AGGREGATION (The) - Mind Odyssey, 1967 (psych-jazz-rock, Los Angeles, CA., USA) (LHI 12008)

One of the greatest US psych records with a dreamy, surreal quality of the super rare lone psychedelic LP from the band 'Aggregation'. The music is sophisticated and controlled, replacing the teenage mantra that had charged rock'n'roll with a wider palette drawing on cool jazz, movie soundtracks, light classical music and easy listening.

This group of talented and diverse musicians played Disneyland in the late '60s and was picked up for this one excellent Concept album by Lee Hazlewood on his LHI label in 1968. Unusual and atmospheric early art-rock/psych item based on an acid trip amusement park concept from classically trained band who held a residency at Disneyland ! This LP could be seen as a precursor to those extraordinary 1970s private press artefacts, and reveals its classiness and coherence over time. Worth investigating !

Personnel :

LeWayne Braun - guitar, vocals
Dale Burt - organ, piano, vocals
Bayard Gregory - drums, timpani, bongos, tambourine, vocals
Richard Jones - rhythm guitar, vocals
Leo Potts - flute, clarinet, saxophone, recorder, kazoo, vocal
Bill Sissoev - bass, trombone, vocals

Lemoyne Taylor - flute, clarinet, saxophone, recorder, slide whistle, vocals

Tracklisting :
A1. The Lady at the Gate   4:45
A2. Looking for the Tour Guide   2:13
A3. The Long Windy Tunnel   6:15
A4. Flying Free   3:05
A5. White Light   2:00
B1. In the Garden   3:05
B2. Reflections   2:55
B3. The City of Toys and Games   3:23
B4. Change   2:50
B5. Life's Light   6:00

LINK  (no pass)

ADVANCEMENT (The) - s/t, 1969 (psych-jazz-rock fusion, Los Angeles, CA, USA) (Philips PHS 600-328)

After collaborating with Gabor Szabo on such superb efforts as More Sorcery and Dreams, bassist Louis Kabok and drummer Hal Gordon further embraced jazz-rock fusion under the Advancement aegis, issuing their sole LP in 1969. The opening "Juliet" establishes a dark, moody atmosphere immediately bolstered by the intriguing "Painful Struggle," with its eerie vibes and Kabok's extended bass bridge. "Moorish Mode" is Gordon's star turn, highlighted by an impressively restrained drum break. But it's the most overtly rock-influenced cuts that make Advancement worth seeking out, in particular "Fall Out," an impressively heady mixture of jazz, hard rock and psychedelia.

A sixties Hollywood outfit whose album is one of those strange late sixties barrier-breaking experimental efforts trying to fuse different musical genres. Orient Express, Autosalvage and John Berberian are other similar projects which spring to mind. This particular one is an attempt to fuse jazz with folk, rock and acid. Interesting but its success is debatable. Lynn Blessing also released a solo album in 1969, Sunset Painter and Lou Kabok went on to play with Gabor Szabo.

Personnel :

Colin Bailey - drums, percussion
Lynn Blessing - vibes, harmonica, organ
John De Rose - classical guitar
Hal Gordon - conga, drums, percussion
A.A. Johnson - guitar
Lou Kabok - bass
Richard Thompson - organ, harpsichord

Tracklisting :

01 - Juliet
02 - Painful Struggle
03 - Stone Folk
04 - Grass Mass
05 - Sunflower
06 - She
07 - Moorish Mode
08 - Hobo Express
09 - Child At Play
10 - Fall Out

LINK (no pass)