Power of Zeus - "The Gospel According to Zeus" - 1970

Power of Zeus was formed in 1968 by Detroit Vocalist/guitarist Joe Periano shortly after his discharge from the Marine Corps. Joe was joined by bassist/vocalist Bill Jones, drummer  Bob Michalski, and hammond organ player Dennie Webber. Originally going by the name Gangrene, the Cream/Zeppelin/Sabbath influenced heavy rock quartet became the un-official house band at the Wooden Nickle club where they were initially spotted by a local manager. Motown psych-oriented subsidary Rare Earth signed the band on the condition they find a new name. Having decided on Power of Zeus they began work on what would be their sole release, 1970's "The Gospel According to Zeus" LP. The relationship between band and label was strainedwith the former claiming that the ltter had no experience of releasing a heavy rock album and the Motown producers failed to nail the bands crunchier live sound on tape. Certainly the LP is removed from the distorto-trash coming out of fellow Detroit rockers the MC5 and the Stooges, but what it lacks in grime it makes up for in funkiness. Hammond, bass, & drums are to the fore with production as fat and full as you would expect from Motown producers.
The LP was pretty much a flop at the time, but since then it has become a highly sought after item, attaining genuine legendary standards among record collectors.

Freedom - "Through the Years" - 1971

Freedom was a psychedelic rock band from the late 60's and 70's featuring founding members of Procal Harem.
Ray Royer and Bobby Harrison has both performed on Procal Harums hit A Whiter Shade of Pale were kicked out of PH by vocalist Gary Booker and were replaced by Robin Trower and Barry Wilson. Royer and Harrison then formed Freedom with Steve Shirly and Tony Marsh, who was immediately replaced by pianist Mike Lease, releasing two German singles andthe soundtrack for the Tinto Brass/ Deno DeLaurentiis film Attraction. (also known as Black on White).
In 1968 Harrison overhauled the entire lineupand began recording with a more hard rock sound scoring dates with Black Sabbath, Jethro Tull, and the James Gang. The acheived great renown for their version of the Beatles '"Cry Baby Cry" on their Second album: Freedom at Last. Further lineup changes occurred before the band splintered in 1972, with Harrison going on to SNAFU.

 

Discography: 

Black on White (1969)

Freedom at Last (1970)

Freedom (1970)

Through the Years (1971)

Is More Than A Word (1972)

Dryewater - "Southpaw" - 1974

Now a highly regarded collectors piece by fans of early 70's hard rock, Dryewaters "Southpaw" was released to little fanfare on the J.T.B. Label (independant) in 1974. The North Carolina four piece pressed only 500 copies of the album (fewer still with covers!), if that isn't bad enough, the band destroyed copies that didn't sell, adding an even bigger obstacle to obtaining one.
Maybe they had higher expectations for the album, as the songwriting would lead you to believe. The ten original compositions show a very confident release by a very prolific lineup. Strong rythm guitar dominates the L.P. but also evedent is some melodic slightly progressive keyboard work that both underpins the occational acid guitar solo maintains the overallmomentum of the work.
With a strong rhythm section and great vocals this album makes for a strong roller coaster ride.
(Forced Exposure mailorder)

Personnel:
Garland Walker Stidham
Richard Drye
Robert Blair
Shaye Drye

Badge & Company - s/t 1977

SOUTHER BLUESROCK AT IT'S BEST!!!
Badge & Company was a psychedelic blues rock band from Augusta. The band formed in 1976 with members Randy E. Coven (vocals. bass & fiddle), lead guitarist Terry D. Williams, and drummer Virgil Eugene Martin.
A psychedelic blues delight ala Moving Sidewalks, and early ZZTop. This southern rock trio surgically strike at what other like-genre bands feign. This little 'ole album is soul quenching. A primed side of beefed up Texan psychedelia and weirdness smothered in southern blues. ( http://www.numusi.de/)