Curtiss & Maldoon - Sepheryn (The Definitive Collection 1971-73) (2011)

This anthology contains virtually the entire Curtiss Maldoon catalog. It has the Curtiss Maldoon album, every song but one ("Monkerwollik," omitted for space reasons) from the Maldoon album (which was credited to Maldoon, but actually recorded by Curtiss Maldoon), four previously unissued outtakes, an unissued alternate version of "On My Own Again" (from Muldoon), and the non-LP B-side, "Amber Man." It's run-of-the-mill early-'70s singer/songwriter rock, sometimes with a period British rock influence (guest musicians on the first album include Steve Howe, Tony Ashton and Roy Dyke). There's not much difference between the two LPs, although the first (which has "Serephyn," the prototype for Madonna's "Ray of Light") is a little harder-rocking than the folkier and moodier follow-up. ~ Richie Unterberger