Can’t Get Off the Planet – The Recordings 1968-1973

Pete Brown first came to prominence as a performance poet and a lyricist for compositions by Jack Bruce for Cream and Jack’s solo work. In 1968 Pete formed the band The Battered Ornaments and recorded the album A Meal You Can Shake Hands With in the Dark, one of the first releases of EMI’s Harvest label in July 1969. Upon being dismissed by his band members on the eve of a performance supporting the Rolling Stones at Hyde Park that year, Pete formed the band Piblokto!I and began a song writing partnership with guitarist Jim Mullen. The band’s blend of jazz and progressive influences was unique and they earned a loyal following on the underground live circuit. The band’s debut album Things May Come and Things May Go, But the Art School Dance Goes On Forever was released in 1970 and enjoyed considerable success in France. The first Piblokto! single, ‘Living Life Backwards’ was also a hit in France and was later covered by Jeff Beck. Thousands on a Raft was the last Piblokto! album and was once again a hit in France. Following concerts in France in October 1971, the band dissolved, and Pete formed Bond and Brown with Graham Bond. This group recorded the album Two Heads Are Better Than One and the ‘Lost Tribe’ EP for the Chapter 1 label in 1972 before also breaking up at the end of that year. In 1973 Pete embarked on the Brown and Friends project which saw him record material with a group including Jack Bruce and Jeff Beck among their ranks.