Too Much (1971) Reminiscence - LOST 70s GEMS

Too Much were an exciting rock act from the early 70s from Japan, there are jazzy laidback shuffles, Clapton esque playing and Black Sabbath fuzz rock all wrapped in an Eastern Blues package. Too Much thought a 1971 release reminds me a lot of King Crimson's 1969 debut with its mix of crunching hard rock whine and doom laden vocals reminiscent of Greg Lake as well as the sweet orchestral strains and flute embellishments on offer on Song for My Lady, the album's closing track. Elements of Prog emerge in the mix of jazz and classical interludes, but the thunderous opener chugs along like Deep Purple Mark 1, the vocalist Juni Rush (Loku Lashu) deep croon through an echo filter reminds me of Rod Evans' vocals on the Deep Purple track Listen Learn Read On with it's cavernous echo.
Reminiscence is the highlighted track starting with a series of blaring organ chords before a whining blues guitar wails away it is very influenced by Cream and King Crimson's dark Prog Folk rock tunes like the crimson song, Epitaph. The dark statements of the band are obvious from the cover of I Shall Be Released, though that usually reliable tune is delivered with little panache. This is blues rock at it's heart and not a very fresh attempt hence it's fate but it still is approachable at its best.