with congas.  The instrumental “Freewheel” is a laid-back track full of really great acoustic guitar and some light jazz influenced drumming, while “Smile As You Go Under” is a really catchy mellow rocker.  Next up are a couple of covers with the rocking blues of Graham Bond’s “I Want You”, which has some nice longer instrumental passages and “From The Prison”, a stark, acoustic folk tune written by Jerry Merrick and originally recorded by Richie Havens (Havens’ influence is very present once again here).   Perfectly titled, “A Song Of Summer” is just that, an upbeat track that is just a real feel-good song.  Gorgeous harmonies, a nice mix of acoustic and electric guitars and a little organ come together to create a powerful midtempo rocker with “Love” (credited in the liner notes to Bob Whale) and closing out the disc is “The Ballad Of Marmalade Emma and Teddy Grimes”, which was released as a single and again had all the makings of a hit.  Based on the true story of a couple of vagrants in Colchester it's an acoustic guitar driven track with a mellow, easygoing groove that's at times reminiscent of The Faces.

Following the album's release, the band did some US and UK touring, including opening for The Flying Burrito Brothers on their 1970 UK tour.  In January 1971, as they were preparing to do another US tour, Carless decided to leave the band, and shortly after the brothers decided to close the book on the band.  The brothers went on to form Big Front Yard, who were said to sound quite similar to Hard Meat, but only released one single.  Mick Dolan also went on to do a lot of engineering and producing at Millstream Recording Studio in Chelteham.  Rounding out the box is a very informative booklet with an essay giving a great history of the band and lots of pictures and memorabilia.  Esoteric and Cherry Red have done it again, giving another greatly underappreciated band their well-deserved just due.

(Esoteric Recordings)