Vertigo/Repertoire 
Affinity (1970)*****
Background Rec.Linda Hoyle : Pieces of me (1971)***'
While Affinity is instrumentally a masterpiece and Linda's voice perfectly fits into it (Affinity is heavy and more moody jazzy rock with the voice of Linda at its most heavy. Similar voices and energy can be heard in Jefferson Airplane, but even more in Julian's Treatment, Analogy, Delivery, but also Sandrose, Curved Air, Earth and Fire,Heart,... I like it very much, even "all along the Watchtower's" 12 minutes more freak out version I find it splendid), her solo album has a different approach and mood. It gives more attention to the singer, with various more soul driven songs, bluesrock, most of it very orchestrated. With songs from Nina Simone and Laura Nyro, it's clear that the area is different here. Never the less there has been (too) much studio work on the songs, making them more heavy and a bit more difficult to consume. The freak-out guitars and organ on the title track come somewhat unexpected. The album is varied, and time is needed to fully comprehend its full range / content. Participating are Chris Spedding and Soft Machine members John Marshall and Karl Jenkins. The album is fine but is more difficult to appreciate and understand immediately after having heard Affinity first. Therefore it's better to compare it with solo albums from other female singers from around these days / times.
