TOUCH [AKA: 20-20 SOUND]

This record is not perfect, but close enough. Released a full year before King Cimson's 1st,this seems to be the original blueprint for many symphonic prog records to come. This must have sounded striking in 1968 . Sure, there were the Mothers, Velvets, Pink Floyd and other amazing bands preceding them, but none sounded anything like Touch.There is a real positive sound to this record, as if the musicians were reaching for something higher. Jimi Hendrix loved this record and even rented studio time to listen to it. The keyboard player, Don Gallucci, played on the KIngsmen's "Louie Louie" and later went on to produce the Stooges. This record is a 5 star masterpiece that should be in every prog rock collection. P.S. According to brief but informative review in Mojo, Dan Gallucci now works in real estate.