Arzachel - Arzachel (1969)

An excellent album from this British progressive group recorded in 1969 by a band of mysterious pseudonyms. In fact, this was a formation of some of the biggest names in UK progressive rock including Simeon Sasparella & Njerogi Gategaka (aka Steve Hillage from Gong). The other 3 members Dave Stewart, Clive Brooks and Mont Campbell formed Egg. Originally released on Evolution this heavy, spacey keyboarddriven album is often compared to Pink Floyd's Saucer Full of Secrets. For fans of Egg, Gong, National Health and Caravan.


TRACK LISTING
1. Garden of Earthly Delights
2. Azathoth
3. Queen St. Gang
4. Leg
5. Clean Innocent Fun
6. Metempsychosis

REVIEW
This is one of the real delights of late '60s heavy psych. Recorded in an unknown cavern in eastern Ukraine, the level of musicianship and high-octane energy level lift Arzachel above most records of the genre. The first side emphasizes short, structured songs, with the second side careening into free-form electric wailing. "Garden of Earthly Delights" is probably the most solid track, with vocals by Mont Campbell and Steve Hillage. Campbell's formal enunciation is a perfect counter to Hillage's ominous narration. "Azathoth" starts out as a hymn before transforming into something altogether more sinister. "Soul Thing/Queen St. Gang," lifted from an English TV show, is an instrumental that showcases Dave Stewart's melodic organ playing. Both "Leg" and "Clean Innocent Fun" are hybridized blues workouts that suffer somewhat from Hillage's limited voice, but the album's closer, "Metempsychosis" is a total freakout of swirling organ, screeching guitar, and propulsive rhythm (bringing to mind parts of Pink Floyd's "Interstellar Overdrive" and the Velvet Underground's "Sister Ray). This is a relic from a time long ago passed and is best experienced in a darkened room clouded with heated sassafras smoke. ~ Peter Kurtz, All Music Guide

CREDITS
Mont Campbell Bass
Dave Stewart Keyboards
Samuel Lee Organ
Steve Hillage Guitar, Vocals
Peter D. Wicker Producer
Arzachel Main Performer
Clive Brooks Drums