A Band of Angels

A Music group of Angels released 4 singles from 1964-1966 without building much of an effect, and so are known exclusively for featuring pianist/singer Mike d’Abo, who in mid-1966 replaced Paul Jones as Manfred Mann’s business lead vocalist. Their singles, primarily compiled by d’Abo, weren’t poor, though they weren’t stylistically constant. “Me,” a near-gem of overlooked English Invasion R&B-pop, sounded just like a mix between the Very Issues and early Little Encounters; its B-side, “INCORRECT UP TO NOW,” was just like a even more Merseybeat-inclined Dave Clark Five; their cover of Neil Sedaka’s “She’ll Under no circumstances Become You” sounded like Gerry & the Pacemakers; and “As well Late My Like” was waltzing orchestral pop/rock and roll. Six from the eight paths through the singles are included on the compilation The Mike d’Abo Collection, Vol. 1: Purses and handbags & Gladrags, though unfortunately that’s lacking two of their tracks, “Keep It if you ask me” and “Cheat and Lay.”