Classic Rock Magazine
January 2008
By: Max Bell

“Ideal bedside reading for 60’s enthusiasts
and lovers of life in the margins.”

“ Subtitled Alan Bown - My Life Story, this agreeable tome benefits from the ring of authenticity, having been written by one time ABS keyboards player and vocalist
Jeff Bannister. Bown’s band emerged from the aftermath of The John Barry Seven, and specialised in horn driven R & B with a sophisticated swing that meant they still
include the likes of Elton John, Francie Rossi and Phil Collins amongst amongst their fans.
Bannister chronicles their career with contemporary anecdotes and press clips, but the book is also a reminder of an age when paying dues on the road and musical
excellence outweighed celeb chasing.”

Shindig Magazine
January 2008
By: Nigel Lees

“All in all a completely fascinating and enlightening read and thoroughly recommended!”

“Even a cursory browse through any reasonably well stocked music book shop will reveal a multitude of tomes on just about every major force in 1960s music, indeed over the last few decades volumes on The Who, The Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix and of course The Beatles have literally inundated bookshelves to
breaking point. It is exceptional to find a book that is delivered in a similar quality usually afforded to the likes of the former that concentrates on a group who, whilst commanding the respect and admiration of many of the major players of the time, failed to replicate their commercial success.
Before And Beyond manages the rare feat of not onlymeticulously charting the fortunes and misfortunes of such a group, but presenting it in a fashion that would do the biggest names in '60s rock and pop justice....
.... A wealth of anecdotes enliven a highly entertaining expose on the trials and tribulations of a busy '60s pop group which, together with an amazing legion of details on everything from concerts and recording sessions to BBC radio appearances and  their coverage in the music press, really brings the period and its peculiarities to life--especially for those of us
who were not there at the time! Printed on glossy
paper which runs to some 240 sides and presented in hardback, Before And Beyond also features a discography and scores of rarely seen pictures including group photos, posters, handbills, adverts, gig ads and just about everything bar their laundry bills--oh and the love letters which remain in the
group's scrapbooks”