The Polite Force

The Polite Force was recorded in May 1970 at Morgan Studios in London, produced by Neil Slaven, and held back until February 1971 (two sources date it 1970). Dave Stewart plays organ, piano, tone generator and Mellotron, Mont Campbell bass, vocals, piano or organ on the first part of the long piece and French horn on its second, and Clive Brooks drums. Henry Lowther and Mike Davis play trumpet and Bob Downes and Tony Roberts tenor saxophone on "Contrasong".

Side two is "Long Piece No. 3" in four parts, listed on the LP as one piece of 20:42. AllMusic's Bruce Eder gave it three stars, noting classical influences and an ELP comparison; Classic Rock gave it two, calling it a glorious example of being up your own arse. Campbell later said he didn't like the album.