ETERNAL WHEEL (BEST OF)

While a 2 disc set could hardly do this band justice in terms of a 'best of' compilation, what is represented here is superb. Properly remastered at Abbey Road Studios, sound quality is the best these tracks have ever sounded. The tracks selected by the band are well chosen. I do wish that disc 2 had been a bit longer in playing time and the inclusion of the video track 'Kick Muck' seems silly since it is on 'Pongmasters Ball'. Still, any Ozric fan will be delighted and this 2 disc set is a must have.

Let me start by saying: This music rocks!! So that there's no confusion there. But, "best of"- albums needs to be judged much harder than "originals", otherwise most "best of"-albums would be five stars, just because the songs are good. This compilation is not very logic, since there is a totally pointless "bonus-cd" with half running time. This annoys me, since there is enough "Ozrics-best-of-material" to fill two full discs, easily. Why a half cd? Despite this, the songs are well picked and that is the most important thing with "best of"-albums. (As usual with Ozric albums the cover is awful, but the visual concept is after all quite consequent over the years)

Ozric tentacles is probably the most amazing appearance in the last twenty years of progressive rock. Totally instrumental, they made a multitude of good songs, each having its own identity, offering unique harmony of sounds, visions and perspectives.

I personally tried to make their best of, but after a couple of attempts I - gave up. At least three or four compact discs are required for what deserves to be found on their proper best. The members of the band issued in 2004. their own version of OT best and surprised me how much we differ considering the best they have done over the years. To involve commercial purposes would be irrational simply because OT is not a commercial band. They are still ready to perform in front of an audience not bigger than a couple of hundreds.

They have songs like Kick Muck, Og-Ha-Be, Dissolution, The Throbbe, O-I, Sploosh - the band supports them in concerts, they are good, but not essential. On the other hand, there are songs like Spiralmind, Mysticum Arabicola, China Type, Zaii, A Gift Of Wings, Secret Names, Curious Corn, Vibuthi, Saucers, Feng Shui, Al-Salooq ... - they are rarely played alive, OT audience does not usually pay attention to them, but they represent the most valuable and most essential part of their music. This compilation is perhaps somewhere between these two dimensions of OT repertoire. I would never put Sploosh, Sultana Detrii, Sunscape, Coily and Myriapod on their best of. At the same time, I totally agree with Jurassic Shift, Saucers, Vibuthi and Eternal Wheel. The second disc is not the best, but 'the bonus', also bringing examples of illogical choice - Iscence, Neurochasm, Spyroid, Pyramidion?? Big disappointment.

Still OT music is so powerful and impressive that it cannot receive less than 4 stars.

At first I was surprised that this album/group was not listed as Progressive Electronic, but rather as Psychedelic/Space Rock. I understand that each band is classified under one and only one subgenre, and that bands change styles over time. Still, the songs on Eternal Wheel, which is a best-of compilation, seem to hang together; this didn't seem to be a band that has changed genre. But upon repeated listens, I began to see Ozric Tentacles as equal parts electronic-based outfit and jam band.

And while I've never been much of a fan of "jam bands," this group is pretty good. Since I've had and enjoyed this two-CD "best-of" set for more than ten years, you might think I'd search out more Ozric Tentacles. But I never have. I guess at some point during the second disc, around "Vibuthi," I feel like I've heard all this band has to offer. I've liked it, mind you, but two CDs is about the perfect quantity.

The songs are a good mix of energetic and mellow (but never too mellow). The drumming is strong, most songs have a solid bass line, and there is often a sequencer part, which together gave me the sense that this was more of an electronic-progressive act. But there are also a number of non-western instruments, and some decent electric-guitar shredding. There are no vocals.

Having given this one lots of spins, I'll say this is solid and enjoyable, but not essential.