Jonesy No Alternative

One of the lesser-known acts to arise during the plethora of prog rock acts in Britain, Jonesy was formed in 1971 by frontman John Evans-Jones and his bassist/multi-instrumentalist brother Trevor ‘Gypsy’ Jones, who had both been in Anno Domini just before (though they had first played in various groups together during an Australian sojourn in the 1960s, including the hit-making Choas & Co). The early line-up shattered after a brotherly dispute, leading to the arrival of bassist David Paul and drummer Jim Payne, who had both played in the National Head Band, with Chicago-born Scouser, Jimmy Kaleth on keyboards lending a defining treble element, especially through his use of a Mellotron. The prevalence of that instrument on their 1972 debut LP, No Alternative, has naturally drawn comparisons with King Crimson in retrospect, but Jonesy had a sound all their own, with undercurrents of blues rock on “Mind Of The Century” and the title track, plus jazz leanings and uncommon time signatures on “1958” and “Ricochet.” This edition features bonus tracks “Everyday’s The Same” and “Reprise,” taken from a 1973 single.