4.0 out of 5 stars
Heavy space rock with the added bonus of the Mellotron, October 24, 2008
This 1971 album by English (yet based in Germany) psychedelic/space rock outfit Nektar is a good early example of expanding the boundaries of rock in a "progressive" way, yet while remaining very psychedelic. In this regard, I can hear various influences ranging from the instrumental space rock excursions of late 1960s Pink Floyd to the music of (the late) George Harrison. In fact, the central theme from the Journey to the Centre of the Eye suite seems to be based loosely upon George's tune "While my Guitar Gently Weeps" (The Beatles [a.k.a., "White" album], 1968).
The players on the album comprise the classic Nektar lineup: Roye Albrighton (electric and acoustic guitars, vocals); Allan "Taff" Freeman (Mellotron, pianos, Hammond organ, vocals); Ron Howden (drums and percussion); and Derek "Mo" Moore (Mellotron, bass guitar, vocals). These guys are very energetic players and work pretty well together as an ensemble. It is worth noting that both Mick Brockett (liquid lights) and Keith Walters (static slides) are also mentioned in the lineup credits. I may be way off here, but I believe that "liquid lights" may refer to multi-colored oil slides, which slowly morphed throughout the stage performance. Although of interest solely from a historical perspective, this shows just how important the stage presentation was - that is, the music and the visual effects were presented as inseparable from one another. Indeed, both were meant to approximate an "acid (LSD) trip".
Musically, Nektar seems to be covering territory similar to German space rock outfit Eloy (particularly their "Inside" album [1973]), albeit with a much greater emphasis on the use of the Mellotron (with string setting). The tracks on the album are arranged as a suite, with the bittersweet, "while my guitar gently weeps" theme restated at key points. In large part, the suite alternates (1) a heavy ostinato played on a highly distorted electric guitar (usually in unison with either the bass or organ), energetic Hammond organ playing, and a thunderous rhythm section pounding away, with (2) quieter, spacey passages that feature some very nice Mellotron playing. Although largely instrumental, scattered throughout the suite are electronically altered vocals (with some nice vocal harmonies here and there), along with tape effects and other electronic manipulation.
This remastered album by Dream/Nebula (2004) is pretty nice. The liner notes are informative and boast loads of photos, although the sound quality of the album is just the tiniest bit muddy. Although the sound quality issue might have gone away if I had made use of the SACD 5.1 layers (this is a hybrid SACD), the source tapes are over 30 years old so who knows if this would prove to be the case. The two bonus tracks are OK, although they do not add much.
All in all, this is a fine album of heavy space rock with the added bonus of loads of Mellotron. Although I did find the distorted electric guitar to be overwhelming at times (I am a real stick in the mud), it is nicely tempered by the quieter passages. This album is recommended along with a few similar albums by German space rock bands Eloy (Inside, 1973) and Jane (Together, 1972). Of these albums, Journey to the Centre of the Eye is my favorite.
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