Captain Marryat

Privately pressed in Scotland in 1974, Captain Marryat is a true lost gem of British progressive hard rock. Released in just 150 to 200 copies on the band’s own Thor label and sold only at gigs, it quickly vanished and became one of the rarest private press LPs of its time.

Named after Captain Frederick Marryat, the Glasgow group grew from a trio into a five-piece with Tommy Hendry, Ian McEleny, Allan Bryce, Hugh Finnegan and Jimmy Rorrison. A planned single turned into a full album session, capturing five originals and the improvised instrumental Dance Of Thor.

With echoes of Deep Purple, Uriah Heep and Beggars Opera, the record runs on Hammond organ, fierce guitar and melodic vocals, moving from Blindness and It Happened To Me to Changes and Dance Of Thor. The band ended in 1975, but this lone album has earned lasting cult status.