Rhinoceros - Rhinoceros (Reissue) (1969/2002)

The product of producer Paul Rothchild, Rhinoceros was conceived, planned and executed as a 'supergroup'. This was the groups' reason d'entre, and ultimately, their downfall. Pieced together after a marathon series of jams at the producers' house in the spring of 1968, the goal was to create the heaviest band of the time. Rothchild and Elektra came very, very close. Former members of Iron Butterfly (Danny Weiss/guitar), The Daily Flash & Buffalo Springfield (Doug Hastings/guitar) as well as some highly respected studio aces such as Billy Mundi on drums, they formed a very good band indeed, but not really a group. Fortunately, although the chemistry is a bit skewed, the music isn't half bad. There are some excellent soul-drenched rock & soul recordings here, such as the albums' opener, "When You Say You're Sorry" to possibly one of the best ever versions of "You're My Girl," the group was capable of some mighty music. One of the tracks, the heavy instrumental "Apricot Brandy" was used as the theme for a BBC television. Ultimately, though, the group couldn't last under the weight of the billing. However, this record is one of the finest sounding, tightest performed albums of the period.