IF

If was a seminal band formed in 1969 as Britain’s answer to the pioneering U.S. bands Blood, Sweat and Tears and Chicago. Unlike these groups, however, If did not have a trumpet or trombone player but instead featured two saxophone players. Essentially a live band, true to its strong jazz influences, If was one of the few jazz-rock groups, both then and now, to feature solos by all the band members, not just by the lead instruments. Like early pioneers Chicago, If were difficult to classify with any of their contemporaries; they seemed out of place wherever they played, and were considered too jazzy when billed with groups with more of a rock orientation, and too bluesy or loud when billed with more jazz-oriented bands. They toured extensively in Europe and the United States during the early 1970s, with two U.S. tours during their first year, performing at most of the major read more...