Automatic Fine Tuning -

Automatic Fine Tuning was an English instrumental hard-rock band that released the singular 1976 Charisma album A.F.T.. Guitarists Paul A. MacDonnell and Robert Cross worked with bassist Trevor Darks and drummer–vocalist Dave Ball. The quartet played the 1976 Reading Rock Festival and recorded a BBC session for John Peel.

Members: Paul A. MacDonnell (guitar), Robert Cross (guitar), Trevor Darks (bass), Dave Ball (drums, vocals)

Background

Automatic Fine Tuning formed in Reading, Berkshire, when guitarists Paul A. MacDonnell and Robert Cross and bassist Trevor Darks continued from Glyder, active since 1973 on the a local circiit. Drummer–singer Dave Ball replaced the prior drummer and completed the quartet.

The musicians played Reading venues, including the Target pub, before a hometown appearance at the 1976 Reading Rock Festival, a three-day weekend August event at Richfield Avenue with sets by Camel, Colosseum II, Eddie & The Hot Rods, Gong, Mallard, Manfred Mann’s Earth Band, Moon, Pat Travers Band, Phil Manzanera’s 801, Rory Gallagher, Supercharge, and Van Der Graaf Generator. ATF played the third day (Sunday the 29th) along with A Band Called ‘O’, Back Door, Brand X, The Enid, Osibisa, Sassafras, and Sutherland Brothers & Quiver.

A.F.T.

Automatic Fine Tuning released their singular album, A.F.T., in October 1976 on Charisma.

The album contains two extended, multi-part compositions and two shorter tracks. MacDonnell and Darks co-wrote both halves of “The Great Panjandrum Wheel” and “Queen of the Night”; Cross wrote “Gladioli.” Ball sings “Queen of the Night,” the album’s sole vocal track.

“The Great Panjandrum Wheel (Part One)” rises from an unaccompanied bass figure into interlocked leads, rapid scale runs and fugal turns; repeated changes in speed and tonality drive its extended arc. “Gladioli” darts through a compact classical-shaped phrase with brisk, lightly sprung turns.

“The Great Panjandrum Wheel (Part Two)” unfurls through faster passages, quieter interludes and angular later figures; bowed-string-like tones mark one internal shift. “Queen of the Night” condenses blues-marked phrases around repeated sung lines and a harmonica-like guitar timbre.

A1. “The Great Panjandrum Wheel (Part One)” (14:25)
i. “Wolverine (Part 1)”
ii. “Horizons”
iii. “Wolverine (Part 2)”
iv. “Maneater”

A2. “Gladioli” (4:41) – Cross

B1. “The Great Panjandrum Wheel (Part Two)” (15:45)
i. “Panjandrum”
ii. “Epic”
iii. “Terminal C”
iv. “City Business”
v. “Dragon Fly”

B2. “Queen of the Night” (3:49) – MacDonnell, Darks

Automatic Fine Tuning recorded A.F.T. at Ridge Farm in Surrey with the La Maison Rouge Mobile. American rock journalist Loyd Grossman co-produced the sessions with Neal Grossman, who also produced American ragtime singer Annie McLoone’s 1976 album Fast Annie. Engineer Steve Bruno handled the mobile recording with assistants Peter Smith and Trevor White.

Three’s Company conceived and designed the sleeve and photographed the back cover. Phil Jude’s front photograph presents Alan Chatfield’s circuit-board model populated by four caricature figures and enlarged electronic components beneath the A.F.T. logo. Jude also photographed 1974–76 covers for Budgie, Isotope, Patrick Moraz, and Seventh Wave.

On October 21, the quartet recorded “Race Horses” and “The Great Panjandrum Wheel (Part Two)” for a John Peel session. BBC Radio 1 broadcast the performance on the November 8 edition of the program.

In 2004, Sunrise Records issued a European CD edition.