Fumble – Poetry In Lotion(1974)

Biography
Fumble were an English rock and roll revival group, that formed in 1967 and disbanded in 1982. They had specialised in covering rock and roll classics. Although they were never particularly successful, the band did achieve some recognition appearing at some festivals and on the television programme, Oh Boy!. The group was formed in 1966 in Weston-super-Mare, England, by lead guitarist, lead vocalist Des Henly and bassist, vocalist Mario Ferrari under the name of ‘The Balloons,’ with Sean Mayes on piano, vocals  and Barry Pike on drums, vocals . Henly along with Ferrari had been The Iveys (1962 – 1966), along with Remo Ferrari on rhythm guitar and John Weston on drums, later replaced by Bob Davies. In 1971 they changed their name to Fumble and, in September 1972, released this first album, on the EMI-Sovereign record label. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fumble

Album & Cover

This cover was a montage and according to Aubrey Powell, a homage to slicked-back hair and tubs of hair cream, such as Brylcreem. On the cover is a young man getting ready to go on the town doing his hair. The lighting for this photograph was done by Peter Christopherson, dark, moody and suggestive. It would be his trademark in many covers to come for Hipgnosis.

Richard Manning explains  the making of the label for the bottle on the cover : not a lot to do, just half cut through the jar print so as to be able to strip the back away and sand the edge. Sepia the edge of the jar and mount in position with Columbia Cement. Increase the highlight on the label with a weak Permanent White airbrushed away from a loosely held straight edge. http://www.richardmanning.co.uk/hipgnosis-album-cover-art/fumble-poetry-in-motion–1974/48

Cover Location: Hipgnosis Studio, London, UK
Who Did What: Photography – A. Powell/P. Christopherson. Graphics – C. Elgie. Cover Design – S. Thorgerson/P. Christopherson
Label: RCA Victor SF8403(US), RCA Victor LPL1-5082(UK)
Source: Vinyl. Album. Cover. Art, The Complete Hipgnosis Catalogue: Aubrey Powell
The Work Of Hipgnosis ‘Walk Away Rene’ – Hipgnosis & G. Hardie

Tracklist

Credits
Arranged By – Tom Parker
Bass, Vocals – Mario Ferrari
Drums – Barry Pike
Engineer – Robin Black
Guitar, Vocals – Dave Christopher
Piano, Vocals – Sean Mayes
Producer – Shel Talmy
Vocals [Lead], Guitar – Des Henley

Notes; Released in the US in 1975