Voyager 1 (RSD25): Vinyl LP

Voyager 1 can reasonably be described as a pseudo-bootleg album, in that it was a band-endorsed, official recording designed to look like an unofficial, pirate release (and given the catalogue number Jolly Roger 2 accordingly).

Made to introduce the band to the American market via Virgins then-newly inaugurated US indie label Vernon Yard Recordings, the music it presented was recorded in concert in London and New York during 1992 and, and issued prior to their debut album, A Storm In Heaven, the following year.

As a live band, Verve (as they were then-known, before they were forced to change their name by legal action from the US jazz imprint of the same name) were already a significant force. Simon Jones bass and Pete Salisburys in-the-pocket drums provide a substantial foundation for Nick McCabes virtuoso guitar work, which deftly blends feedback, delay and reverb to sound like several instruments at once, while singer Richard Ashcroft rides the groove; swooping, raging and providing ad-libs in compelling manner.

Tracklist:

Side 1

1. Slide Away
2. Gravity Grave
3. One Way To Go

Side 2

1. South Pacific
2. Already There
3. She’s A Superstar