Blues Image - Open (1970) [Remastered 2004]

Blues Image's second album was their most successful, in large part because of the inclusion of their huge hit single "Ride Captain Ride." The rest of the record, however, shows them to be a band in search of a more individual voice, borrowing heavily as it does from Jimi Hendrix ("Love Is the Answer," "Pay My Dues"), Creedence Clearwater Revival ("Running the Water"), any number of average blues-rock bands ("Clean Love"), and the Latin-rock fusion of Santana ("La Bamba," "Consuelate," and the instrumental "Wrath of Daisey"). Those familiar only with "Ride Captain Ride" might be surprised at the band's versatility, which took in blues, Latin, and hard rock, though not in as even or striking a mixture as, say, Santana. It's a pedestrian form of versatility, though, with none of the other songs possessing the pop hooks of "Ride Captain Ride." The 2004 CD reissue on Sundazed adds historical liner notes with quotes from guitarist Mike Pinera and percussionist Joe Lala.