Befour

Description

Strut presents the latest album by Brian Auger & The Trinity, Befour (1970). This album marks the end of the Trinity period, marked by significant events, before the creation of Oblivion Express by Brian Auger. It concludes several years of exploration and refinement of his unique style, a blend of jazz-rock, Hammond soul, and prog elements. Drawing from the band's varied influences, the album revolves around inspired reinterpretations that showcase the musicians' virtuosity and adventurous spirit. "I Wanna Take You Higher" by Sly & The Family Stone transforms into an energetic jazz-rock piece, while "Pavane," an adaptation of the famous classical composition by Gabriel Fauré, illustrates Auger's talent for seamlessly merging classical and contemporary influences. The album also features one of the most successful and inventive covers of "Maiden Voyage" by Herbie Hancock, and "No Time to Live" by Traffic benefits from a remarkable vocal performance by guitarist Gary Boyle. Although Befour charted on Billboard upon its release, it has remained one of the lesser-known albums in the Trinity catalog. Over time, however, it has gained cult status among early jazz fusion enthusiasts and is now regarded by critics as one of the most significant British jazz-rock recordings of the era, released just before the emergence of jazz fusion as a major movement in the 1970s. Today, Befour represents both an ideal conclusion to the Trinity years and an essential link between the psychedelic soul of Auger's work with Julie Driscoll and the more exploratory and funk-oriented direction of Oblivion Express. Rich in virtuosity and innovative arrangements, it remains one of the most rewarding albums in Auger's catalog. This new official reissue from Strut has been overseen by Greg Boraman of Impressive Collective in collaboration with Brian and Karma Auger.