The Mooch were a British psychedelic/hard-rock band from East Anglia, who built up a name for themselves in places such as Sudbury, Braintree, and Halstead, and landed a recording contract with Pye Records during the late 1960's. Brian Tatum, formerly of the Baskervilles, played organ and sang lead, while American-born Dave Winthrop, later of Supertramp, Chicken Shack, Fleetwood Mac, and Secret Affair, played sax; lead guitarist Ian Pearce, who later played with such 70s's progressive rock acts as Fusion and Jane, was still working as a musician (with Chalice) and producer as of 2004. The Mooche's rendition of "Hot Smoke And Sassafras" -- which originated with the International Artists band Bubble Puppy -- was an edgy, driving reworking that was as much heavy metal as psychedelic in nature, and said great things about this band, who seemed as much a proto-Deep Purple-type outfit as a product of the Summer of Love. ~ Bruce Eder, All Music Guide