 If was a progressive rock band formed in Britain in 1969. Referred to by Billboard as "unquestionably the best of the so-called jazz-rock bands", in the period spanning 1970-1975, they produced 8 studio-recorded albums and did some 17 tours of Europe, the US and Canada. If was a seminal band formed in 1969 as Britain’s answer to the pioneering U.S. bands Blood, Sweat and Tears and Chicago. Unlike these groups, however, If did not have a trumpet or trombone player but instead featured two saxophone players. Essentially a live band, true to its strong jazz influences, If was one of the few jazz-rock groups, both then and now, to feature solos by all the band members, not just by the lead instruments. Like early pioneers Chicago, If were difficult to classify with any of their contemporaries; they seemed out of place wherever they played, and were considered too jazzy when billed with groups with more of a rock orientation, and too bluesy or loud when billed with more jazz-oriented bands. They toured extensively in Europe and the United States during the early 1970s, with two U.S. tours during their first year, performing at most of the major venues and festivals of the day including Newport, Reading, Fillmore East (November 10, 1970, sharing the billing with Black Sabbath and Small Faces) and Fillmore West, Whisky A Go-Go, and The Marquee. They also shared billings with, amongst others, Miles Davis, Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon and Leon Russell as well as many of the classic rock bands of the day, such as Cream, Traffic, Yes, Grand Funk Railroad, Ten Years After, KISS, Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show, and Lynyrd Skynyrd. If 4 is the fourth album released by the band. It was first issued in 1972 and was the last album to feature the original recording line-up. Dennis Elliott – drums, J.W. Hodgkinson – vocals, percussion, John Mealing – keyboards, Dick Morrissey – saxophones, flute, Dave Quincy – saxophones, Jim Richardson – bass and Terry Smith – guitar01 - Sector 1702 - The Light Still Shines03 - You In Your Small Corner04 - Waterfall05 - Throw Myself To The Wind06 - Svenska SommarLINK RS or LINK FS |
