LUCIFER'S DREAM

Ralf Nowy was a flute and saxophone player who died in 2007. Due to his classical education and proficiency he got jobs as a musical director and production manager already at an early age. And later he had a very successful carreer as a music producer for several popular acts. Obviously impressed and influenced by the creative spirit of the music scene in Germany around the transition from the 60s to the 70s he also began to produce music under his own moniker. 'Lucifer's Dream' was his first effort in 1973 where he gathered a bunch of musicans from the current Munich scene to realize his ideas. The result is an interesting jazz rock/pop/ethno mixture which is off the beaten path here and there.

If you are familiar with the short-lived band 'Vita Nova' you will immediately recognize Sylvester Levay's touch, his style playing piano on the opening Breadhead - this a a dynamic song with changing time signatures. Besides the dominant jazz rock behaviour we have a charming interlude here with acoustic guitar, flute and piano. Dramatic string arrangements are added. An extraordinary track! With respect I have to notice that Ralf Nowy doesn't push himself into the foreground with his instruments. The following title song has much more of a sophisticated jazz pop song. Relaxed - mellow flute and saxophone and some great guitar contributions.

Amon Düül 2 bassist Lothar Meid is surprisingly involved here. Guitarist Paul Vincent, who had some wild times when extensively touring with Missus Beastly around 1970, is responsible for some slight psychedelic moments. But you won't find weird or experimental impressions. This is strictly arranged and orchestrated music. Something's Happened On The Chicken Farm for example could be suitable as a theme song for a television series. This album is a professional production without a doubt, however I can't find anything exciting in the following songs. The oriental flavoured Shiwa's Dance with suitar, tabla and string arrangements is nothing spectacular and seems misplaced. Tschad has a nice drive forced by diverse percussion instruments and flute.

Produced with the new quadraphonic sound 'Lucifer's Dream' is a pleasant album made by prolific musicians, however provided with a minimal prog proportion. As for that it foreshadows Ralf Nowy's career as a pop producer and can only be recommended to universal collectors of the German music history.