RADIO GNOME INVISIBLE PART 1 - FLYING TEAPOT

This is where the GONG spaceship started to really hit new heights. It certainly didn't hurt that Steve Hillage,Tim Blake and former MAGMA bass player Francis Moze had just joined the band. This is part one of the trilogy and while it's my least favourite of the three it holds a special place with me.

"Radio Gnome Invisible" opens with these strange vocal expressions then we do get vocals before a minute then the tempo picks up briefly as contrasts continue. I'm really reminded of Syd Barrett era FLOYD when it changes 3 1/2 minutes in. Sax comes in late. "Flying Teapot" is a great track. It's spacey to start then a beat comes in around 2 1/2 minutes and vocals follow. Catchy stuff. Vocals stop 4 minutes in as the sax,keys and more join the beat. Vocals are back before 6 minutes. Love the flute and atmosphere as the vocals continue. The music stops 9 1/2 minutes in as we get strange vocals reminding me of the In-laws for some reason. Percussion comes in to end it.

"The Pot Head Pixies" is a psych / pop tune that really reminds me of Syd Barrett. "The Octave Doctors And The Crystal Machine" is a short spacey piece. "Zero The Hero And The Witch's Spell" is another great track. Gentle sounds are heard until the vocal kick in. Flute continues then percussion and vocal melodies lead for a while. Sax and guitar come in. Vocals are back around 4 minutes and it's spacey a minute later. Sax and a beat 6 1/2 minutes in and we get an excellent sound when it starts to build. "Witch's Song / I Am Your Pussy" is catchy to start as female vocals join in. Some cackling going on here as drums and sax continue. Male vocals after 2 minutes.

A low 4 stars.