BRAVE NEW WORLD – Impressions On Reading Aldous Huxley (LP-1972)

Label: Vertigo – 6360 606

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album / Country: Germany / Released: 1972

Style: Krautrock, Experimental, Free Improvisation, Prog Rock

Recorded in Studio Maschen on May 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 7th, 14th and June 9th, 11th.

Mixed on June 11th,24th and 26th.

Engineer [Sound Engineer] – Thomas Kukuck

Producer – John O'Brien-Docker

Published By – Team Musikverlag

Lacquer Cut At – Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft Pressing Plant

Pressed By – Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft Pressing Plant

Released in a laminated fold-out cover on a ''swirl'' Vertigo label.

Matrix / Runout (Side A runout, stamped): 10 AA6360606 1Y 320 B 1

Matrix / Runout (Side B runout, stamped): 10 AA6360606 2Y 320 B 1 1

A1 - Prologue  (J. O'Brien-Docker, R. Firchow) .......................................................... 1:01

A2 - Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Epsilon...Ford  (J. O'Brien-Docker) ....................... 7:38

A3 - Lenina  (H. Geller, J. O'Brien-Docker) ................................................................ 4:21

A4 - Soma  (H. Geller, J. O'Brien-Docker) .................................................................. 5:18

A5 - Malpais Corn Dance  (J. O'Brien-Docker) ........................................................... 3:24

B1 - The End  (J. O'Brien-Docker, R. Firchow) ......................................................... 17:42

B2 - Epilogue  (J. O'Brien-Docker, R. Firchow) .......................................................... 1:28

Arranged By – Herb Geller (track: A3), John O'Brien-Docker (tracks: A1, A2, A4 to B2)

Personnel:

John O'Brien-Docker  –  acoustic & electric guitars, organ, percussion, wind chimes, vocals

Herb Geller  –  flutes [C / bass], alto flute, cor Anglais, alto/soprano/tenor saxes, organ

Reinhart Firchow  –  recorders, flutes [bamboo, lotus, reed], ocarina , stylophone, percussion

Lucas Lindholm   –  bass, double bass [bass fiddle], organ, piano

Dicky Tarrach  –  drums, percussion

+

Esther Daniels (voice [spoken] on A3)

Reissued on vinyl on Austria Record Finder ‎– ARF 099 (Unofficial Release, 2009. / Limited to 500 copies), but ______Out Of Stock__

A short-lived Hamburg based project, featuring Irishman John O'Brien-Docker (formerly of City Preachers and Marcel) and jazzer Herb Geller, along with a few top local rock musicians. An unlikely "supergroup", and remarkably the music they created was unprecedented and original. On their LP, Brave New World blended styles, in such an unlikely manner, hinting at the music later created by the likes of Art Zoyd or Univers Zero. Virtually instrumental, blending medieval musics, electronics, jazz and rock in a dazzlingly complex fusion, a big step beyond early Between, with the Krautrock feel of Annexus Quam, Achim Reichel, Tomorrow's Gift, et al.

Exceptional psych-electronic rock experimentations by an one obscure 70's band from Germany. This album is said to be inspired by Aldous Huxley's famous, enchanting writings & mystical philosophy. It's clear that the entirety of the album is assured by a vast arsenal of weird incantations and deep hallucinogenic effects. The content is very colourful, luminous, eclectic and perfectly orchestrated. Nothing is linear or boring and the psych grooves work like magic. It's not easy to understand in one listening the complexity of this release. In some aspects it tends to be near to kraut-experimentations but without the sinister vibe, the ambiences provided are rather optimistic and enthusiastic. The prologue is based on dreamy like flute lines and tranced out organic drones. "Alpha Beta Gamma" is an epic, progressive spacey rock composition dominated by soft, floating sounding improvisations. "Lenina" is an enigmatic, fragile, celestial song for the flute, moody bass lines, a beautiful air. "Soma" is a really stoned, kraut, outer space experience, featuring a lot of intergalactic electronic sounds and a massive rocking energy! "The end" is the central piece here, a majestic "cosmic" rock essay with lot of guitars, sax, dreamy flutes and weird effects. Epilogue is a recitation. A mesmeric, highly inspired psychedelic album. A great classic, I dare say a masterpiece!

(Review by philippe / progarchives.com)

If you find it, buy this album!