ROOM Pre-Flight (Full Album) 1970 UK Mega Rare Deram Prog LP £2300

In 1969 the UK Progressive band Room won second prize in a Melody Maker talent contest leading to their releasing this incredibly rare LP `Pre-Flight` on the UK Decca subsidiary label Deram in 1970. Though the label invested in the recording, production and mastering they didn’t invest in the promotion of the album and so it sold poorly making it very rare today. It was released in a single front laminated sleeve on the Red & White Deram label (SML 1073). A Mint copy sold in 2013 for £2396, near mint copies usually fetch around £1000 mark so with prices increasing it`s definitely worth looking out for.

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Side 1
1. Pre-Flight (Part 1 & 11)
2. Where Did I Go Wrong
3. No Warmth In My Life
4. Big John Blues
Side 2
1. Andromeda
2. War
3. Cemetry Junction Parts 1 & 11

Formed in 1968, Room was a quintet from Blandford Forum, Dorset that made one album for Decca after winning second prize at a Melody Maker talent contest in ’69. The unit included guitarist Steve Edge and featured the unique voice of Jane Kevern, Roy Putt bass, Bob Jenkins percussion and the lead guitar of Chris Williams. They merged heavy psychedelic rock, progressive jazz and orchestration.

‘Pre-Flight’ was released in 1970 sporting an antique triplane on the cover and though mostly ignored, proved to be a more than worthy contribution to the growing progressive art scene. The strings and brass were arranged at ‘Tin Pan Alley’ by Steve Edge and the album was recorded at Decca’s West Hampstead studios in one or two days.

Adventurous and rather accomplished for their time, Room were a cut above the average band taking advantage of rock’s new voice, and ‘Pre-Flight’ is a little treasure.