This is another band that I’m coming to late, as I managed to totally miss their debut, but luckily, they have just released their second, which has been sent to me. What we have here are a bunch of Scots who have been heavily influenced by the Canterbury scene and want us all to believe that it is 1969, or possibly 1972 (but no later). They have an interesting line-up with Justin Lumsden (guitar, vocals), Nick Gaughan (drums and percussion, electric piano, bass guitar and synthesizers on "Laudation") and Tom Davis (bass) combining with Richard Merchant (trumpet, cornet, tenor horn), Ross McCrae (trombone, Wurlitzer electric piano) and Sophie Sexon (flute, vocals). This use of brass instruments within a progressive band is certainly unusual, and the way that they are fully part of the overall sound does provide the band with something that is quite different to what else is around. They do bring in some jazz influences, but they rarely move away from the Canterbury/eclectic prog sound, and there is a real depth and breadth to their music.
There are few bands within the progressive spectrum who follow this particular style, and Big Hogg are certainly showing how brass instruments can be brought into the field with aplomb. This is quality progressive rock, and all power to Bad Elephant Music for making this more widely available. It has also been released on vinyl and is available through Bandcamp.
