While many albums from the Seventies were supported by major record labels, due the effervescent arena rock scene at the time and loads of releases everywhere some LP’s became true rarities soon. Lead by singer Marcus Malone the band MARCUS self-titled disc “Marcus” fits in this category for sure.
Fortunately there’s great reissue companies out there like Rock Candy Records to rescue the lost music and reissue these in remastered form.
The album “Marcus” is a truly a remarkable artifact. Originally issued via United Artists Records in 1976 to little or no acclaim, the record, despite it striking cover art and incendiary contents, sank without trace until British music publication Sounds afforded the record a glowing lead review.
Aficionados and avid fans of hard rock began a frantic search to obtain copies and were pleased to find that the praise was indeed well deserved. By then, however, the band had already split up, disillusioned by a lack of interest and receiving zero promotion.
It was an incredibly unfortunate set of circumstances as the album is a true cult classic, a mid-Seventies hard rock record with the reach and depth of a band that, without a doubt, should have risen to the very heights of success.
Formed in Detroit by leader and vocalist Marcus Malone (a former member of Mitch Rider’s Detroit Wheels), the group was discovered and brought to Los Angeles by soul legend Ike Turner, who secured them a deal with United Artists Records.
Produced by Stuart Alan Love (Phoenix, Luo Gramm’s Black Sheep) ‘Marcus’ resonates with impressive depth and maturity. The music is both accomplished and bold, fusing the grand swagger of Aerosmith with the progressive heaviness of Deep Purple plus some early Queen.
Featuring three lead guitars soloing away in a triple attack formation, alongside intricately arranged material, the record boasts a bevy of classic rock cuts, including ‘Black Magic’, the melodic ‘Salmon Ball’ or the Ted Nugent-like ‘Pillow Stars’
The very Deep Purple / Coverdale-era ‘Highschool Ladies Streetcorner Babies’ is plenty of fire, the early Aerosmith-esque ‘Dream Wheel’ is full of swagger, while fans of Queen II album will fall in love with the terrific ‘Rise Unto Falcon’.
Honestly, I never heard about Marcus before, and I am very impressed. Marcus Malone’s vocals are melodic and with a deep presence, while the band performance is incredibly tight, including renowned bass player Tim Bogert (Vanilla Fudge, Cactus, Hollywood Monsters) in the line up.
Another remarkable point is the excellent polished production for the era, which now with this pristine remastering makes this album sound almost contemporary.
If you are not so friendly to ’70s material, give Marcus a chance and you’ll be pleasantly surprised, as I did. An incredible statement of intent from one of the world’s best kept secrets and, sadly, greatest losses.
Highly Recommended
You’ve seen it first at plotn08
01 – Black Magic
02 – Salmon Ball
03 – Kelly
04 – Gypsy Fever
05 – Pillow Stars
06 – Highschool Ladies Streetcorner Babies
07 – Dream Wheel
08 – Rise Unto Falcon
Lead Vocals – Marcus Malone
Lead Guitar – Gene Bloch
Rhythm Guitars – Jack Weber, Randall David
Bass – Tim Bogart
Drums – Dandy Holmes