RADIO GNOME INVISIBLE PART 1 - FLYING TEAPOT

Gong's 1971 record 'Camembert Electrique' left me a bit un-impressed, mostly because of its chaotic and overly sloppy performances. I might as far as saying I actually prefer the psychedelic pop debut album of the band. By 1973 the band had become so much more professional, whilst keeping up its wildly creative vision implementing spacerock, pyschedelic rock, some comedy, jazz-rock, brass and lore-creating songwriting. The addition of Steve Hillage on guitar (whom I read still was honored to join Gong after recording 'Space Shanty') completed the line-up with masterful musicians on all instruments. 'Flying Teapot' sound as if its too short for Gong's musical aspirations and it would be hard to pin-point from what musical basis the band operates; but all songs are distinctly hippy trippy psychedelic without becoming overly naive towards the real world. In stead, Gong creates its own fantasy world 'Planet Gong' to experiment in - which in turn became the basis for the story of the 'Radio Gnome Trilogy'. Perhaps this is why the music has aged so well. The song-writing of the optimistic and lively performer Deavid Allen goes all over the place, yet the music is grounded in some fine melodies and instrumental explorations. The jazz-rock space section of 'Flying Teapot' would form a stepping stone for the style the band would further develop just a year later on the third installment 'You'. Gong's trilogy is corner-stone progressive rock and this first part is perhaps the most charming. Guarantied to raise a smile, every time.