Scottish singer Mike Patto founded the band Timebox in London in 1966, together with guitarist Ollie Halsall, bassist Clive Griffiths, drummer John Halsey and keyboardist Chris Holmes. After a few unsuccessful singles Chris Holmes left the band and Timebox became Patto in 1970. They were a fantastic live band who impressively brought their brilliant musicality on stage. This attracted the interest of several record companies. As a result, they signed a record deal with the progressive label Vertigo. Their eponymous debut album, produced by Muff Winwood (Steve Winwood’s older brother) with Brian Humphries as sound engineer, was released not only in England but also in seven other countries worldwide, including the USA and Japan.

It offers an exciting blend of complex, progressive heavy rock with touches of jazz and blues. The exceptional musician Ollie Halsall was not only a virtuoso guitarist but also excelled on both the piano and the vibraphone, from which he drew out complex jazzy elements. Although their LP, featuring a cover illustration by Tony Benyon, was criminally underrated upon its release in 1970, they remained in demand as a live band and therefore recorded a second album in 1971. Their debut album sold poorly at the time, but today it is highly sought-after worldwide as a British original on the legendary Swirl label.