The Sailor Band -

The Sailor Band was an American jazz-rock quartet from Minnesota that self-released the 1974 album Sailor.

Members: Sidney Gasner (bass), Reynold Philipsek (guitar), Mark Wenner (drums, percussion), Michael McGlynn (keyboards, vocals)

For the contemporary English cabaret-glam band, click here.

For the Indianapolis band, click here.

Background

The Sailor Band formed in St. Cloud in the early Seventies around guitarist Reynold Philipsek, bassist Sidney Gasner, keyboardist Michael McGlynn, and drummer Mark Wenner. Philipsek and Wenner previously played in Cure of Ares, a St. Cloud group that recorded the 1969 singles “Oval Portrait” and “Sunshine” at Audiotek Studios in Minneapolis. The group taped an appearance for ABC’s Happening ’69 on April 20, with a May 17 network broadcast.

Philipsek followed the breakup with the 1973 single “Change (Not the Same)” (b/w “Wordless Wonder”), issued under the name reynold. Gasner and Philipsek produced both sides before the Sailor Band completed the private LP.

Sailor

The Sailor Band self-released the singular 1974 album Sailor as a private stereo pressing.

Five principal compositions fill the record, with four instrumentals and a closing song sung by McGlynn. The arrangements use guitar, Hammond organ, piano, bass, and percussion. A 45-second “Transition” links the second side’s two principal pieces.

“Waterfall” cascades through chromatic guitar chords while organ phrases counter in opposing directions, an angular two-line counterpoint.

A1. “Waterfall” (6:28)
A2. “The Great Stream” (3:42)
A3. “Evergreen” (6:23)
B1. “Twelve Months to One Year” (12:12)
B2. “Transition” (0:45)
B3. “Wait” (4:14)

Sailor appeared in a plain white stock sleeve stamped with the group name and album title in small purple type. The pressing included a separate insert.

Discography: