Hackensack - The Final Shunt (2017)

                                                                     Hackensack
 Hackensack first formed in 1969 and its origins are unclear, but by '71, founding member Nicky Moore felt he had the right band together and began touring extensively. By 1972 they were playing over 250 shows a year non-stop in the UK and Europe. That same year, Island released their first and only non-album single, Moving On / River Boat. The single was produced by Muff Winwood, Steve's older brother (both former members of the Spencer Davis Group), who later produced Dire Straits' debut ('78) and Sparks' early hits. He also worked as an A&R for Island. Hackensack also supported labelmates Mott The Hoople on their Rock 'n' Roll Circus tour a few months earlier.

Polydor finally released their first and only album in 1974: Up The Hardway. The disc is a mixture of direct heavy boogie and ballads with quality vocals and guitars. The line-up included Nicky Moore (vocals, guitar, electric piano), Ray Smith (lead guitar, vocals), Paul Martinez (bass) and Simon Fox (drums, percussion). Smith soon became better known as the Ray Majors, changing his name to avoid confusion with the guitarist of another Island band, Albert Lee's Heads, Hands & Feet. The first CD of the album, supposedly released under license, was released by the French company Red Fox Records in 2002.

Hackensack existed from 1968 to 1974 and disbanded after the album's release. They have built a good reputation for themselves as a hardworking, blues rock quartet. Your first album may well decorate any collection today.
Moore went on to play in Tiger, Samson and Mammoth, drummer Simon Fox moved to Be Bop Deluxe and guitarist Ray Smith to The British Lions.

Vocalist Nicky Moore reunited with bassist Stu Mills to re-record the demo songs as they intended them to sound, along with drummer Ed Collins and Nicky's son Timmy on guitar (no hint of nepotism here – check out his fluid solo). 

Free and Zeppelin influences are noticeable in the slinky swing of Tomorrow and Black Witch Woman, but Hackensack has always been heavier in the riff department, Rock And Roll Woman and River Boat sounding Mountain-ous. His Movin' On adds an added vocal hook, and Moore is still able to oscillate between a smokier Paul Rodgers-type tone and a strong belt, his a cappella Boneman a true showstopper. If, as the title suggests, this is goodbye, they're leaving on a high note.

This album was first recorded in 1973 live at Clifton College, Nottingham and re-recorded for the 2017 Audio Archives re-release for the band's reunion.

320 kbps
105 Megabytes

Credits:

Nicky Moore - Vocals 
Timmy Moore - Guitar  
Stu Mills - Bass  
Ed Collins - Drums 

Tracklist:

01. Rock And Roll Woman 04:31 
02. Tomorrow 03:14 
03. Black Witch Woman 04:13 
04. Riverboat 04:07 
05. Front Page News 03:44 
06. Play Dirty 03:40 
07. The Hustler 03:51 
08. Movin' On 03:39 
09. Heartbreak Hotel 05:02 
10. Angel's Theme 01:14 
11. River Boat (Alt. Version) 04:09 
12. Boneman 01:59