Skin Alley -

Skin Alley was an English jazz-rock/jam band that released the 1970 CBS albums Skin Alley and To Pagham and Beyond, followed by the 1972/73 Transatlantic titles Two Quid Deal and Skintight. Atomic Rooster co-founder Nick Graham joined on the second album.

Members: Thomas Crimble (vocals, keyboards, bass, 1968-70), Alvin Giles Pope (drums, 1968-70), Max Taylor (guitar, 1968-69), Krzysztof Juszkiewicz (keyboards, vocals, 1969-73), Bob James (saxophone, flute, guitar, vocals, 1969-73), Nick Graham (bass, flute, keyboards, vocals, 1970-73), Tony Knight [aka Tony Brown] (drums, ?-1973)

Background

Skin Alley was formed in London in late 1968 by bassist/keyboardist Thomas Crimble and drummer Alvin Pope. The following spring, their lineup stabilized with organist Krzysztof Henryk Juszkiewicz and reedist/guitarist Bob James. They signed to CBS and issued their debut album in late 1969.

Skin Alley

Skin Alley released their self-titled debut album on March 6, 1970, on CBS.

The album features three numbers each by Bob James, Thomas Crimble, and Krzysztof Henryk Juszkiewicz. James wrote the first two songs and “Country Air.” Crimble composed “Night Time,” the lengthy “All Alone,” and the closing “(Going Down The) Highway.” Juszkiewicz submitted “Marsha,” “Mother Please Help Your Child,” and the “Concerto Grosso” interlude.

James plays guitar, alto saxophone, and flute, driven by Alvin Pope on congas, timpani, and standard drums. Crimble doubles on mellotron with Juszkiewicz, whose arsenal includes organ, piano, and harpsichord.

A1. “Living In Sin” (4:36)
A2. “Tell Me” (4:38)
A3. “Mother Please Help Your Child” (4:07)
A4. “Marsha” (7:15)

B1. “Country Aire” (2:14)
B2. “All Alone” (8:10)
B3. “Night Time” (5:32)
B4. “Concerto Grosso (Take Heed)” (0:26)
B5. “(Going Down The) Highway” (4:12)

Engineer – Mike FitzHenry
Producer – Dick Taylor

Artwork – Allan Tanner

To Pagham and Beyond

Skin Alley released their second album, To Pagham and Beyond, in December 1970 on CBS.

Bob James wrote the first two tracks and “The Queen of Bad Intentions.” He plays guitar, flute, and multiple sax (alto, baritone, sopranino). Thomas Crimble, who wrote the last two tracks, plays electric/acoustic basses and harmonica.

Pianist/organist Krzysztof Juskiewicz triples on trumpet. Alvin Pope is identified here by his middle name, Giles. Early Atomic Rooster bassist Nick Graham sings lead on “Sweaty Betty” and the Graham Bond cover “Walking In the Park.”

A1. “Big Brother Is Watching You” (6:56)
A2. “Take Me to Your Leader’s Daughter” (8:57)
A3. “Walking In the Park” (6:51)

B2. “The Queen of Bad Intentions” (6:55)
B2. “Sweaty Betty” (8:13)
B3. “Easy to Lie” (5:21)

Producer – Fritz Fryer
Engineer – Martin Birch

Inside Cover – John Hays, Lipscombe Lubbock Ewart And Hollands
Photography By – Alan Don After

After this album, Crimble and Pope departed Skin Alley. Graham joined as a multi-instrumentalists while Bronx Cheer drummer Tony Knight assumed Pope’s slot.

Two Quid Deal

Skin Alley released their third album, Two Quid Deal, in late 1972 on Transatlantic.

Bob James wrote “So Many People,” “Sun Music,” and co-wrote “Skin Valley Serenade” with Tony Knight. James plays electric/acoustic guitar, alto sax, and flute on Two Quid Deal, which features Krzysztof Juszkiewicz on accordion, Hammond, electric and standup piano.

Nick Graham wrote the album’s five remaining tracks. He plays supplemental flute and piano in addition to bass.

A1. “Nick’s Seven” (5:00)
A2. “So Many People” (6:07)
A3. “Bad Words and Evil People” (6:13)
A4. “Graveyard Shuffle” (4:45)

B1. “So Glad” (5:23)
B2. “A Final Coat” (5:00)
B3. “Skin Valley Serenade” (3:40)
B4. “The Demagogue” (5:16)
B5. “Sun Music” (5:00)

Sessions occurred in September/October 1972 at Rockfield Studios in Monmouth, Wales.

Producer, Engineer – Fritz Fryer
Engineer assistant – Pat Moran

Art Direction – The Creative Business
Illustration – J. Edward Barker
Photography By – Hipgnosis

Skintight

Skin Alley released their fourth album, Skintight, in 1973 on Transatlantic.

A1. “If I Only Had the Time” (3:50)
A2. “At a Quarter to One” (3:51)
A3. “How Long” (3:28)
A4. “Surprise Awakening” (4:14)
A5. “Broken Eggs” (4:05)

B1. “Maverick Woman Blues” (3:55)
B2. “The Heap Turns Human” (3:50)
B3. “What Good Does It Do?” (5:02)
B4. “Mr Heavy” (3:28)
B5. “Instermental” (3:41)

Recorded At – Chipping Norton Recording Studios, Oxfordshire.
Re-mixed at Ardent Studios, Memphis

Discography: