1. No One To Depend On (4:20)
2. Why Can't We Be Lovers (3:40)
3. Rebirth (3:50)
4. Easy Come, Easy Go (3:12)
5. Love Letters (2:55)
6. Hall's Delight (2:50)
7. If I Ever Loose This Heaven (3:37)
8. What Are You Under (2:53)
9. Make It Sweet (3:33)
10. Life Is A Tortured Love Affair (2:52)

Coke Escovedo - Percussion
Frank Mercurio - Keyboards
Joe Rubino - Guitar
Calvin Tillery - Lead Vocals
Linda Tillery - Lead Vocals
Mark Philipps - Bass
Harvey Mason - Drums
Pete Risso - Drums
Vince Denim - Saxophone
Forrest Buchtel - Horns
Mike Kirkhouse - Horns
Ron Smith - Horns
Vince Denim - Horns
Joanna Hervig - Strings
Miriam Dye - Strings
Nathan Rubin - Strings
Roy Malan - Strings
Teresa Adams - Strings
Maxine Willard - Backing Vocals
Julia Tillman - Backing Vocals

"The late percussionist Thomas "Coke" Escovedo came from a very musical family -- he was the brother of Pete Escovedo and the uncle of Sheila Escovedo, who started going by Sheila E. after joining forces with Prince in the 1980s. Although not as well known as those relatives, Coke Escovedo had an impressive track record that included working with Santana and founding the band Azteca. In the '70s, Escovedo recorded three little known solo albums for Mercury, the first of which was 1975's Coke. The music is soul/funk with occasional jazz and Latin overtones -- not as ambitious as Santana or Azteca, but generally rewarding nonetheless. Escovedo wasn't a lead singer, which means that on Coke, Linda and Calvin Tillery provide the lead vocals. Linda has her share of inspired moments, and she really lets loose on the funky "Easy Come, Easy Go" as well as Smokey Robinson's "Love Letters," and a stunning remake of Santana's "No One to Depend On" (which Escovedo co-wrote). Calvin's contributions aren't as memorable as Linda's. His performance on Leon Ware's "If I Ever Lose This Heaven" is pleasant, although it falls short of the excellence of the Average White Band's better known version. But more often than not, Coke is excellent, and it's also the most essential of Escovedo's three solo albums."

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1. Fly 2:25
2. Voice on the Wind 5:24
3. Rainbow Man 2:21
4. Cry for Me 3:59
5. No One Will Ever Know 2:42
6. Reincarnation 4:07
7. Hello Little Sister 1:59
8. Keep on Pushin' 5:57
9. Inside Your Mind 2:43
10. Lay It Down 4:45

Simone Posthuma
Marijke Koger
Barry Finch
Josje Leeger

AMG:
"The Fool (1969) is an obscure piece of music history centering around a quartet of Dutch multimedia artists, Simon Kooer, Marijke Kooer, Josje Leeger, and Barry Finch. Their earliest clientele included model Patti Boyd Harrison Clapton (aka "Layla"), whose psychedelic gear caught the eye of Daily Mirror fashion editor Felicity Green. One of their more high-profile gigs involved decorating for the Beatles, including the entire side of the Fab Four's short-lived Apple boutique on Baker Street in London, as well as a Rolls-Royce and grand piano for John Lennon. They also designed some of the era's most notable LP jackets, including the Incredible String Band's 5000 Spirits or the Layers of the Onion (1967), the Move's self-titled debut album (1968), and the Hollies' Evolution (1967). Undoubtedly, it was the connection with the latter that resulted in Graham Nash's involvement as producer on this collection. Musically, the Fool often resemble the far-out folk of the aforementioned Incredible String Band. This is especially the case with the choral lead vocals on "Fly" and "Reincarnation," blending Eastern philosophy with a distinct delivery style similar to that of an English ballad. "Rainbow Man" is an edgier rocker driven by a solid Bo Diddley rhythm, while the acoustic guitars give the number a rural and freewheelin' feeling. "No One Will Ever Know" stands out with its interminably catchy uptempo melody, while the trippy vocals from Marijke and Josje have an oddly hypnotic effect. The slinky soulful "Keep On Pushin'" is an extended instrumental that may include an uncredited Nash, whose harmonica blows are challenged by an equally impassioned bagpipe solo. While hopelessly dated, The Fool is fun for inclined parties and worth searching for. The Fool...Plus (1998) is a U.K. reissue of this ten-track long-player as well as a pair of previously unearthed sides, "We Are One" and "Shining Light," presumably derived from the same sessions as this effort."

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