Hug “Neon Dream” 1975 UK Prog Rock
Here’s a treat for all those who like the latter half of the progressive rock continuum, a fantastic lost album of funky-ass rock with the prog dial turned low, but with just enough heat to give us that caffeinated kick we addicts love. Reminds me a lot of the albums featured on the growing bin, such as the just released mystic syster (and I say that with total respect and awe with regards to his work). You’ll love this 1975 output of excellent songwriting full of fast throbbing funk and synth solos, odd greek scales starting off into explosive dancing energy, unusual modulations, chords, singable hooks, boosted with enough energy to power a ford pinto on a round trip from new mexico to the moon (the fake moon landing in the nevada desert, that is). In terms of comparisons, reminds me a lot of public foot the roman or neutrons but with more funkishness. Very typical for this period in anglo-prog, the sunset of the great age of progressive music for england and english-speaking countries, 1969 to 1976. I think it’s around at this point that the first inklings of punk started to blast away our treasured type. Here’s the full info on this little lost (no more) gem:
“Mike Hugg was, with Manfred Mann himself, the longest surviving member of the group known as Manfred Mann. Born Michael Hug in 1942, he came of age in England during the early ‘60s as a jazz enthusiast, leading his own quartet, which, in addition to himself on drums, included organist Graham Bond in its lineup. Hugg managed to hook up with South African-born pianist Manfred Mann while playing at Butlin’s, the English holiday resort, in 1962. The two took a liking to each other and formed the Mann-Hugg Blues Brothers, which became the core of the group that was eventually christened Manfred Mann, featuring Hugg on drums and percussion. Much of Hugg’s career for the next decade was linked to Manfred Mann as bandmate and frequent collaborator as a composer. Apart from their work together in the band, the two were responsible for writing and producing a great deal of film music (Up the Junction, Venus in Furs, etc.) and television music, as well as commercial jingles, although Hugg also emerged as a highly successful songwriter in his own right in 1966, when a composition that he’d written with his brother Brian, "You’re a Better Man Than I,” became a hit for the Yardbirds.
When the group Manfred Mann split up in 1969, Mann and Hugg remained together, forming the more progressive jazz-rock outfit Emanon, which later became Manfred Mann Chapter III. After parting company with Mann in 1972, Hugg cut a pair of solo albums, Somewhere and Stress and Strain, for Polydor, on which he switched from drums to keyboards. He formed the quartet Hug in 1975, which cut one LP, The Neon Dream – a strange mix of funk and progressive rock – and then the Mike Hugg Freeway, which only ever released one single, in 1976. Hugg also played piano and organ on Lo and Behold by Coulson, Dean, McGinnis, Flint, which was produced by Mann. He has written some movie and television music (including the original theme for the British television show Minder). In the early '90s, Hugg was reunited with his former Manfred Mann bandmates Paul Jones, Mike Vickers, and Mike d'Abo, for what was supposed to be a one-off event promoting a hits compilation, but proved to be so musically satisfying that it became a regular part-time gig. The Manfreds, as they became known, have delighted audiences around the world with their revival (and expansion) of the old repertory, which has allowed Hugg to keep his hand in performing and jamming as a keyboard player. “ ~ Bruce Eder, All Music Guide
As an addendum, I would say I find this album much more interesting and enjoyable than the MM albums, which are more poppy and simpler. Link to follow shortly…by ProgNotFrog……
Bass, Vocals – Marcus James
Composed By, Keyboards, Lead Vocals – Mike Hugg
Drums, Vocals – Ron Telemak
Guitar, Vocals – John Knightsbridge
Producer – Mike Hugg
