Ronnie April is a real character. His Wikipedia page is littered with big names he’s supposedly jammed with or drank coffee with, which is a bit of a surprise. Especially when you consider that Ron Aprea, his real name, isn’t exactly a household name. At least not across the generations. But back in the 1970s, when his sleazy, lazy, let’s face it, slightly naff fusion jazz was all the rage, it was a different story. Ron Aprea was the man. Even if his solo efforts were only half decent.
»Ronnie April’s Positive Energy Volume 1« was supposed to be the soundtrack to shag carpets and hairspray, the musical equivalent of a perm and a Laura Ashley dress. But it didn’t sell—people in the 1970s didn’t want to listen to music that sounded as outdated as their lives. But, as the old stock markets adage goes, a loss isn’t a loss until you sell. So: HODL! And so, after a couple of decades, the album resurfaces, and it’s a real doozy, sending everyone from the last living James Last fan to the average pub-goer straight onto the dancefloor. The only downside? It’s still just »Volume 1«—unless someone has stumbled across a hidden gem in their garage.
