JOURNEY TO THE CENTRE OF THE EYE

Real heady stuff from 1971, this extraordinary slab of acid-drenched psychedelia introduced the world to the sounds of British outfit Nektar. Continually mistaken for a German group due to their success in the land of krautrock, Nektar are one those curious groups who boast a large-and-loyal fanbase almost everywhere apart from their own homeland. Why you say? Well, it might have something to do with the fact that like The Beatles and many other British acts before them Nektar decided to hone their craft on the German club circuit, before the inevitable local chart success was followed by recognition throughout both mainland Europe and, latterly, the USA. However, whilst their later material embraced a much more progressive aesthetic, their first two albums mined a distinctly cosmic style that embraced strange sound effects, trippy sonic soundscapes and strange, sci-fi style concept themes that featured a distinctly teutonic streak. Not unlike Ash Ra Tempel bonded with Uriah Heep, 1971's 'Journey To The Centre Of The Eye' tells the mind-frying tale of astronauts experiencing strange happenings during some outer space quest to unknown alien galaxies and beyond. Its all rather bizarre, and don't be surprised if you can actually sniff the marijuana fumes eminating from the lysergic tones of Roye Albrighton's cosmic guitar licks, as yes, its that kind of album. However, it has to be said that 'Journey To The Centre Of The Eye' also features some incredible moments amongst all the not-so-subtle drug references and science-fiction exploits, the album chopped up into thirteen sections that includes the roaring proto-psychedelic metal of the fearsome 'Astronaut's Nightmare' and the searing guitar licks and tribal percussion assaults of the suitably-titled 'Burn Out My Eyes'. Eventually, the album closes on a genuinely grandiose note, as screeching riffs, doom-mongering keyboards and sizzling sound effects erupt in a final blast of cosmic madness on 'Death Of The Mind', and the Journey is finally complete. Never before have the words 'one of a kind experience' been so apt. STEFAN TURNER, STOKE NEWINGTON, 2012