American Gypsy

Formed in the early-1960s, over the next decade the group went through a series of name, personnel and genre changes, including Blue Morning, Orpheus, and The Pasadena Ghetto Orchestra. They managed to pay their bills as sessions players, supporting a wide array of acts ranging from The Byrds to Barry White. Frustrated with their inability to break on their own, in 1972 the group (with a line up consisting of singer Steve Clisby, guitarists Michael Hamane and Dale Harrel Jr.

Frustrated with their inability to break on their own, in 1972 the group (with a line up consisting of singer Steve Clisby, guitarists Michael Hamane and Dale Harrel Jr., drummer Richard James, percussionist Lorezo Mills, and bassist Joe Skeete), decided to abandon the US music scene and take a stab at success in Europe. Avoiding the UK they opted to take up residence in Limburg, Holland where they caught the attention of manager/producers Piet Souer and Hans Van Hemert who proved instrumental in getting them signed to Philips (Ariola signing them to a German distribution agreement).

Released in 1974, the band debuted with the single 'angel eyes' b/w 'Let Your Life Be Led By Love'. A mix of Sly Stoned-psych and disco stomper the single proved a surprise hit. As was standard marketing procedure, Philips rushed the band into the studio to record a supporting LP - the cleverly-titled "Angel Eyes". Picking up on the band's success, Chess jumped in signing on as the band's US distributor. Who knows why, but for the domestic market Chess elected to slap an alternative cover and title on the set. Both the single and the parent LP went nowhere effectively spelling the end to their US recording career.