MERCATOR PROJECTED

A very underestimated UK early progressive band,EAST OF EDEN were formed in 1967 in Bristol by musicians Dave Arbus,Geoff Nicholson and Ron Caines,who had known each other from some past underground groups.The original line-up featured also Steve York on basses and Dave Dufont on drums/percussions.Arbus, after seeing some performances of Jean-Luc Ponty,decided to use the violin as a dominant instrument in the band's sound.In 1968 the band moves to London and signs with Deram Label (responsible for the early prog releases of Decca Records).The next year EAST OF EDEN debuted with ''Mercator projected''.

How this album is so unknown is much of a question.EAST OF EDEN blended Classic Rock with jazz solos,psychedelic movements,Classical hints and bluesy riffs to create one of the most rich-sounding albums of the time.In ''Mercator projected'' the fuzzy guitars of Nicholson and the complicated bass work of York are battling with the obscure violins,the harmonica solos,the jazzy saxes and the pastoral flutes of the Arbus/Caines duo.The psych vocals,handled mostly by Nicholson,are great as well,but the strong ace of the band are the fantastic dark,improvisational instrumental passages and the nice interplays of the musicians.No keyboard attacks or organ orgasms in here,this is an obscure yet magnificent blend of different styles and instruments,always in a rock basis.EAST OF EDEN remained a cult act among UK Prog fans,but their debut should be heard by many more people than this closed circle.Highly recommended!