Originals [Import, Original recording remastered]

Andromeda | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 12, 2009)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import, Original recording remastered
• Label: ANGEL AIR
• ASIN: B000AO9OG2
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #412,775 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Andromeda - 'Originals' (Angel Air), May 20, 2006

By 

Mike Reed (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Originals (Audio CD)

Another one of John Du Cann's pre-Atomic Rooster's releases. Maybe not as outstanding as their 'Definitive Collection' 2-CD (see my review), but still pretty potent. 'Originals' is a compilation of ten(10)tracks that Andromeda had recorded for their first lp in the summer of 1968. Apparenty, the record label had the band re-record the album because the original mixes were simply 'too heavy'. These cuts are THOSE recordings. Not a whole lot different sounding from the previously released versions of these tunes, like "Lonely Streets", "And Now The Sun Shines", the rocking "Return To Sanity" and "Too Old", but a little bit, enough to be noticed. Only track here I didn't recognize right off was "I Can Stop The Sun". Good British psych. A should-have.

5.0 out of 5 stars Truely Original, October 17, 2011

By 

Aron D. Rush "missouri reb" (Cross Timbers, Mo usa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Originals (Audio CD)

Andromeda plays a mix of heavy and melodic music, somewhat psychedelic, leaning towards progressive, and while sounding similar at times to their peers, they manage to sound unique and creative. I'd go so far as to say they are the best obscure 60's band I've heard and a match for their better known peers. As great as Zeppelin's debut is, their songs were for the most part reworkings of other people's material. Andromeda's material is a glimpse into the musical genius of one John (Du)Cann who'd played with heavy mod rockers The Attack, played on a suprisingly good low budget exploitation record called Five Day Week Straw People, and would go on to Atomic Rooster, Bullet/Hard Stuff, solo material etc., all of which are worth seeking out.

I first discovered this band a few years back on a used, low budget disc called Return To Sanity. I fell in love with this CD, in particular the title cut, and soon found myself searching for more music from Andromeda. I bought a two disc set called See Into The Stars on the Saraja label, then Anthology 1966-1969 on Kissing Spell. I assumed I was done. After all, Andromeda only released one official album while together. Then came these excellent Angel Air releases. The 2 CD Definitive Collection is the place anyone new to this group should start. It's the most Andromeda for your money, contains their album as released by RCA in '69 and a whole lot of enticing extras. Next came a disc of the earliest demos called Beginnings 1967-68, then last of all the disc we're discussing now, Originals.

Originals consists of the original acetates of the original version of the album that has become such an obsession for me, and is my favorite recordings of these songs. I listed all the other release I've purchased to make the point that I'm intimately aquainted with this band's music and know what I like. According to DuCann in the liner notes, this is his original mixes and how he wanted the album to sound. It has more of a raw, heaviness to my ears, and this is the Andromeda disc I play most.

This music flat out rocks. It can also be quite subtle, mellow and dreamy. There is some resemblance to bands like Cream, Zeppelin, Jeff Beck and Taste, and should appeal to fans of those bands, but I must again stress that this isn't just another heavy blues band. The demos on Beginnings make it absolutely clear that the seeds of these songs predate solo Beck, Zep and Taste. This is a musical journey into other realms that still captures my imagination every time I play it. The lyrics are intelligent and thoughtful with only minor resemblance to the hippie fare of most of their contemporaries. DuCann is a fantastic guitarist and a really good vocalist. The rhythm section holds their own quite well, though this is really DuCann's album. Drummer Ian McLane disappeared into obscurity, but bassist Mick Hawksworth went on to Fuzzy Duck. Again let me stress that this band can rock!

I've put off reviewing any of my Andromeda CDs forever, as I feel totally inadequate when it comes to describing this brilliant music. I know people are always saying things like this, but this is the best 60's album you never heard. I can't begin to shower enough praise on this brilliant music and band. Collectors of late 60's and early 70's heavy psych and prog, get Andromeda! You won't regret it.