OCEANS OF BLISS: AN INTRODUCTION TO QUINTESSENCE

This might, indeed, be an introduction to Quintessence, but they were much, much better than represented here. And it only covers the first 3 LP's, on the Island label. Where is "Vishnu Narain" or "Wonders of the Universe" (both off "Self") or "Brahman" or the "live" version of "Jesus, Buddha etc" or "Pearl and Bird"? As a staunch fan, I'm not impressed by this. Heaven knows, the band's vinyl output was already patchy enough, but this mismatched compilation sells them even further short. "Don't buy" is my recommendation. Shiva Jones is releasing a new album under the band's name next week. That is certain to generate a degree of renewed interest. Wait to see if a better compilation appears as a consequence.

Notting Hill Gate. Was the A side of the band's single. Always was hugely overrated Move Into The Light. Was the B side of the single, didn't appear on any of the LP's and duly has a certain novelty value...but nothing more. Giants. Excellent opening track off the first LP Prisms. Flute. Echo. More of the same. Lost interest after half a minute. Twilight Zone. Is where this belongs. For all eternity. Dive Deep. An uninspired dirge, despite being title track off third LP. St. Pancras. Yes, this was "live". This is good. Manco Capac. Magnificent. Band operating as a cohesive unit Dance For The One. Shiva Jones - you are a God. What a voice! Midnight Mode. Why the five minutes of drone to finish it off? Run out of songs for the first LP, I shouldn't wonder High On Mount Kailash/Burning Bush/Shiva's Chant. Not a bad finisher. I suppose there had to be a chant to be representative. But they do tend to go on. And on. And on....