(Review from allmusic, wikipedia, headpins.net, amazon)

Half-Italian, half-Arabian Frank Marino grew up in Montreal surrounded by music and at the age of 14, formed what would become Mahogany Rush with Paul Harwood on bass and drummer Jim Ayoub in 1970. The name Mahogany Rush was less a band name and more a description of the experience of taking LSD.

Without question, Hendrix was a major influence on the hard rock power trio; you could hear it in leader Frank Marino’s singing as well as his electric guitar playing. But ultimately, Mahogany Rush sounded like itself.

Mahogany Rush’s third album, Strange Universe is as melodic as it is forceful. As aggressively as Mahogany Rush rocks on gems like “Tryin’ Anyway”, “Dancing Anyway” and “Dear Music”; this 1975 album never fails to be musical. One hears overtones of progressive rock, psychedelic rock and jazz-rock fusion on much of the material, and Mahogany Rush’s lyrics aren’t the typical boy-meets-girl fare-in fact, the threesome explores gothic fantasy themes on “Land of 1000 Nights,” “Tales of the Spanish Warrior” and other cuts.

From the dark insiduous quasi-funk of ‘Tales of Spanish Warrior’ to the fading swirl of the title track, there isn’t a single dull moment in this great album.

Line-up:
- Frank Marino / Synthesizer, Guitar, Drums, Keyboards, Vocals, Moog Synthesizer
- Jimmy Ayoub / Percussion, Drums
- Paul Harwood / Bass, Guitar

Track List:
01. Tales of Spanish Warrior (4:57)
02. The King Who Stole (…the Universe) (3:57)
03. Satisfy Your Soul (3:17)
04. Land of 1000 Nights (4:44)
05. Moonlight Lady (4:08)
06. Dancing Lady (3:11)
07. Once Again (3:34)
08. Tryin’ Anyway (3:45)
09. Dear Music (4:19)
10. Strange Universe (6:58)

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