Patto – Roll'em Smoke'em Put Another Line Out (Reissue) (1972/1996)

Patto was a progressive jazz-rock band formed in England in 1970 formed by vocalist Mike Patto with a lineup taken from TIMEBOX consisting of vocalist Patto, drummer John Halsey, guitarist and vibraphone player Ollie Halsall and bassist Clive Griffiths. In 1970, Patto was formed using members of Timebox and was signed to the newly formed Vertigo label. With Muff Winwood as producer, they recorded their first album live in studio in an attempt to capture the raw virtuosity of Ollie Halsall's guitar playing and Mike Patto's voice, the latter having a voice between Rod Stewart and Paul Rodgers. The album Patto although not a commercial success is thought by some to be an important contribution to prog rock. In December 1971, Patto entered the studio again to record their second album Hold Your Fire after which they were dropped from the Vertigo roster. Despite poor record sales they were becoming known an exciting live act. Through his connections in England Muff Winwood was able to have the band signed to Island and they recorded the album Roll 'em Smoke 'em Put Another Line Out during 1972.

In 1973, the band began to record their fourth album. Mike Patto used more of his songs which were less cynical than the usual Patto material and much more commercial. The ensuing album Monkey's Bum was not released (until 1995). Without Halsall and with each member now involved in other projects Mike Patto chose to disband Patto, going on to form BOXER with Halsall. Olie Halsall would soon go on to later in John HISEMAN's TEMPEST, but the young guitar wizard would find an untimely death, later on in the 70?s.