Julie Driscoll, Brian Auger & The Trinity – Open

Recorded in a single session in 1967 at Chappell Studios in London, Open marked a bold debut for the trio. The album effortlessly melds jazz-rock improvisation with soul, psychedelic pop, and R&B. Auger’s Hammond organ work drives the rhythm section through intricate instrumentals on Side A (“In and Out,” “Isola Natale”), while Julie Driscoll’s vocals bring a smoky, soulful presence to Side B, especially on covers like Otis Redding’s “Tramp” and the emotionally charged “Why (Am I Treated So Bad?)”.

Touted today as a cult classic, Open captures a fluid moment in late-’60s British music—when genre boundaries blurred and experimentation ruled. Its dynamic range—from tender piano laments to percussive freak-outs—reflects both Auger’s improvisational flair and Driscoll’s emotive power.