Looking for something a little different to put in your CD or MP3 player? Then blast into orbit with Captain Hammond’s “The Origin of Captain Hammond,” an instrumental blend of psychedelic rhythm and blues, rock, and fusion. More than a band, Captain Hammond is an extremely innovative, unique, and energetic musical experience. What gives this United Kingdom “musical experience” their unique sound: the Hammond organ. For some of us younger folks, or those not aware, the Hammond organ was a standard of jazz, blues, gospel, and rock music in the 60s and 70s. Artists including, Booker T. Jones, Rick Wright, Billy Preston and Steve Winwood popularized the overdriven sound of the Hammond organ in the 60s and 70s. The Hammond B03 organ is also heard in 60s surf music and in 70s rock bands, such as Pink Floyd, Genesis, Yes, and Deep Purple.
Bringing back the Hammond organ full frontal into contemporary music was the idea of Mother Earth’s organist, Bryn Barklam. Mother Earth was an early-mid 90s funk, soul, rock band that sounds like they are straight from the 60s- you can hear Mother Earth’s 60s psychedelic/R&B influences throughout “The Origin of Captain Hammond” although Captain Hammond diverges quite a bit from Mother Earth. Bryn Barklam not only plays the Hammond organ and composed the music on Captain Hammond’s first album, he is also the creator and artist for the audio-visual, comic concept of the “half man, half organ” hero, Captain Hammond that accompanies us on the journey into “The Origin of Captain Hammond.”
The “Captain Hammond Theme” kicks off the album with an upbeat feel of 60s surfer rock meets 60s rhythm and blues. “Fired Up” and “Constellation Station” continue with this feel, but add in a more gospel and soulful organ sound. “Into Orbit” gives the feel that you’re riding the waves in the Pacific Ocean while “Mechanaut” combines a heavier rock feel with its bluesy guitar riffs. “Cosmic Candy” is one of the album’s most funky and lively songs, which features a more psychedelic rock guitar sound. Somewhere in the middle of listening to these songs I am reminded of Deep Purple’s Jon Lord and his Hammond organ playing on songs like “Space Truckin” and “Highway Star,” etc. Also at times, I could hear a very reminiscent quality of Pink Floyd in some of the songs on this album. The fact that you are reminded of sounds from the past yet in a fresh, contemporary format, is what makes “The Origin of Captain Hammond” a great album.
To contrast the upbeat was a song called, “Universal Milk” with a mid-tempo, jazzy, rhythm and blues feel topped off with an impressive rock/fusion guitar solo. “Origin,” similar to “Universal Milk,” is one of the albums’ more complex songs with its moody organ, heavy bass, authentic jazz drumming and psychedelic/R&B guitar. The album ended with “Don’t Burst my Bubble,” an energetic and enjoyable cover of The Small Faces classic.
Overall, this album is one of the most original I have heard in awhile. Between its energetic and colorful Hammond organ, solid, fresh beats and bluesy, psychedelic guitar riffs, this album is not just great to listen to, but also, stands out with quality musicianship and creativity, something I think most albums lack today. My favorite aspect of listening to and reviewing this album was my struggle to classify it in a single genre. I think Captain Hammond create their own genre of music through an animated blend of rhythm and blues, gospel, 60s surfer rock, organic rock, funk, fusion, soul and progressive rock.
Erin Bruno- MuzikReviews.com Contributor
February 20, 2008
