In 1967 Michael Brown (b. Michael Lookofsky, New York, USA) parted company from the Left Banke, hitmakers with the original ‘Walk Away Renee’. He then ‘discovered’ Montage - Bob Steyarr (vocals), Mike Smyth (lead guitar/vocals), Lance Cornelius (bass/vocals) and Vance Chapman (drums/vocals) - secured their recording contract and proceeded to arrange, produce and play keyboards on the group’s only album. As Brown composed every selection, often in partnership with Bert Somner, the results were similar to his ‘baroque-styled’ work with Left Banke and it even features a version of their classic, ‘Desiree’. Indeed Montage contains some of Brown’s best work, notably, ‘I Shall Call Her Mary’ and ‘Grand Pianist’. However, he split from Montage soon after the album was issued and the group disintegrated. Brown subsequently formed the equally worthwhile Stories.