Rough Mix was recorded during downtime for Pete Townshend as the Who had commenced a year's vacation away from the road and the studio. Ronnie Lane's career since he left the Faces in '73, was floundering as his Slim Chance band had all but split by '76 and despite a brief reunion rehearsal with his old mates in the Small Faces, Lane found himself contractually bound by Atlantic records to provide product for the label, and in joining forces with Townshend, this seemed an opportune chance for Lane to boost his flagging musical career. It couldn't have happened at a better time, as it turns out, and the musical bond between Townshend and Lane proved to be a fruitful and interesting collaboration. My Baby Gives it Away leads off the record featuring Charlie Watts behind the kit, on this upbeat and melodic Townshend original, providing the impetus of modernized sound that would be displayed on Townshend's future Empty Glass solo album; Pete's playing is inspired as he riffs and solos his way through this excitingly bouncy, upbeat number. Nowhere to Run features Lane's first contribution and is a laid-back, mellower song that is complimented by John "Rabbit" Bundrick's delightful organ playing and Peter Hope Evans' stately harmonica accompaniment; one can hear the use of mandolin and ukulele cutting through this number and provides a humbling aspect to the album's varied musical soundscape.

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Eric Clapton appears on the title track, which is a jaunty, rockin' instrumental that boogies along with some nice organ playing again from "Rabbit", as well as the solid bass lines of Lane underlying throughout as its pulse. Annie is a melancholic folk ballad written by Lane, peppered with violin and string bass, adding another texture to the contemplative mood from this somber, yet touching track. Keep Me Turning is a very strong Townshend original that gives an equal amount of artistic merit to this collection thus far and is a personal favorite of mine as this number represents Townshend, the writer, as opposed to his customary role as the leading light of the Who and it gives him a chance to show a simpler, more delicate side to his songwriting style. Catmelody is a fun little ditty from Lane and features Watts again on drums, along with the wild sax playing of Mel Collins(ex-King Crimson) and the boogie-woogie piano playing of Ian "Stu" Stewart, that justifiably renders this number as freewheeling fun.

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Misunderstood by Townshend follows and adds more fun to the proceedings as its a quirky little number featuring the mysterious credit of an unknown quantity, "Bijou Drains-Gulp". Incidentally, it is Townshend under a pseudonym and he incorporates the use of his throat muscles, which, through microphone manipulation and studio technique, provides the interesting percussion beat offered as something unique and fun to this interesting number . April Fool is absolutely one of Ronnie Lane's best songs written and is duly one of the main tracks contained within Rough Mix's song list. Clapton plays dobro on this majestic track and Lane, accordingly, delivers one of his best vocals ever to adorn vinyl. Townshend's Street in the City is another major track as well, featuring a string section that broadens the depth and beauty to this masterful number and adds yet another reason as to the keen validity of this record.

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Heart to Hang Onto features Lane and Townshend trading vocals on this Townshend original and is a track that is earthy and has a strong presence that builds upon the song's upbeat bridge section and also features a brass arrangement from Who bassist, John Entwistle, complimenting Rabbit's eloquent electric piano arrangement. Till All The Rivers Run Dry ends the album in a typically, wistful and laid-back country/folk manner, coupled with excellent harmonies on the song's beautiful chorus, featuring Clapton again on dobro, complimenting Townshend's stately electric guitar breaks wonderfully. I like Rough Mix and feel it is an overlooked and masterful recording from two mates whom were instrumental in the construction of British Rock and managed to create something that added further relevance to both of their parallel, musical careers.

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Grade Rating- A