Record Reviews

DAEVID ALLEN ~ GOOD MORNING ESOTERIC 2004 (Barcode: 5013929710429) ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene Recorded: 1975 Released: 2007 Following his departure from GongFind albums by this artist, the legendary British ensemble he formed and led for many years, singer / guitarist / songwriter Daevid AllenFind albums by this artist started his solo career with the release of this album. It was recorded at his home studio in Mallorca, accompanied by the Spanish group EuterpeFind albums by this artist and his faithful companion Gilli SmythFind albums by this artist. This album sets the direction for Allen´s future work, which would be a unique cross-genre amalgam of Psychedelia, Ambient, Jazz and everything else, which is always uniquely Daevid Allen. A great trip down the memory lane!

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DAEVID ALLEN ~ NOW IS THE HAPPIEST TIME OF YOUR LIFE ESOTERIC 2125 (Barcode: 5013929722521) ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene Recorded: 1977 Released: 2009 Following his departure from GongFind albums by this artist, the legendary British ensemble he formed and led for many years, singer / guitarist / songwriter Daevid AllenFind albums by this artist started his solo career with the release of the "Good MorningFind albums with this title" album, soon to be followed by this, his 2nd solo recording. It was also recorded at his home studio in Mallorca, accompanied by the Spanish group EuterpeFind albums by this artist and his faithful companion Gilli SmythFind albums by this artist. This and its predecessor set the direction for Allen´s future work, which would be a unique cross-genre amalgam of Psychedelia, Ambient, Jazz and everything else, which is always uniquely Daevid Allen. A great trip down the memory lane!

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

GONG ~ IN THE 70`S VOICEPRINT 406 (Barcode: 604388325726) ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene Recorded: 1973 - 1975 Released: 2006 New treasures from the GongFind albums by this artist archives! Previously unreleased live and rehearsal recordings of this great band are presented here in more than decent sound quality, which makes this a true bliss for the numerous fans of the band (myself included). The exact dates of the recordings are sketchy at best, but Daevid AllenFind albums by this artist’s liner notes shed some light on the contents: The majority of the tracks come from the jazzy version of the band with Steve HillageFind albums by this artist on guitar, Didier MalherbeFind albums by this artist on sax and Pierre MoerlenFind albums by this artist on drums. This almost fusion sounding band (recorded shortly before Hillage’s debut solo album Fish RisingFind albums with this title was made) really cooks! The rest of the tracks present the band around the time of Camembert ElectriqueFind albums with this title (with the great Pip PyleFind albums by this artist on drums) and around the time of Angel`s EggFind albums by this artist. All the music is of course quite brilliant and so uniquely Gong that I can hardly imagine that anybody who loves this band would like to miss this. Essential for all eggheads!

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GONG ~ SHAMAL VIRGIN 2046 (Barcode: 077778724322) ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene Recorded: 1975 Released: 1989 This 1975 albums marks the transitional period of GongFind albums by this artist, after Daevid AllenFind albums by this artist left the band, towards the second incarnation of Gong led by Pierre MoerlenFind albums by this artist, which was much more jazz oriented then the original psychedelic / experimental direction. Excellent playing by all members, with Didier Malherbe on reeds and Steve HillageFind albums by this artist on guitar (on 2 tracks only).

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SOFT MACHINE ~ MIDDLE EARTH MASTERS CUNEIFORM 235 (Barcode: 045775023526) ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene Recorded: 1967 - 1968 Released: 2006 Although the last decade witnessed an abundance of live Soft MachineFind albums by this artist releases, it is always welcome to discover yet another piece of the mysterious musical phenomenon that surrounded this band. Soon after the band was formed in 1966 and even before the first album was recorded they lost Daevid AllenFind albums by this artist and the remaining trio (Kevin AyersFind albums by this artist, Mike RatledgeFind albums by this artist and Robert WyattFind albums by this artist) carried on with their unique psychedelic sound and vision. The music contained on this album presents the band live at the legendary London’s Middle Earth club (the successor of the no less legendary UFO club). Two sessions, one from late 1967 and the other from early 1968, recorded by the experimental sound technician Bob WoolfordFind albums by this artist, remained completely forgotten for almost 40 years, to be recently unearthed by (or rather for) the owner of CuneiformFind albums on this label Records, who is a restless SM aficionado. Considering the sound quality of the original recording, some painstaking efforts have been made to restore this music to an audible quality and maintain the atmosphere of the original setting. The result is quite impressive and although the vocal parts are badly under-recorded the entire set has its magic, especially the sound of fuzz organ being pounded mercilessly during the extended instrumental improvisations. For the many SM fans, this is a unique document of the early days and a key factor in understanding the band’s development.

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SOFT MACHINE ~ THIRTEEN DYAD 034 (Barcode: 5052442030270) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2025 Released: 2026 This is the 13st studio album by the legendary British group Soft MachineFind albums by this artist and the first album by the current lineup, which includes guitarist John EtheridgeFind albums by this artist, saxophonist / keyboardist Theo TravisFind albums by this artist, bassist Fred Thelonious BakerFind albums by this artist and Israeli (resident in UK) drummer Asaf SirkisFind albums by this artist. Three guests appear on selected tracks, including guitarist Daevid AllenFind albums by this artist, who was a member of the first incarnation of the group. The album presents thirteen tracks, six composed by Travis, three by Sirkis, two by Etheridge, one by Baker and finally one co-composed by all members of the group. The music is based on highly melodic themes, which offer an ideal environment to feature extended soloing by Etheridge and Travis, superbly supported by rhythm section. Stylistically the music returns to the Progressive Rock era, but the instrumental performances are still Jazz oriented, creating an ideal amalgam or stylistic Fusion, well balanced and superbly executed. It is truly remarkable that a group founded in 1966, i.e. sixty years ago, still exists and creates new, meaningful and highly aesthetic music today, which makes them an outstanding example of continuity and Artistic longevity. Hats off! Overall, this is a beautiful album, fully “in tune” with the six decades long tradition of this remarkable group, which will not disappoint the many old and new fans. Hopefully they can continue to make new music in the years to come with the same zest and inspiration!

Updated: 02/05/2026Posted: 02/05/2026

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