TWO of the three albums recorded by late 60s/early 70s Newport Prog Rock outfit Blonde on Blonde have recently been reissued on Compact Disc by Estoric Recordings.

The bands second album Rebirth, the first to be recorded with vocalist David Thomas and the band's third and final release, 1971’s Reflections on A Life have been digitally remastered along with bonus tracks.

Blonde on Blonde’s roots were in the Cellar Set, a blues band founded in Newport during 1967 comprising guitarist Gareth Johnson, vocalist Keith Milne, organist / bassist Richard Hopkins and drummer Les Hicks. Ralph Denyer replaced Milne when the band later relocated to London. Changing their name to Blonde on Blonde, the band would sign with Pye Records, before releasing the album Contrasts in 1969.

Following Denyer’s departure, David Thomas took over on vocals, before the band released their progressive rock influenced second album, Rebirth on Ember in 1970 which featured the single Castles in The Sky and sleeve note praise from Radio 1 DJ Tommy Vance.

The bands final release, 1971’s Reflections on A Life saw a further change in line-up with Graham Davies replacing Richard Hopkins. Recorded at Monmouthshire's Rockfield studio, the album was in keeping with the era as it was conceptual in presentation.

While original vinyl copies of both Rebirth and Reflections on A Life now demand huge sums on the collector's market, the albums are now available digitally remastered complete with booklets featuring exclusive new interviews with David Thomas and Gareth Johnson and previously unseen photographs while fully restoring the original album artwork.

For further information visit cherryred.co.uk