How cool it must have been: it is England 1969 and you are one of the premier acts on a new promising progressive label, Vertigo. Progressive has filled the air, and you are in a unique new time when you can go into a studio and do whatever you want
That is the situation Manfred Mann found themselves in when they decided to give up singles for albums, do wha diddy for jazz rock.
This is the second of two albums under the name Chapter Three.
Yes, Mann did go jazz, and pretty out jazz. They got some of the best young players in the UK, and littered their albums with free solos.
But these solos were always in the context of songs--great songs. It is not that the structure of the music had changed, as most of the jazz playing stayed within rock song confines.
Which is why these tight songs hold up. If this is not progressive in the strict sense, this and Vol 1 still stand strong as some of the best of the early prog era
This Chapter Three Vol. 2 goes more pop, than the first one. I like it but like the jazz direction of the Vol. 1 better. I always wished they would have done a Chapter Three Vol. 3 but so far the tapes haven't been released. Or wasn't enought material to release. Manfred Man and Mike Hugg need to get back together and make that Chapter Three Vol. 3 or 4.
I have rediscovered this album after twenty some years since I heard it first time. Mike Hugg's voice needed some time to grow on me; once it happens, the entire album comes alive. Fine jazz rock with lots of creative improvisations. I would rate Vol.2 as high as Vol.1, if not better.
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