Influence
Influence
Reissue of an interesting album from 1968, originally out on ABC Records. The Influence was one of the most fascinating bands to emerge from Canada during the '60s. The group's rich diversity of styles (from beat to R&B to heavy psych rock to jazz) was a result of the members' wide range of musical backgrounds, interests and geographical origins. The band's driving force was Louis Campbell McKelvey, who'd spent time in South-Africa where he was a member of garage/beat/mod band The A-Cads. McKelvey also played with Les Sinners and Our Generation. Formed in late May, the quartet, named The Influence, immediately made its presence felt and became regulars at Montreals Barrel during the summer of 1967. In June, Rossi and Island returned to Montreal and, after catching the bands set, joined the line-up. The new line-up became more musically adventurous, adopting a style that was influenced by jazz musicians Sonny Murray and Archie Shepp, and with Island adding a second lead voice.