TIME CIRCLE (1968-1972)

I'm glad it was this 2-CD compilation that introduced me to this classic psych band. If it had been for example 12 Dreams of Dr Sardonicus (which is perhaps their most famous album for reasons I don't quite see), I probably even wouldn't have given another listening. Now, when I listened to the first disc of Time Circle (containing the - nearly complete? - albums Spirit and Family That Plays Together, '67 and '68, with some outtakes unreleased before, and three tracks from the film Model Shop, 1969), I was happily surprised how much I liked it immediately. Jazzy, many-sided psychedelic art rock not very hard to get into!

But then the second disc was a disappointment. The albums Clear (1969) and the aforementioned Sardonicus (1970) are less jazzy and more rocking. The song writing emphasizes too much on the guitarist Randy California, whereas on the earlier albums the keyboard player John Locke (clearly the most jazz-oriented man in the group) and singer- percussionist Jay Ferguson were more active. Yes, the epitome psychedelia fits maybe even better to the later albums, but it's just less up to my taste, and the songs remind much more each other than before. Especially I miss Locke's airy instrumentals.

SPIRIT is known for blending many musical genres from blues, jazz, even classical music, into psychedelic rock. No doubt these four albums represent their best era, and so this compilation is very recommendable set. I only wonder what tracks actually date from 1971 or 1972. Maybe it could have rather been "1968-1970".