Doc Thomas Group - The Italian Job

The very first Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys

A genuine rarity on vinyl, this Anglo R&B of 1966 vintage was originally released a year later on the tiny Dishi Interrecord label in Italy, the self-titled work of an English group playing residencies in none-too-hip Italian clubs and Swiss ski resorts. Even for the time, it was already dated. It’s really only of (foot)note now because its progenitors included Overend Watts, Mick Ralphs and Stan Tippins – soon to play their parts in Mott The Hoople, and thence Bad Company.

Not long after this collection of 12 chugging sub-Small Faces, way-sub-Action soul covers was recorded in a day, Dale “Buffin” Griffin was enlisted on drums and Verden Allen on keys. Now all that was needed was for Island to cruelly bust Tippins, an enthusiastic but clubbish singer, to the road crew, and sign up Ian Hunter…

The opener, I’ll Be Doggone, does boast a cool, thumping youth-club swing, and is easily the best single bet for any curious downloader. A bonus 1990 comeback LP from The Silence (featuring Watts and Buffin) only proves the adage that less is more.

Angel Air | SJPCD 278

Reviewed by Derek Hammond
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