ARZACHEL

"Arzachel" is the eponymously titled debut full-length studio album by UK, psychedelic rock act Arzachel. The album was released through the Evolution label in June 1969. Arzachel formed in 1968 under the Uriel monicker, but after guitarist/vocalist Steve Hillage left in mid-1968 to attend university, the three remaining members morphed into Egg. Egg was soon signed to Decca Records, but the original Uriel lineup (including Hillage) was given the opportunity to record an album and they took it. When it came time to release the album, the band opted for a name change to Arzachel. It would be Arzachel´s (Uriel´s) only album release, as Dave Stewart (keyboards), Clive Brooks (drums) and Mont Campbell (bass/vocals) would return to Egg, and Hillage returned to university and subsequently founed Khan (along with Stewart).

The material found on the album was recorded and mixed in one long session. The four tracks on Side A of the original vinyl, are shorter and somewhat arranged tracks, while the two long tracks featured on Side B of the original vinyl version of the album, are both long psychedelic jamming tracks. Keeping in mind the circumstances of the recording sessions, I´m a bit surprised that anything featured on the album even sounds like it´s been arranged, but the shorter tracks are probably songs the band had worked on while they were known as Uriel, while the longer jams are improvised on the spot (although they also feature arranged parts and vocals). Although longer sections of "Arzachel" are instrumental, tracks like "Garden of Earthly Delights", "Azathoth" and "Leg" all feature vocals (as does "Clean Innocent Fun").

The raw live-in-the-studio feeling of the recording brings a lot of intensity and authenticity to the listening experience. The omnipresent organ and blistering blues rock guitar solos paired with the heavy organic playing rhythm section is a real winner. It´s obvious you´re listening to four incredibly skilled musicians let loose. These guys can play, but because they have brought arranged parts to the table as the basis of their compositions, the instrumental parts never outstay their welcome or just become endless psychedelic noodling. Even the 16:38 minutes long "Metempsychosis" features great dynamic playing and understanding of flow and high/low intensity. In other words...there is restraint here and an understanding of composition, which is not always the case on psychedelic jam rock releases. "Arzachel" is generally a heavy and dark release, and Arzachel often brings an ominous mood to the music. So this is not a happy hippie jam rock session release.

It´s not always magic happens if you put four guys together in a recording studio and gives them a day to record an album, but magic sure happened during the recording sessions for "Arzachel". This is overall a high quality debut album from Arzachel and who knows what they could have accomplished had they stayed together. But of course both Egg and Khan are worth investigating too as both artists are closely related to this project. A 4 star (80%) rating is deserved.

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