Fusion Orchestra - Skeleton in armour (1973)

"A little-known powerhouse of a band, Fusion Orchestra was one of the best of the many long-lost British groups that celebrated the new progressive sound of the early 1970s. Leader Jill Saward takes the reins as firmly as any male musician of her time and belts out a wail that could put some off, but her flute playing and contributions on

synthesizer are of high quality and more than make up for any Ann Wilson-like hollering. And the band just rocks; Colin Dawson carves out tasteful and intelligent hard riffs on guitar, Sten Land fleshes things out on synth, guitar and horns, and Dave Bell & David Cowell are an ideal rhythm section. This, their only album, was easily trodden upon by the giant that prog had become by 1973. And that's a real shame, because this record, quietly released in '73 and a bit frayed at the edges, contains some of the most creative and distinct heavy progressive rock up to that point, and is a treasure seeker's find from that all too brief era when the majority of British rock was, in one way or another, 'progressive'." (from progarchives.com)

Colin Dawson and a new line-up released a new album in 2013 called Casting Shadows under the name of Fusion Orchestra 2. Check them out:

http://www.fusionorchestra2.com/

Tracks:
1. Fanfairy Suite For 1,000 Trampits - Pt. One
2. Sonata in Z
3. Have I Left the Gas On?
4. OK Boys, Now's Our Big Chance
5. Skeleton In Armour
6. When My Momma's Not at Home
7. Don't Be Silly, Jimmy
8. Talk to the Man in the Sky
9. Fanfairy Suite For 1,000 Trampits - Pt. Two

Members:

Flute, vocals, synthesizer - Jill Saward
Drums - Dave Bell
Guitar - Colin Dawson
Bass, harmonica - Dave Cowell
Guitar, synthesizer, horns, percussion - Sten Land

Hear it: