Brian Auger’s 'Streetnoise', recorded in 1969 with Julie Driscoll and The Trinity, stands as a landmark of late 1960s eclecticism, where the boundaries of jazz, rock, folk, and soul blur into a cohesive, genre-defying masterpiece.

Auger was moving The Trinity on from their R&B, jazz beginnings and for 'Streetnoise', together with Driscoll, delivered a record that channelled their mutually progressive vision. Julie's haunting vocal performances were the perfect counterpoint to Auger’s innovative instrumentation, creating a sound that was both avant-garde yet deeply soulful. “We aimed to challenge expectations, ” Auger recalls. “Every track was a canvas to experiment and push the envelope.”

The album’s gatefold sleeve design, created by Ralph Steadman, inspired by William Hogarth's 18th-century satirical etchings, was as groundbreaking as its music. This was not just a cover, it was a bold statement about art and society, perfectly mirroring the music’s blend of historical reverence and forward-thinking innovation.

Musically, 'Streetnoise' is a kaleidoscope of styles including jazz and R&B, fusion, folk, rock and gospel flourishes. 'Ellis Island', and 'Finally Found You Out' are both intense instrumentals that embody the intense fusion of jazz and rock the group was known for. 'Indian Rope Man' is one of the standout tracks. A cover of Richie Havens' original, that inspired The Charlatans ‘Indian Rope’ and 'All Blues', a bold reinterpretation of Miles Davis’ iconic 'Kind of Blue' masterpiece, on which Driscoll's vocal performance may be the highlight. 'Flesh Failures (Let the Sunshine In)' is a hauntingly beautiful cover of the finale from the musical Hair. Auger's own compositions from the opening instrumental 'Tropic Of Capricorn', to the introspective solo piano and vocal Looking In The Eye Of The World' display Brian's multiple talents.

Celebrated for its fearless creativity across all 16 tracks, the album is testament to Brian Auger and Julie Driscoll’s visionary artistry. It remains a must-listen for anyone exploring the dynamic intersections of jazz, rock, and soul. The album’s reputation has only grown with time, cementing its legacy as a cornerstone of experimental music.

'Streetnoise'; A wholly unique album from an equally unique group

TRACK LISTING

1. Tropic Of Capricorn
2. Czechoslovakia
3. Take Me To The Water
4. A Word About Colour
5. Light My Fire
6. Indian Rope Man
7. When I Was A Young Girl
8. Flesh Failures (Let The Sunshine In)
9. Ellis Island
10. In Search Of The Sun
11.. Finally Found You Out
12. Looking In The Eye Of The World
13. Vauxhall To Lambeth Bridge
14. All Blues
15. I’ve Got Life
16. Save The Country

Brian Auger formed The Oblivion Express in 1970 after the demise of his chart topping jazz & R&B combo Julie Driscoll, Brian Auger, and The Trinity. Deciding he would continue to defy creative expectations with his genre bending vision, Auger even based the groups name around this precarious anti-commercial approach; “I decided that I would like to push on and see whether I could develop that music" he recalls, "but maybe I’m headed the quickest way to oblivion!”.

Auger needn't have worried, the bands first slew of albums; the heavy, jazz rock influenced debut 'Oblivion Express', 1971s laconic, folky 'A Better Land', the proto jazz funk of 'Straight Ahead' released in 1972, all made serious inroads into the United States, which proved to particularly fertile ground for the group.

By 1973, the London born Auger felt his various American influences of jazz, R&B, funk and soul had fermented into his own brand of fusion, and upon listening to the final mixes, was confident he was approaching his original musical mission, hence naming the album 'Closer To It'.

It's predecessor, 'Straight Ahead' had hit the US charts, and awoken RCA Records to the crossover potential of this somewhat undefinable music, who stepped up their game in regards the follow up, which broke out in the Tri State area, where it received major radio and press support and billboard advertising whilst the band were touring. All these factors combined favourably and resulted in Closer To It entering the Billboard Jazz, R&B and Rock charts simultaneously!

For a British multi-racial group composed of fans of African American music, this was both creatively and commercially satisfying. This acceptance of the Oblivion Express’ sound and style also led to the band touring with Herbie Hancock's Head-hunters and Earth Wind & Fire, and Brian receiving a US Congressional Certificate of Special Recognition for his ‘contribution to the American art form of Jazz’.

Regarded as his masterpiece, 'Closer To It' features some of Augers' most inventive and beautiful Hammond Organ and Fender Rhodes playing, on tunes that become the defining tracks of his career, especially the anthemic opener Whenever You're Ready, co-written with bass player Barry Dean. Happiness Is Just Around The Bend was later covered by Cuba Gooding Snrs' band The Main Ingredient who had a major hit with their version. Auger also saluted his soul and jazz hero's with his versions of Marvin Gays Inner City Blues and Eddie Harris, Les McCann's classic Compared To What.

With an iconic cover featuring the Oblivion Express train logo designed by Auger's wife Ella. Closer To It remains a highpoint in Auger's recording career.

