GASS

One of the less-renowned groups to emerge from London’s late 60s and early 70s club/soul circuit, Gass completed several raw-edged singles for the Parlophone Records label before embarking on a more progressive direction. The original line-up - Bob Tench (b. 24 March 1941; vocals/bass), Alan Roskams (b. 18 March 1941; lead guitar), Frank Clark (b. 26 January 1942; organ), Humphrey Okan (b. 18 March 1938; saxophone), Lol Coxhill (b. Lowen Coxhill, 19 September 1932, Portsmouth, Hampshire, England; saxophone), Errol McLean (b. 24 March 1941; congas) and Godfrey McClean (b. 24 March 1941; drums) - gradually broke apart, although Tench and McClean were present on the unit’s sole album. Its rhythmic pulse, reminiscent in places of Santana, was enhanced by a cameo appearance by guitarist Peter Green, but the set was not a commercial success. A year after the release of the album the band appeared in Jack Good’s musical Catch My Soul. The line-up of the band had Derek Austin on organ and piano. The band also performed on the soundtrack album for the show and was produced by Peter Knight Jr. (the son of the highly respected composer and arranger). Tench joined the Jeff Beck Group when Gass broke-up, while early saxophonist Coxhill pursued a maverick career with Delivery, Kevin Ayers and a host of experimental ensembles.