We are in Coventry in the summer of 1969, when 4 boys decide to give life to one of the most loved bands among fans and collectors of progressive music: Indian Summer. The band was formed by: Malcolm Harker (Bass, Vibraphone and Vocals), Paul Hooper (Drum, Percussion and Vocals), Colin Wiliams (Guitars and Vocals) and Bob Jackson (Keyboards and Lead Vocals). After a series of concerts in local colleges and universities, they are noticed by manager Jim Simpson, who produced Bakerloo and Black Sabbath among the others. This meeting allowed them to have an intense live activity often alongside the Ozzy Osbourne’s band. After an outstanding performance at Henry’s Blues House in Birmingham the manager of Neon Records, the RCA prog sub-label, decided to cast them. The English quartet assisted bye Roger Brain, the famous producer of the first Black Sabbath album, who brought them to Trident Studios in London. In 1971 their first and only self-titled Lp was born, while another single “Walking on Water” was recorded in the same year without ever being published. The album is of exquisite workmanship, the songs exceeding 5 minutes in duration, show off an excellent technique both for the musical part and for the excellent voice, very similar to that of Ian Gillan. The Hammond organ is present in all the songs, but never being boring, the guitar solos are very original and technically well executed, overall the sound can be categorized in Heavy Prog, even if there are more melodic detachments. Immediately after the release of the album Harker left the group, replaced by the former The Sorrows Wes Price. With this formation they face several concerts around Europe, but thanks to the poor promotion by the label the group did not have the deserved success, so it was that in 1972, returning from a concert in Switzerland, the band broke up. Wiliams decides to retire from music, Hooper recorded some albums with Dodger first and The Fortunes then, while Bob Jackson was the one who had a better career recording some albums with Ross, Dodger and Badfinger. In 2016 was released a reissue of the same name with the addition of other tracks and in 2017 a “Rare Live & Studio tracks ’70 – ’71” unofficial CD containing some live recordings and unreleased tracks. Considered one of the milestones of Progressive early ’70s by collectors, although they recorded only one LP, Indian Summer definitely deserved a lot more luck. Their sound is similar to Uriah Heep and Deep Purple, with excellent time changes a heavy and melodic, the wide use of the organ and the long guitar solos are not intrusive. Considered a fundamental listening for all progressive lovers, this hidden treasure can be considered a masterpiece of its kind.
Discography
Indian Summer (1971) 
Indian Summer (2016)
(1971) Indian Summer [Neon Records]
(2016) Indian Summr [Record Collector Magazine]
Lineup
Bob Jackson / Lead vocals, Keyboards
Colin Williams / Guitars, Vocals
Malcolm Harker / Bass, Vibes, Vocals
Paul Hooper / Drums, Percussion, Vocals
