Rhinoceros

The product of producer Paul Rothchild, Rhinoceros were conceived, planned, and executed as a "supergroup." This was the group's raison d’être and, ultimately, its downfall. Pieced together after a marathon series of jams at the producer's house in the spring of 1968, Rhinoceros were intended to be the heaviest band of the time. Rothchild and Elektra came very, very close. With former members of Iron Butterfly (Danny Weis, guitar), the Daily Flash, and Buffalo Springfield (Doug Hastings, guitar), as well as some highly respected studio aces such as Billy Mundi on drums, they formed a very good band indeed, but not really a group. Fortunately, although the chemistry is a bit skewed, the music isn't half bad. There are some excellent soul-drenched rock recordings here — from the album-opening "When You Say You're Sorry" to possibly one of the best-ever versions of "You're My Girl," the group was capable of some mighty music. One of the tracks, the heavy instrumental "Apricot Brandy," was used as the theme for a BBC television show. Ultimately, though, the group couldn't last under the weight of the billing. However, this record is one of the finest-sounding, most tightly performed albums of the period.