PARADISE NOW

This band was one of the earliest space/psychedelic/progressive rock bands and certainly the first Dutch prog-band. Their very psychedelic debut from '68 is a forgotten starting point of the genre. Whilst Group 1850 must have been a provocative and mind-blowing experience at it's time of release, the band never became very famous. The vinyls of the band are very expensive these days and I felt lucky to get this early vinyl reprint (with the alternative blue cover with names).

Paradise Now is a spacey and psychedelic record with use of symphonic keyboards/organs, Gilmore & Hendrix influenced guitars, stoned amateur vocals and an underground-feel rhythm section. The result is a rare record sounding like a... well an obscure and rare record. There are mostly symphonic compositions on side one with mainly the spacey opener as a highlight, whilst the second side is more concentrated on improvisation. In between there is a little bit of song-writing and a psychedelic folk-track as opener for side two. The ending track Purple Sky has a strong blues-rock influenced style. Perhaps early Floyd can be named a main influence for the band, but that's speculation.

This is the kind of record that will make collectors feel very satisfied. It's hard to find, it has a distinctive obscure sound and it really is a very impressive record for the year 1969. When it comes to great compositions or professional playing the record fails to be very impressive, but it's atmospheric and positively naive throughout and most of the guitar-solo's of Daniël van Bergen sound great.

Conclusion. Obscure (sounding) psychedelic/space record with an emphasis on synth/organ and electric guitars. For certain the first progressive rock band to come with a record from Holland. A big three and a halve stars for this one, but mainly recommended to fans of obscure prog, early prog and spacey prog.

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