The Alan Price Rhythm & Blues Combo

The Alan Price Rhythm & Blues Combo, similarly named but distinct from the Alan Price Set and other post-Animals Alan Price projects, was the direct precursor to the Animals. In the group's rather confusing genesis, keyboardist Price had played with singer Eric Burdon and drummer John Steel, both also future Animals, in several groups, including the Kansas City Five, before Price left to join the Kon-tours. Price subsequently formed the Alan Price Rhythm and Blues Combo, which included another future Animal, bassist Chas Chandler. Burdon eventually joined the group, and John Steel came aboard in September of 1963 to replace Barry Preston. Guitarist Hilton Valentine joined around the same time, completing the quintet that comprised the original Animals lineup. However, before adopting the Animals name, the group continued to work for a bit under the Alan Price Rhythm & Blues Combo billing. They were still known by that name when they made their first recording, the four-song EP I Just Wanna Make to Love You, in September. These songs were issued as a one-sided 12" disc, pressed by the band themselves and sold, in all likelihood, exclusively to their fans in Newcastle. (It is also known as the Graphic Sound EP, as it was recorded in Graphic Sound studio.) It included raw but effective covers of four R&B standards, only one of which ("Boom Boom") they would re-record on their widely distributed releases of the mid-'60s. Late in 1963, the outfit's name was changed to the Animals, and shortly after they landed a proper recording deal. One of the prime British Invasion rarities, the tracks have shown up on legitimate widely available reissues numerous times, including as bonus CD tracks on both the Sequel compilation Inside Looking Out: The 1965-1966 Sessions and the Repertoire reissue of Animalisms. ~ Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide