The Exiles – ‘Turning Time’

(Bad Reputation Records)

Every now and again an album comes along that makes you wonder how on earth it managed to slip through the cracks in the first place. Turning Time by The Exiles is one of those albums. Originally recorded and released in a very limited form back in 1996, this long-lost gem has finally been dragged out of the archives, given a substantial makeover and handed the second chance it so richly deserves. And believe me, if you have even a passing affection for blues-based Hard Rock, classic British rock or the glory days of big riffs and soulful vocals, you are going to want to hear this.

The story behind Turning Time is almost as fascinating as the music itself. The Exiles were essentially a collection of English musicians living and working in Los Angeles, led by guitarist Sean Manning and vocalist Paul Rafferty. The original album appeared just as the musical landscape was undergoing a seismic shift, with grunge sweeping across America and the commercial appetite for traditional Hard Rock disappearing almost overnight. In another era, and perhaps with a little more luck, The Exiles could have been a serious proposition.

Listening to Turning Time three decades later, it becomes increasingly difficult to understand why they didn't get their moment.

This is classic, earthy, blues-soaked Rock 'N' Roll with a distinctly British flavour. The influences are obvious without ever feeling completely derivative. There is plenty of Led Zeppelin in the DNA, along with the swagger of Free, Bad Company and The Faces, while the occasional Southern-rock and blues-rock flavour gives the whole thing a wonderfully organic character.

What really makes the album work is its sheer authenticity. This isn't polished-to-within-an-inch-of-its-life modern Hard Rock. There is grit, looseness and genuine feeling running through these performances. The guitars have weight and character, the rhythm section grooves rather than simply keeping time, and the production retains enough rawness to make everything feel alive.

At the heart of it all is Paul Rafferty's magnificent voice. There is a wonderfully weathered quality to his delivery, a powerful bluesy rasp that sits somewhere between the commanding approach of Paul Rodgers, the swagger of Rod Stewart and the earthy howl of Robert Plant. He doesn't simply sing these songs; he sounds as though he has lived them. Whether he's delivering a full-throated Rock vocal or pulling things back for the more soulful and reflective moments, there is always genuine emotion behind the performance.

Then there is Sean Manning, and what a guitarist this man is. His playing is wonderfully expressive, moving effortlessly between muscular riffing, bluesy bends, slide guitar, acoustic passages and scorching lead work. There is no shortage of technical ability here, but thankfully the emphasis is always on feel. Manning understands that the best guitar playing isn't necessarily about how many notes you can cram into a bar; it's about making those notes matter.

And that philosophy extends to the arrangements. Turning Time isn't simply fifteen tracks of guitar-heavy Blues Rock hammered relentlessly into submission. There is light and shade throughout the album, with acoustic guitars, mandolin, harmonica, Hammond organ, piano and orchestration adding different textures to the mix. Manning himself has spoken about his admiration for Jimmy Page's use of light and shade, and that influence is particularly apparent in the way the heavier material is contrasted with more atmospheric passages.

The Hammond organ is particularly effective, giving several of the arrangements that wonderful seventies warmth that modern production often struggles to recreate. It adds depth without overwhelming the guitars, while the acoustic and more soulful sections provide breathing space and stop the album becoming one long exercise in volume.

There is also a wonderfully loose, lived-in quality to the material. This is Rock music with swagger. It struts. It grooves. It occasionally gets downright filthy. Yet there is also a surprisingly soulful side to The Exiles, with the band demonstrating that they understand the importance of dynamics and atmosphere just as much as they understand the importance of a killer riff.

The 2026 edition is more than simply a dusty reissue. The album has been remastered, expanded with five previously unreleased pieces and enhanced with additional guitar, vocal and keyboard work, including contributions from veteran keyboard player Jeff Jacobs. Rather than attempting to disguise its origins, the new edition gives the material a fresh lease of life while preserving the character that made it special in the first place.

And that's really the great tragedy of Turning Time. This music was made at exactly the wrong moment. Had The Exiles released this material a few years earlier, when blues-infused Hard Rock was flourishing, or even during the late-eighties boom, I suspect we would be talking about them in very different terms today. The ingredients were all there: huge riffs, soulful vocals, guitar heroics, memorable melodies and enough swagger to fill a stadium.

Instead, they became one of those great "what if?" stories.

Thankfully, history has now given The Exiles another opportunity. Turning Time sounds like an album that has been waiting patiently for someone to rediscover it. It may have taken thirty years, but better late than never.

For fans of Led Zeppelin, Free, Bad Company, The Faces, The Black Crowes and blues-drenched classic Hard Rock, this is an absolute no-brainer. It has heart, attitude, musicianship and, most importantly, songs that feel genuine.

Turning Time isn't simply an archaeological curiosity from a forgotten musical era. It is a bloody good Rock album. Sometimes the lost treasures really are worth digging for.

‘Turning Time’ gets things underway with a gloriously bluesy swagger. Big guitars, a beautifully lived-in vocal and a groove that immediately transports you back to the golden age of classic Hard Rock. There is plenty of grit here, but also melody and atmosphere. A superb introduction to The Exiles’ distinctive sound.

‘Rainmaker’ is a wonderfully earthy rocker driven by a chunky guitar foundation and plenty of attitude. Paul Rafferty sounds magnificent, bringing that smoky, blues-soaked quality to every line. The whole thing has a loose, almost bar-room feel that makes it wonderfully authentic.

‘Soul Woman’, the blues really comes to the forefront here, with soulful vocals and a deliciously laid-back groove. There is a swaggering quality to the performance, while Sean Manning adds some beautifully expressive guitar work. It is effortlessly cool.

‘Tearing Up A Storm’, as the title suggests, this is where The Exiles really crank things up. Harder-edged guitars meet a powerful rhythm section, creating a proper old-school Rock workout. Plenty of energy, plenty of swagger and absolutely no shortage of attitude.

‘Ain’t No Fool’ is a punchy, riff-driven rocker with a wonderfully infectious chorus. Rafferty delivers another terrific vocal performance, while the band locks into a groove that feels completely natural. It has that classic seventies Hard Rock spirit without sounding like a mere tribute act.

‘Travelling Blues’ is a slower, bluesier affair that showcases the band’s ability to create atmosphere. The guitars have plenty of warmth and the performance feels wonderfully organic. This is blues-rock in its purest form, soulful, unhurried and dripping with feeling.

‘Friend’ is one of the more melodic moments on the album, with a strong emotional core and plenty of warmth. The arrangement allows the vocals to take centre stage while the guitars provide tasteful colour around them. A beautifully heartfelt piece of classic Rock.

‘Feminine Side’, back comes the swagger with another groove-heavy slice of blues-based Hard Rock. There is a wonderfully dirty guitar tone running through the performance, while Rafferty gives the song plenty of character. Rough around the edges in all the right ways.

‘Richmond Castle Walk’, a fascinating change of pace that highlights the band’s more atmospheric side. Acoustic textures and subtle instrumentation give this one an almost traditional feel before the Rock elements gradually make their presence felt. A lovely example of The Exiles’ versatility.

‘Woman Let It Shine’, soulful, melodic and wonderfully warm, this is another track where Rafferty’s voice really shines. The arrangement has a classic Rock feel but never becomes predictable, with Manning adding some tasty guitar flourishes along the way.

‘Mission Bell’, there is a darker, more reflective mood here, with the band building atmosphere rather than simply throwing riffs at the listener. The result is a mature and engaging piece of blues-rock that benefits enormously from its restrained approach.

‘Soul Has No Home’, a wonderfully expressive performance that perfectly captures the album’s bluesy heart. The guitars sound fantastic, the vocal is packed with emotion and the whole thing possesses an almost spiritual quality. This is The Exiles at their most soulful.

‘I’m The One’, the volume gets turned back up with a confident, swaggering rocker. Crunchy guitars and a driving rhythm give this one plenty of momentum, while Rafferty delivers the goods with another commanding performance. Classic Hard Rock done properly.

‘High Old Times’, a wonderfully relaxed number with an infectious groove and plenty of old-school charm. It feels like the soundtrack to a late-night Rock 'N' Roll session, complete with warm guitars and that unmistakable blues influence.

‘Carry You Home’ is a suitably emotional way to bring the album to a close. Reflective without becoming overly sentimental, it allows the band to finish on a soulful and memorable note. The vocals are particularly effective, while the guitars provide a beautiful sense of resolution. A fitting finale to a very special album.

Turning Time is a glorious blast from the past that proves great Rock music never really goes out of fashion. The Exiles combine bluesy grit, classic Hard Rock swagger, soulful vocals and some seriously tasty guitar work to deliver an album that feels authentic from beginning to end. It may have taken thirty years to finally get the recognition it deserves, but this forgotten gem has aged remarkably well. Raw, melodic, groove-laden and packed with attitude, Turning Time is exactly the sort of album that demands to be played loud, preferably with the neighbours safely out of earshot. If blues-based Hard Rock is your thing, you really should be giving The Exiles a listen. A criminally overlooked album finally gets its moment in the spotlight and what a moment it is!

7/10

Essential Track – ‘Rainmaker’

Review By Woody