THE PEKIN TAPES

This is the early stuff that earned them their contract, and allowed them to re-record some of it along with new stuff in order to create the fantastic "Pampered Menial".

"Time", "Stomp Water Magic", "It's All For You", "Dreams, and "Clipper Ship" are all very interesting previously unreleased material, while by far the best moment of the album is "Preludin & Felacio In E Minor", which is the most prog thing they ever recorded. It's actually the "full" version of "Preludin" form "Pampered Menial", 6 minutes longer and full of prog greatness.

The album's sound is not perfect, as the Master Tapes were in a very bad condition and it took a great effort to restore them. Non the less, this doesn't make it less magical; I'd dare to say that it adds to the cult status these recordings bare, enhancing the impression that you enter a time-machine by listening to them.

4 stars, and a must for every Pavlov's Dog fan and/or prog explorer.