This two-CD collection is a companion volume to
Fully Unleashed: The Live Gigs (2004) and contains the
Cactus (1970),
One Way. . . Or Another (1971),
Restrictions (1971) and
'Ot 'N' Sweaty (1972) LPs and associated extras. The initial aggregate was a supergroup of sorts, with both
Carmine Appice (drums) and
Tim Bogert (bass) having been the formidable rhythm section behind
Vanilla Fudge,
Rusty Day (vocals) hailing from
the Amboy Dukes, and
Jim McCarty (guitar) late of
Mitch Ryder's backing ensemble
the Detroit Wheels. Even though
Cactus was overshadowed by
Led Zeppelin, they created their own
blues-based
fusion, rivalling the likes of
MC5 in terms of sheer sonic intensity. While their debut included fiery reworkings of
Mose Allison's
"Parchment Farm" and
Willie Dixon's
"You Can't Judge a Book by the Cover," some of the best material consists of the band's compositions. Among them are the
ballad "My Lady From South of Detroit," the heavy rocker
"Let Me Swim" and the languid bluesy
"No Need to Worry." Barely Contained: The Studio Sessions (2004) also highlights three outtakes from the first album, an original thrasher titled
"Sweet Little 16," as well as
"The Sun Is Shining" and
"Rumblin' Man." The latter originally surfaced on the single-disc
Cactology: The Cactus (1996) compilation. The follow-up
One Way... Or Another (1971) sported a cohesive and less raw sound, benefiting no doubt from the help of noted engineer
Eddie Kramer. However,
"Big Mama Boogie" and the propulsive
"Rockout, Whatever You Feel Like" are evidence that
Cactus remained loud, raucous and driven. The Chicago-style
"Hound Dog Sniffin'" is offered here as the sole leftover circa
One Way... Or Another. The personnel shifted after their next long-player
Restrictions (1971) as former
Atomic Rooster frontman
Peter French (lead vocals),
Werner Fritzsching (guitar) and
Duane Hitchings (keyboards) replaced
Day and
McCarty -- who split at the conclusion of the
Restrictions tour. Incidentally, the final performance by the earliest incarnation can be heard on
Fully Unleashed: The Live Gigs. By the time of the half-studio/half-concert
'Ot 'N' Sweaty (1972), much of the magic had significantly dissipated resulting in an uneven affair. Although
"Bad Stuff" -- a blatant rip-off of
Jimi Hendrix'
"Foxy Lady" -- is a hard groove that soars thanks to
Hitchings impressive contributions. ~ Lindsay Planer
