Jim Messina & Kenny Loggins — Sittin' In.

A warm, gentle and (as the title suggests) settled L.P. Jim Messina (ex Buffalo Springfield, ex-

Poco), Kenny Loggins (known to a few as a songwriter) and friends play an unusually wide variety of rock, ranging from raw country music to quiet jazz-blues. However, the distinctive features of their sound that provides the base for nearly every track are the beautifully clear and close harmonies and the tight yet easy rhythm section, (which includes saxes,. oboe, violin and even a concertina).

The first side opens with Nobody but you, a Messina number, obviously left over from the last Poco recording session - an interesting fusion of traditional country sentimentality with the harshness and drive of soul-influenced rock. An encouraging opener but nothing in it to distinguish it from the ever increasing number of American groups progressing towards this particular type of easy, flowing country -rock e g. Grateful Dead, Flying Burrito Brothers, New Riders. Uncle Jim's Music.

From this point onwards, the album gets better and better Both Messina's and Loggin's compositions are varied almost complementary and their treatment of the songs brings out a freshness and spontaneity, a rare quality in rock music and in strong contrast to the unbelievable quantity' of boring, uninspired rubbish that comes from every second British touring group.

Listen to the Country Song is a good, ole barndance number, complete with screeching violin and tinkling honky-tonk piano. They hit the heavies with Same Old Wine, a song about political and religious hypocrisy, which features an astounding harmonica solo by Kenny Loggins. Vahavella, (thinking about nights in Jamaica ) is a revamped sea- shanty, emphasising the group's versatility, in which they move into the territory of reggae and hornpipes. But the highlight of the album is the final Trilogy, where the band is beautifully together, progressing from urgent, driving rock Lovin' Me and To Make a Woman Feel Wanted, to a supurb final number called Peace of Mind — a gentle, easy blues that owes so much to Ray Charles.

'some folks you find speak a mighty good line they charm you all the way
take you along on a sweet, sweet ride then they steal your heart away
blessed be the one that understands that people have to act that way
as if I know I wouldn't even want to say
But have a little peace, peace of mind
Gimmie some peace, peace of mind,
Everybody want peace, peace of mind.'

— Stephen Matthews.