- Bob Jacobs - keyboards

- Peter James - vocals

- Rob Mathebey - drums

- Rick Riccobono - bass

- Walt Meskell - guitar

- none known

Genre: rock

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Prospectus '69

Company: MGM

Catalog: SE-4624

Year: 1969

Country/State: US

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG

Comments: minor ring and edge wear; original inner sleeve

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: 4541

Price: $15.00

Cost: $66.00

Well, one look at the cover on this obscurity is all you need to figure out that these guys weren't a mob of drug dependent draft dodgers ...

Featuring a line up consisting of keyboardist Bob Jacobs, singer Peter James, drummer Rob Mathebey, bassist Rick Riccobono and guitarist Walt Meskell, the band debuted with the 1968 single 'Soul Owner's Song' b/w 'Nickels and Dimes' (Music Factory catalog number MU-416).  While the single did nothing commercially, it attracted the attention of MGM Records, which subsequently signed them to a contract.

Produced by Mike Post, 1969's "Prospectus '69" isn't a half bad set of blue-eyed soul and commercial pop.  Largely written by guitarist Meskell and propelled by James' likeable raspy voice, material such as 'Sunshine Grove', 'World Full of Changes' and the fuzz guitar drenched 'Wait and See' is quite catchy.    Elsewhere, the album includes the earlier 45 'A side ''Soul Owner's Song'. Written by Meskell the song features some nifty acoustic slide guitar (also courtesy of Meskell) and is probably the album's standout song.  The LP's also notable for some exquisite harmony vocals.  Their performances on tracks like 'Every Thursday Evening' and 'What You Need' are simply great.  MGM also tapped 'Annabelle' b/w 'Wait and See' (MGM catalog K-14045) as a single.  Had the band been able to avoid Post's occasionally suffocating production touches and lost a couple of the more pedestrian and MOR songs (the previously mentioned 'Annabelle') and this could have been a real treasure.  As it is, to my ears it's better than most of the material recorded by such contemporaries as mid-career Association, The Marshmallow Way, or Orange Coloured Skies.  

Can't say I know much about their follow-on efforts other than Meskell went on to enjoy some mid-1970s success as a producer and songwriter, placing material with the likes of The DeFranco Family, C.W. McCall, and  The Outlaws.  Riccobono spent some twenty years working for BMI including a stint as a vice president for the organization, and now works for an outfit called Supertracks.

"Prospectus '69" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Sunshine Grove   (Walt Meskell) - 2:36

2.) World Full of Changes   (Walt Meskell) - 3:00

3.) Julie   (Bob Jacobs - Walt Meskell) - 3:30

4.) Think It Over Baby   (Walt Meskell) - 2:12

5.) Hackmobile Voyage   (Rick Riccobono - Walt Meskell) - 1:48

(side 2)
1.) Soul Owner's Soul   (Walt Meskell) - 2:38

2.) What You Need   (Walt Meskell) - 3:00

3.) Annabelle   (Walt Meskell) - 2:40

4.) Wait and See   (Walt Meskell) - 2:28

5.) Every Thursday Evening   (Walt Meskell) - 3:20