CACTUS – Cactus ’70 [SHM-CD mini-LP remastered Limited Release] *HQ*

320_1 /// 320_2 /// HQ 1 /// HQ 2

Another album essential in your collection is CACTUS 1970’s awesome self-titled debut LP “Cactus“. This SHM-CD released by Ｖ Ｉ Ｃ Ｔ Ｏ Ｒ Ｊ Ａ Ｐ Ａ Ｎ (now out of print) as part of their ‘Rock Masterpiece Paper Sleeve Collection‘ series in a mini-LP replica really sounds fantastic.
While later there was various incarnations of the band, to me there was only ONE Cactus, which consists of Carmine Appice – drums, Tim Bogert – bass, Jim McCarty – guitar, and Rusty Day – lead vocals, harmonica – the original early Seventies line up.

This first album “Cactus” is a classic slice of early ’70s American hard rock. You could even make a case that it was the first hard rock album by an American band — well, maybe not the first, but perhaps the one that laid the groundwork for the 1970s style of heavy rock which came after. The introduction to the track “Let Me Swim” loosely inspired the first few seconds of the 1978 instrumental “Eruption” by Eddie Van Halen.
This a great rock and roll record to turn up loud. Cactus should have been much bigger and more appreciated than they were. Jimmy McCarty is a great guitarist in the same vein as Jimmy Page, Peter Green and Jimi Hendrix, the rhythm section just explodes, and Rusty Day’s voice is unique.
The remastered sound on this SHM-CD is very good with defined drum and bass, full space between instruments, great EQ.

The eight tracks consist of six original songs written by the band, plus covers of Mose Allison’s version of blues standard “Parchman Farm”, and Willie Dixon’s “You Can’t Judge a Book by the Cover”. All are great classic rock songs, no filler at the perfect 40 minutes.
This is a killer electric blues rock album that will remain as a favorite LPs ever for many of you reading this…
Highly Recommended

Ｖ Ｉ Ｃ Ｔ Ｏ Ｒ Ｊ Ａ Ｐ Ａ Ｎ / VICW～70006
【ＬＴＤ ＳＨＭ－ＣＤ】

01 – Parchman Farn
02 – My Lady From South Of Detroit
03 – Bro. Bill
04 – You Cant Judge A Book By The Cover
05 – Let Me Swim
06 – No Need To Worry
07 – Oleo
08 – Feel So Good

Rusty Day – lead vocals, harmonica
Jim McCarty – guitar
Carmine Appice – drums
Tim Bogert – bass

Out of print
www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/VICW-70006