Mel Galley was a superb musician and song writer. Wherever he was playing, he always proved that. Unfortunately he isn’t amongst us anymore, as he passed away in 2008, at the very young age of 60. The Big C was responsible for him leaving us way too early. If you don’t know the man musically, the I have a few suggestions. First one is to look up the five “Phenomena” albums. The first one of that series is a bonafide AOR classic. He has also been cooperating with WHITESNAKE for the “Saints & Sinners” and “Slide It In” records. But if you really want to hear him at his best, want to see him shine, you need to get hold of his main focus, which has always been his own band TRAPEZE. In the 25 years of existence this band released 13 albums, with band leader Mel Galley being the only constant.

In those 25 years a lot of music that was recorded that hasn’t been used until this year. They have been discovered, cleaned and then put on two compilation albums. You will find demo tracks, but also live material and just unused songs on these compilations. In January “Lost Tapes Vol. 1” was released, and now it is time for “Lost Tapes Vol. 2”. This one actually includes “Live Fast Die Laughing”, recorded at Larry’s Garage studio UK, the last song Mel Galley recorded before he died. So, I’m very doubtful whether you can expect a “Lost Tapes Vol. 3”. And for all those who have never heard the music of TRAPEZE before now, here’s what to expect; good old fashioned Melodic Heavy Rock, with bits of Funk and Symphonic Rock mixed in at times.

The music definitely has its roots in the seventies and early eighties. What makes TRAPEZE so impressive is the fact that without exemption every musician associated with or playing on the songs is a world class one. It doesn’t matter who was playing, Mel Galley set the path and the rest would follow, whilst still being allowed to put their own stamp on the parts they were playing. Not only that, he never had a shortage of good singers, as the 71 minutes it takes the fourteen tracks to pass you by will prove. As to who is playing what, there is extensive information in the booklet. TRAPEZE is a band from the past, but on “Lost Tapes Vol. 2” these guys are proving that ensuring that the quality of the music is the most important thing for any musician, then and now.