SELF

Lead by the Australian violinist and flutist Ron Rothfield (a.k.a. 'Raja Ram'), the keyboardist Phil Jones ('Shiva Shankar') and Shambu Babaji on guitar and bass, this North-London band had, as you have guessed, very strong spiritual Indian music influences. Their first two albums, "In Blissful Company" and their eponymous second album had much success riding on the new passion provoked by the Beatles for Indian music. They are filled with Indian sacred chants and psalms, but also great jazz-filled rock tracks. At the top of their career, Quintessence was famous for playing superb Indian-laced psychedelic rock blend with ethnic fusion under gorgeous covers. Some young prog heads will find them obsolete or not prog at all.. By the lyrics (peace, love?), I think the message is eternal and we really need it now. As for the music, this is a mix of different culture and thus it corresponds to the very first definition of prog that is a melting pot. "Self", released in 1972, is their third studio effort. All fans of Iron Butterfly, Sweet Smoke, East of Eden will enjoy this remastered edition and its two bonus tracks.