TRACK LISTING

1. Whenever You’re Ready
2. Happiness Is Just Around The Bend
3. Light On The Path
4. Compared To What
5. Inner City Blues
6. Voices Of Other Times

Live albums are often a ‘hit or miss’ affair but ‘Live Oblivion’ 1 & 2 buck that trend, Recorded across 2 nights in 1974 at the Hollywood venue The Whisky A Go Go. The group were finishing off a huge US tour that had roared down the east coast then across the Midwest and by the time they hit LA, as Brian recalls “we were all absolutely performing at our height. So I decided that I really needed to record the band live at that point”. Utilising the Wally Heider Mobile Truck, the scene was set for one of the greatest jazz-fusion live recordings to be made. The show opens with a hyper fast version of Beginning Again due to drummer Steve Ferrone being almost an hour late and running high on adrenaline, Brian remembers thinking “I don’t even know if I can play it that fast!” Fortunately, he and the Oblivion Express including stellar vocalist Alex Ligertwood rise to the challenge and the result is akin to some frenetic jazzy drum & bass but also pushes the group onto another level altogether for the rest of the show. Across both volumes there are no fillers and the highlights are many - Bumpin’ On Sunset, Freedom Jazz Dance, and Inner City Blues are all stunning, but especially the epic version of Maiden Voyage which Mos Def sampled on his 1997 'If You Can Huh! You Can Hear', and both DJ Mitsu in 2004 and 2017 Crimeapple both dipped into Live Oblivion to sample that fire for their own projects.

Auger, in the original liner notes opines how live recordings can often have drawbacks but "I hope that spirit shines through" Live Oblivion 1 & 2, 50 years on from being committed to tape, certainly achieve that and much more. 

TRACK LISTING

1. Beginning Again
2. Don't Look Away
3. Bumpin' On Sunset
4. Truth 

Live albums are often a ‘hit or miss’ affair but ‘Live Oblivion’ 1 & 2 buck that trend, Recorded across 2 nights in 1974 at the Hollywood venue The Whisky A Go Go. The group were finishing off a huge US tour that had roared down the east coast then across the Midwest and by the time they hit LA, as Brian recalls “we were all absolutely performing at our height. So I decided that I really needed to record the band live at that point”. Utilising the Wally Heider Mobile Truck, the scene was set for one of the greatest jazz-fusion live recordings to be made. The show opens with a hyper fast version of Beginning Again due to drummer Steve Ferrone being almost an hour late and running high on adrenaline, Brian remembers thinking “I don’t even know if I can play it that fast!” Fortunately, he and the Oblivion Express including stellar vocalist Alex Ligertwood rise to the challenge and the result is akin to some frenetic jazzy drum & bass but also pushes the group onto another level altogether for the rest of the show. Across both volumes there are no fillers and the highlights are many - Bumpin’ On Sunset, Freedom Jazz Dance, and Inner City Blues are all stunning, but especially the epic version of Maiden Voyage which Mos Def sampled on his 1997 'If You Can Huh! You Can Hear', and both DJ Mitsu in 2004 and 2017 Crimeapple both dipped into Live Oblivion to sample that fire for their own projects.

Auger, in the original liner notes opines how live recordings can often have drawbacks but "I hope that spirit shines through" Live Oblivion 1 & 2, 50 years on from being committed to tape, certainly achieve that and much more. 

TRACK LISTING

1. Freedom Jazz Dance
2. Happiness Is Just Around The Bend
3. Maiden Voyage
4. Second Wind
5. Whenever You're Ready
6. Inner City Blues
7. Straight Ahead
8. Compared To What 

Auger Incorporated is a career spanning triple vinyl / double CD compilation of the legendary Brian Augers’ music. Lauded and loved by artists as diverse as Mose Allison to Emma-Jean Thackray, his tracks have been sampled by Mos Def & Common, his original compositions covered by Sarah Vaughan, Richard 'Groove' Holmes and The Main Ingredient. He is a Grammy nominee and recipient of a US Congressional Certificate of Special Recognition for his ‘contribution to the American art form of Jazz’.

Auger Incorporated includes classic album tracks, rarities and live concerts performances, some of which have never released before from Brian’s ground-breaking, genre busting catalogue, and reaches back to his early 60’s debut as an poll-winning jazz piano prodigy, his transformation into swinging London’s premier Hammond Organ player via his groups’ The Steam Packet and Julie Driscoll, Brian Auger & The Trinity, and his flagship 70’s band – The Oblivion Express - Auger's blend of jazz, R&B and pop idioms saw him credited as one of the earliest protagonists of jazz fusion.

Particularly rare highlights include The Steam Packet’s blistering instrumental version of Robert Parkers’s R&B smash Watch Your Step, the 2 tracks by Sonny Boy Williamson backed by Brian The Trinity with a young Jimmy Page as guest, the live 1960’s versions of Save Me & Red Beans & Rice and the recently unearthed version of the jazz dance classic Jeannine featuring the unmistakable voice of Julie Driscoll.

From The Oblivion Express era, there’s an intense and driving live version of Freedom Jazz Dance, and the alternative mix/radio edit of Marvin Gaye’s Inner City Blues, Brian’s mid 80’s Italo-disco hit ‘Night Train To Nowhere’ – Auger Incorporated has something for the die hard fan and all those new to this extraordinary musicians unmatchable 60 year career.

TRACK LISTING

LP1
A1 The Preacher
A2 Poinciana
A3 Watch Your Step – The Steampacket
A4 The Sidewinder - The Steampacket
B1 Walkin’ - Sonny Boy Williamson
B2 See A Man Downstairs - Sonny Boy Williamson
B3 In & Out
B4 Red Beans & Rice LIVE (Ce Soir On Danse, Paris)
B5 I Wanna Take You Higher

LP2
C1 Indian Rope Man
C2 Light My Fire
C3 This Wheels On Fire
C4 Save Me (Live - Piper Club, Rome)
C5 Jeanine
D1 Total Eclipse
D2 A Better Land
D3 Fill Your Head With Laughter

LP3
E1 Whenever You’re Ready
E2 Straight Ahead
E3 Inner City Blues - Alternative Mix
E4 Freedom Jazz Dance (Live At Winter Garden)
F1 Planet Earth Calling
F2 Night Train To Nowhere
F3 Splatch
F4 Freddie' S Flight