How Many Clouds Can You See? a strange mixture of everything from free improvisation to calypso, his second date, 1970's "How Many Clouds Can You See?", is a much more focused affair. Surman clearly references one of his roots, John Coltrane, albeit on an instrument that the legendary saxophonist never played. All compositions by John Surman except where noted. How Many Clouds Can You See? How Many Clouds Can You See? is the second album by English saxophonist John Surman featuring Harry Beckett, Alan Skidmore, Barre Phillips and Tony Oxley recorded in 1970 and released on the Deram label. Allmusic awards the album 4 and a
For We Are Many like a throwback to the NWOBHM at times evoking hints of Iron Maiden and Judas Priest." They also stated that the album had a good mix of "heaviness and harmony". TheNewReview.net gave the album 4.5 out of 5 saying, "The vocals and guitars are layered exactly as they should be to either draw attention to Labonte or Herbert and Martin depending on the situation while keeping the drums and bass right where they need to be to compliment the guitarists and Labonte’s excellent (for the most part) vocal work." For We Are Many For We Are Many (sometimes written as