Running Man was a British band project led by the highly regarded and much sought-after session guitarist, bassist and producer Ray Russell. Two other outstanding musicians completed this short-lived trio: the singer, pianist, organist, bassist, producer and co-founder of Harsh Reality, Alan Greed, and the drummer Alan Rushton, who also appeared alongside Russell on Bill Fay’s second album, Time Of The Last Persecution, among other projects. Thanks to their reputation within the British music scene, they were quickly signed by RCA’s progressive sub-label Neon. During the recording of their first and only album, they were supported by jazz trumpeter and flugelhorn player Harry Beckett and saxophonist Gary Windo.

Their debut album was released in February 1972 and offers an excellent blend of heavy rock, blues and progressive elements, rough rock vocals and jazzy improvisations, short rock tracks and longer, more free-form titles. It was the final album released on the Neon label, as RCA eventually pulled the plug and discontinued the label in the face of poor sales figures. Although the record sold poorly, it is regarded by many as one of the label’s finest releases and is therefore a sought-after rarity worldwide today. Following the band’s break-up, Russell formed another short-lived group called Mouse, with whom he released the album Lady Killer in 1973, which is also a rarity today.