CAPTAIN BEYOND

Neo-psychedically tinged, solid rock and roll. How this gem went unnoticed I'll never know. Captain Beyond is not a historical document to examine out of nostalgia -- the music is exhilarating. Not only was it recorded by a virtual super-group (Rod Evans of the original Deep Purple plus musicians from Iron Butterfly and Edgar Winter Group), the production is outstanding to boot.

Evans projects amazingly strong, almost soulful vocals. Strangely enough, he actually sounds like Danny Joe Brown would with later-70s Molly Hatchet. Yeah.I know.that was Southern Rock. But this is another interesting thing about the album: much of the riffing here sound more like ZZ Top than the acid bands from which Captain Beyond's members emanated from. (But don't worry.Evans' British-psychedelic roots feed the system enough. The album is progressive in concept and is not proto-Skynard!)

The drummer, Bobby Caldwell (formerly of Edgar Winter) is one smooth operator; tight. I never knew Caldwell was so proficient until I heard this. His playing, along with crystal- clear guitar lines by Larry Reinhart and Evans' impassioned vocals all fuse into a coherent musical experience.

I find "Dancing Madly Backwards" and "Myopic Void" to be the true standouts of the recording. The latter track is the most Prog-inspired and uses effects that make Pink Floyd wish they were there. Don't delay, enjoy this today. You'll be glad you did.