ORION AWAKES

The origins of this band and album are somewhat obscure. It was originally released on the small label 'Pyramid Records' that reportedly only pressed a couple of hundred issues of this release, meant for selling them at art galleries and exhibitions. When the album was re-issued on CD in the 90s, many specialists contested if this was genuine 70s material at all, as no one had seen an original vynil copy.

The CD booklet of the 2010 reissue addresses this issue and obviously arguments in favor of the authenticity, but judging by my own ears, the album can hardly be from 1973. The production is too spacious, with a drum sound that is too big and guitar effects (wah-wah, flange, reverb, delay) that sound too clear and professional to be of such ancient origins. Later in the 70's could be possible, but early 90's sounds most probable to me. After all, this album pretty much sounds like Loop's Fade Out from 1989.

Anyways, this is all interesting discussion material for Kraut aficionados, but what about the album itself? When it concerns the quality of this material, you can rest assured, this sounds exactly like your beloved vintage instrumental trip-kraut, with entrancing heavy riffs and layers of fuzzy guitars, effects and organ. It's a perfect album if you like bands such as Agitation Free, Gila and Guru Guru on acid. Each of the 5 tracks offers a distinctly different psych jam, sometimes funky, droning, heavy or more upbeat, but always catchy and groovy.

An excellent soundtrack for your acid parties and recommend title to fans of space-rock and trippy Kraut jams. 3.5 stars.