Patto [Remastered] [Expanded]

Personnel: Mike Patto (vocals); Ollie Halsall (guitar, acoustic guitar, piano, vibraphone); John Halsey (drums).Audio Remasterer: Ben Wiseman.Liner Note Author: Sid Smith .Recording information: Island Studios, London (07/16/1970).Illustrator: Tony Benyon.Photographer: Allen Melina.Criminally underrated at the time, but borne into legend by the unspeakable tragedies that awaited its makers, the debut album by Patto can safely be described among the finest jazz-rock fusion albums ever cut by a British band. Mike Patto's vocals certainly match that billing, a throaty, emotive sound that puts one in mind of the effect that Steve Winwood spent much of his career pursuing, while first lieutenant Ollie Halsall's reputation as one of the era's hottest guitarists is revealed as only one of the strings to his bow -- early into the opening "The Man," he unleashes a mean vibraphone solo as well. However, "Hold Me Back" quickly restates his lead duty and, though the song itself is little more than