Oblivion Express is a British jazz-rock and fusion band formed in 1970 by keyboardist Brian Auger after the break-up of Brian Auger & The Trinity. Blending Hammond organ jazz, rock, soul, funk, Latin rhythms and psychedelic influences, the band became one of the spearheads of jazz-rock fusion in the early 1970s. Key members over the years included guitarist Jim Mullen, bassist Barry Dean, drummers Robbie McIntosh and Steve Ferrone, percussionist Lennox Laington, guitarist Jack Mills and singer Alex Ligertwood. Their music combined long improvisations with groovy arrangements and engaging themes, notably on albums such as Oblivion Express (1971), A Better Land (1971), Second Wind (1972), Closer to It (1973), Straight Ahead (1974) and the diptych Live Oblivion Vols 1 & 2 (1974-1976). Renowned for their virtuosity, powerful rhythm section and Brian Auger's distinctive keyboard playing, Oblivion Express helped bridge the gap between British progressive jazz-rock and American jazz-funk during the jazz fusion era. Still going strong, the band went on to produce the albums Keys to the Heart (1987), Voices of Other Times (2000), Looking in the Eye of the World (2007) and Live in Los Angeles (2015). Present on this live recording, Alex Ligertwood died in Santa Monica on April 30, 2026, at the age of 79.
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