From their beginnings as ambitious school friends in the late sixties, Genesis quickly established themselves as one of the most imaginative forces in British progressive rock. A run of increasingly adventurous albums, coupled with the theatrical presence of Peter Gabriel, carried the group from cult curiosity to international acclaim. Yet by the close of the sprawling tour for The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway (1974), Gabriel’s departure left many wondering whether the story of Genesis had reached its final chapter.

Instead, Tony Banks, Mike Rutherford, Phil Collins and Steve Hackett chose to continue as a four piece. Retreating to write what would become their seventh studio album, A Trick of the Tail (1976), they composed a wealth of new material without any clear idea of who might handle the lead vocals. Audition tapes arrived in droves, but it was only after some persuasion that Phil Collins stepped forward to attempt a guide vocal on ‘Squonk’. The performance proved decisive, and he soon found himself assuming the lead role for the remainder of the record.

The recordings gathered here capture the uncertainty and excitement of those first steps. When the band entered Trident Studios in October, the identity of their singer was still unresolved, and many of the performances were taped as instrumentals or rough frameworks awaiting a voice. What remains is a fascinating window into Genesis at work, from early run throughs and evolving arrangements to alternate passes that illuminate how these much-loved songs took shape.

1          Beloved Summer  5:45

2          Ripples (Part One)  4:44

3          Ripples (Part Two)  4:11

4          Robbery, Assault And Battery  6:36

5          Los Endos  2:55

6          Mad Man Moon (Piano Version)  8:00

7          A Trick Of The Tail  4:39

8          Dance On A Volcano  6:02

9          Indians  5:31

10        Ripples  10:15

11        Robbery, Assault And Battery  5:46

12        Los Endos  6:51

13        Carpet Crawlers (Alternate Version)  5:30