Mighty Baby
This UK rock group was formed in late 1968 by Alan Bam King (guitar), Mike Evans (bass) and Roger Powell (drums), all founder members of the Action, one of London's most respected and exciting Mod groups. They took the name Mighty Baby, at the suggestion of new manager John Curd, with the arrival of pianist Ian Whiteman and former Savoy Brown guitarist Martin Stone. The quintet's self-titled debut album was a skilful blend of strong melody and instrumental dexterity, exemplified on the opening composition, Egyptian Tomb. Their improvisatory prowess was even greater on live performances, where Stone's imaginative soloing, combined with Whiteman's woodwind and keyboard passages, created a mesmerizing sound. A JUG OF LOVE, the group's second album, captured this spirit of adventure, but Mighty Baby's potential was suddenly shorn when Whiteman, Evans and Powell, who had each accepted the Sufi faith, left to form a new group, Habibiyya, releasing one album IF MAN BUT KNOW in 1972. Stone latterly formed Chilli Willi And The Red Hot Peppers, while King joined pub-rock favourites Ace.