The Loading Zone -

The Loading Zone was an American brass-rock-soul band that released a self-titled album in 1968 on RCA Victor, followed by the private 1970 effort One for All. They launched the career of soul singer Linda Tillery, who went solo as Sweet Linda Divine.

Members: Peter Shapiro (guitar, 1965-69), Steve Dowler (rhythm guitar, 1965-69), David Dougdale (bass, 1965-66), Ray Greenleaf (drums, 1965-66), Paul Fauerso (vocals, organ, 1966-70, 2005-present), George Newcom (drums, 1966-69), Bob Kridle (bass, 1966-69), Susie Levin (vocals, 1967-68), Todd Anderson (woodwinds, saxophone, vocals, keyboards, 1967-69), Patrick O’Hara (trombone, vocals, 1967-70), Steve “Doc” Kupka (baritone saxophone, 1968), Linda Tillery [Sweet Linda Devine] (vocals, 1968-1972), Mike Eggleston (bass, 1969-71, 2005-present), George Marsh (drums, 1969-70, 2005-present), Steve Busfield (guitar, 1969-70, 1972), Ron Taormina (saxophone, 1969-70), Al Costa (drums, 1970-71), Tom Coster (keyboards, vocals, 1970-72), Wendy Haas (vocals, 1972), Doug Rauch (bass, 1972), Tony Smith (drums, 1972)

Background

The Loading Zone formed in 1966 in Berkeley, California, under the direction of keyboardist–vocalist Paul Fauerso following the breakup of his jazz unit, the Tom Paul Trio. He teamed with bassist Bob Kridle and drummer Ted Kozlowski (soon replaced by George Newcom), along with guitarists Peter Shapiro and Steve Dowler, both ex-members of The Marbles, a local psych band active on the early Family Dog scene. Initially rooted in R&B, the group adopted psychedelic elements and became fixtures of the Bay Area circuit, supporting major acts and adding vocalist Linda Tillery in 1967.

The Loading Zone…

The Loading Zone released their self-titled debut album in April 1968 on RCA Victor.

The album features a brass-infused blend of soul and psych-rock with lead vocals by Linda Tillery, supported by a six-piece band under the direction of keyboardist–arranger Paul Fauerso.

Original numbers such as “No More Tears” and “Don’t Lose Control (Of Your Soul)” hinge on tightly framed rhythms and responsive horn figures. Tillery pushes her upper register across the slow-building “The Bells,” while “Kali Yuga-Loo” adds intermittent guitar passages to the rhythmic interplay. The group stretches out on the nine-minute closer “Can I Dedicate,” a multi-section instrumental with extended breaks for guitar and horn solos. Covers include Motown staples by The Miracles (“Shop Around”) and The Marvelettes (“Danger Heartbreak Dead Ahead”) plus the jazz standard “God Bless the Child.”

B1. “Kali Yuga-Loo” (Fauerso | 3:23)
B2. “God Bless the Child” (Herzog Jr., Holiday | 4:45)
B3. “Danger Heartbreak Dead Ahead” (Paul, Hunter, Stevenson | 3:34)
B4. “Can I Dedicate” (Fauerso | 9:37)

The album was recorded at RCA Victor’s Music Center of the World in Hollywood and produced by Rick Jarrard. Fauerso handled all arrangements and played organ and piano in addition to vocals. The lineup includes Peter Shapiro (lead guitar), Steve Dowler (rhythm guitar), Bob Kridle (bass), George Newcom and Frank Davis (drums), Todd Anderson (tenor sax), and Patrick O’Hara (trombone). Dana Johnson designed the cover.

RCA issued two singles: “Don’t Lose Control (Of Your Soul)” backed with “Danger Heartbreak Dead Ahead,” and “No More Tears” backed with “Can I Dedicate.”

One for All

The Loading Zone released their second album, One for All, in January 1970 on Umbrella Records.

Keyboardist Paul Fauerso recorded the album with an overhauled lineup: Steve Busfield (guitar), Mike Eggleston (bass), and George Marsh (drums), joined by holdovers Patrick O’Hara (trombone) and Todd Anderson (tenor sax), soon replaced by Ron Taormina (alto/baritone sax). For a time, the group operated with two drummers, Marsh and returning original Frank Davis, which intensified their rhythmic interplay.

A1. “Think” (5:30) – Lowman Pauling
A2. “Time Stops” (1:19) – O’Hara
A3. “Help Me” (3:21) – Busfield
A4. “Untitled” (7:06) – Taormina
A5. “One for All” (3:42) – Fauerso

B1. “You Got Me Hummin’” (5:55) – Isaac Hayes, David Porter
B2. “Enter” (15:35) – Loading Zone

Recorded and produced by The Loading Zone. Engineered by Brent Dangerfield.

“One for All” also appeared on 7″ backed with “Time Stops.”

Aftermath

Fauerso transitioned into new-age music and media scoring. Linda Tillery, no longer involved with the group by this time, released Sweet Linda Divine in 1970 and later joined the fusion group Cesar 830 before starting her solo jazz career.

Discography: