1975's For Earth Below proved a turning point for Robin Trower.  The ex-Procol Harum guitarist's third solo set, it introduced drummer Bill Lordan to Trower's power trio which also included singer-bassist James Dewar.  Building on the success of its predecessor, Bridge of Sighs, the album became Trower's most successful in the United States and solidified his place in the guitar-hero pantheon.  Now, Chrysalis Records has revisited the blues-rock classic in a new 4CD mediabook edition, mirroring the format of last year's reissue of Bridge of Sighs.  (It's also available in digital and 2LP "highlights" versions.)

Produced by Trower's old Procol Harum bandmate Matthew Fisher, For Earth Below featured eight original songs all written or co-written by Trower.  Bill Lordan had a daunting task in filling the shoes of Reg Isadore, but he succeeded by bringing a whole new energy to Trower's sound.  American-born Lordan had played with the likes of Bobby Womack, Ike and Tina Turner, and Sly and the Family Stone before coming into Trower's orbit.  He brought a sure sense of funk to the guitarist's usual milieu, and stayed in Trower's band until 1981.

At the centerpiece of the new For Earth Below is Richard Whittaker's stereo remix of the original album which was recorded at Los Angeles' Record Plant rather than in Trower's native England.  It brings a new clarity to the original album, as if lifting a layer of gauze off the recordings.  There's more detail to the individual players' contributions, and moreover, Whittaker has extended many of the tracks.  Not every cut is dramatically different from those with which longtime listeners will be familiar, but Trower aficionados are sure to savor the extended endings and added licks of the visceral, Hendrix-inspired "Shame the Devil" or the slow-burning, soul-tinged "It's Only Money."  Trower's guitar is essentially the lead voice here, complemented by Dewar's full-throated, rough-hewn vocals.  Yet there's not flash for flash's sake; his guitar mesmerizes without showboating.  Indeed, his intuitive control of the instrument is one of the most impressive aspects of his performance here.

Throughout the new mix, fades are extended, or songs come to their natural hard stops as played in the studio, giving a little extra zing to the proceedings.  Whittaker has also emphasized the heaviness and grit, including on the atmospheric and moody title track.  For purists, the original 1975 album mix has been newly remastered, too, by Phil Kinrade at AIR Mastering.

In either version, For Earth Below remains a high watermark in the Trower discography. Lordan's funky drumming shines throughout, but perhaps most on "Fine Day;" David Sinclair's liner notes here reveal that the drummer and guitarist had bonded over their shared love of Hendrix.  Lordan had jammed with Jimi and almost joined his band; they would both keep the spirit of the Hendrix sound alive.  "A Tale Untold" opens with a Rhythm King drum machine pattern before Lordan brings the human touch to the track; the juxtaposition makes for one of the album's most beguiling concoctions.  James Dewar's vocals brought gravitas to the session, as on the snarling "Confessin' Midnight" and aggressive "Gonna Be More Suspicious."

The Gold-certified album reached No. 26 in the U.K., but soared to No. 5 in the U.S. and No. 9 in Canada, solidifying Trower's fame in North America and on the FM airwaves.  For Earth Below has been reissued numerous times before, including a stellar 2013 edition on Iconoclassic Records as remastered by Vic Anesini.  The 50th Anniversary set, however, is the first to add bonus material - and it's copious, indeed.  The third disc, Outtakes and Rarities, offers five studio takes (including "Happy" and "The Moody One," neither of which made the original LP) as well as the trio's January 28, 1975 Top of the Pops performance and their January 29 gig for BBC Live in Concert.  A nearly eighteen-minute jam rounds out this disc.  The studio alternates are fascinating if not revelatory; Dewar is clearly finding the path to the lyrics while Trower is typically confident and Lordan surprisingly assured.  "Happy" (labeled "Vocal Take 1") is a swaggering and crunchy number that would have fit comfortably on the original album; "The Moody One" (in its "Instrumental Take 2") offers the requisite pyrotechnics.  While the Top of the Pops performances are a mixed bag - perhaps they would impress more with visuals - the band is on fire with the very next day's Live in Concert offering.  (Note that the BBC tracks, due to licensing restrictions, are not available on digital services.)  One's mileage will vary on the lengthy instrumental jam, but it's a testament to Trower's prowess as a bandleader that whenever it threatens to meander, he keeps the energy from flagging and gets it back on track.

The fourth disc of the CD box presents a previously unreleased recording of the trio's concert at Los Angeles' Shrine Auditorium (a frequent past home of both the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards) on March 16, 1975.  The concert was one of the band's first American shows of the year and followed the February release of For Earth Below.  The material was fresh and the band was invigorated as they ran through many of the album's songs including "Gonna Be More Suspicious," "Fine Day," "Alethea," and "Confessin' Midnight" alongside material from Bridge of Sighs (the title track, "The Fool and Me," "Day of the Eagle," "Too Rolling Stoned," "Lady Love," "Little Bit of Sympathy") and 1973's Twice Removed from Yesterday ("Daydream," "Rock Me Baby").  The new songs meshed well in Trower's setlist; the songs rocked even harder than in their studio renditions due to the audience's enthusiastic response.

This set, helmed by executive producer James Batsford and designed by Ben Lewis, includes a 20-page booklet with David Sinclair's notes as well as photos and master tape scans.  Surprisingly, Trower admits in the essay, "[For Earth Below is] not one of my favorites...there are quite a few of my albums that I prefer, that I'm prouder of..."  Yet he confesses a fondness for "Gonna Be More Suspicious," "Shame the Devil," and "For Earth Below."  This well-curated set makes both a solid introduction to the LP for those new to Trower and a welcome expansion for those who've long been waiting for such a release.  It's a fine day, indeed.

For Earth Below: 50th Anniversary Edition is available now at the below links.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

4CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada​​