(Rock / Psych / Prog) Master's Apprentices - Choice Cuts - 1971, FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

A highly-rated band who formed in Adelaide in 1965. Their diverse musical styles ranged from R'n'B to psychedelic rock to heavy rock. They were one of Australia's most popular bands of the sixties and their talent has continued to be recognised to this day.

They formed out of the instrumental outfit The Mustangs who started playing raucous R'n'B material penned by their guitarist Mick Bower and took on vocalist Jim Keays at the same time.

In early 1967 they moved to Melbourne and put out their eponymous debut album, which contained both sides of their first two singles to name some of its fine original material. It also contained a splattering of cover versions like I Feel Fine, Johnny B. Goode and My Girl.

They started out as one of Australia's top R'n'B bands in the sixties and had moved into psych-pop territory towards the end of the decade. They had veered towards progressivism by the start of the seventies and Turn Up Your Radio in 1970 gave them their first and only Top 10 hit. This was pure pop, but on the flip side was Jam It Up, a Led Zeppelin-style heavy metal raver that didn't appear on album, until Raven included it on their 1987 Jam It Up! rarities album.

By 1971 The Masters' had established themselves as one of Australia's finest progressive music acts. They were living in England in this era and that clearly helped keep them fully abreast of the latest trends. Their Choice Cuts album and Because I Love You 45 were both recorded at Abbey Road's No. 2 studio. The 45 gave them a No. 12 National hit. It was a strong song, superbly arranged and has stood the test of time well. The album could be termed hard progressive rock. Doug Ford's inventive guitar skills are in evidence on tracks like I'm Your Satisfier, Death Of A King and Song For A Lost Gypsy. Other songs which catch the ear are the haunting Michael, the latin-flavoured Rio De Camero, the pop classic Because I Love You and Our Friend Owsley Stanley III, which at times recalls the style of Jethro Tull (and is about the legendary U.S. underground manufacturer of L.S.D.).

The same year The Masters' also released a live album, Nickelodeon. It was recorded just after they arrived back from England for an Australian tour in December 1970. It's notable for being one of the first live albums recorded in Australia, but in truth is disappointing. The better moments include a spirited version of Because I Love You and Doug Ford's Future Of Our Nation which features a series of his lead solo's. This track was issued as a 45 with a non-album cut, the folksy New Day on the flip. Much of the album was self-indulgent with the nineteen-minute version of Spooky Tooth's Evil Woman typical of the malaise. Now, ironically, the album is a sought-after rarity and has even been pirated, but if it's quality music you're seeking beware!

However, their A Toast To Panama Red album, also recorded at Abbey Road studios the following year, was superb by contrast. Much of the material, as one would expect, was riffy hard rock with some great freaky guitar moments exemplified on cuts like The Lesson So Listen, Southern Cross, Melodies Of St. Kilda and The Answer Lies Beyond. However, there's plenty of variety too. Games We Play Parts 1 and 2 is heavily orchestrated and classical influenced á la The Moody Blues. The final cut Thyme To Rhyme was a lovely more reflective folksy number. Two cuts from the album, Southern Cross and Melodies Of St. Kilda, later resurfaced on Raven's Golden Miles CD. When the album was first released it sank without trace, now it's regarded in retrospect as a milestone in Aussie progressive rock.

After releasing the album the band split up. Jim Keays went solo, Doug Ford and Colin Burgess were two thirds of a new trio in the U.K.. Glenn Wheatley pursued a future in band management. They did re-form in 1988, recording a new album Do What You Wanna Do.

In 1974, Jim Keays compiled a 'Best Of' album for EMI Now That It's Over. It was a good selection of 45 'A' and 'B' sides and album tracks and came with enthusiastic liner notes from fan and writer Howard Lindley. A farewell 45, Rio De Camero/Thyme To Rhyme was also issued, but didn't sell well with no band to plug it.

- Colin Burgess / drums
- Doug Ford / guitar, vocals
- Jim Keays / vocals, harmonica
- Glen Wheatley / bass, vocals