SPACE HYMNS

"...the rocket ship shape of churches probably dates back to Moses' visit to speak to God on mountain and what he saw there ..."

Ramases' debut is certainly an interesting record, at least for the names of the musicians involved: the whole band's members of 10cc and the wife of Ramases herself, Sel, on singing. Progressive folk is not a completely suitable word to define this music which appears to me a good folk-rock with strong spirituals themes as in "Jesus", acoustic guitar leading the way and with only a sparse use of other acoustic instruments as flute. The unespected and pleasant sound of moog synthesizer gives a more deep and proggy atmosphere. Sitar on "Molecular Delusions" gives it an oriental feel helped also by arabian- like recitative vocals.

The album alternates mainstream rock or folk-rock tracks as the strong opener "Life Child" (good electric guitar) and more experimental tunes as the the ethereal (and "trippy") closer "Journey to the Inside", obviously influenced by the hippy movement of the sixties.

All in all a good discovery for me and an interesting opened window to this obscure english artist. The Repuk 1030 remastrered cd features also four bonus tracks that add no original stuff, despite of the folky "Muddy Water".