RECYCLED

This album from 1975 felt to me as if the band was giving more prominent roles to the keyboard than previous albums. Roye and Mo's guitar and chunky bass work are still front and center but the fullness of the background sound seems to have changed. Obviously, I am speaking of the presence of synthesizer legend Larry Fast--a guest whose contributions definitely add another dimension to the Nektar sound. In getting to know this album I remember playing both sides through many times over. The album really felt as if it flowed seemlessly--maybe even moreso than either of the bands previous two masterpieces, A Tab in the Ocean and Remember the Future. For a while I even thought this was their best album. But, as time often does, I've grown a bit bored or tired with Side One while the highlights of Side Two have become super highlights--even in isolation to the rest: the KLAUS SHULZE- and YES-like 8. "São Paulo Sunrise" (3:05) (9/10) (a bleed over from Side One's ending song, "Unendless Imagination?"), 9. "Costa del Sol" (4:04) with its awesome groove, piano play and vocal performances (9/10), the wonderfully composed and sung, 10. "Marvellous Moses" (6:37) (10/10), and the gorgeous 11. "It's all over" (5:11) (10/10) with its amazing and emotional instrumental ending, make up one of those rare things in the music world: a perfect side. Not a prog masterpiece but pretty damned close. 4.5 stars.