JOURNEY TO THE OTHER SIDE - LIVE AT THE DUNELLEN THEATRE JUNE 10, 2023

Having once been threatened with legal action many years ago by saying in a review which version of a band I thought was the real one I am not going to make that mistake again. All I will say is that this version of Nektar, based in America instead of the one in Germany, had the last three surviving members of the original group in Derek "Mo" Moore (bass, vocals), Ron Howden (drums, percussion, vocals) and special effects maestro Mick Brockett (who was always considered a full member of the band) while Ryche Chlanda (guitars, vocals) had been a member in the Seventies and Randy Dembo (bass, 12-string guitar, Taurus pedals) joined in 2003, which only leaves keyboard player Kendall Scott and backing singer Maryann Castello as "newbies".

Nektar were huge in Germany back in the day, with their early albums like 'A Tab in the Ocean' being rightfully regarded as classics, but for some reason they never gained the acclaim in their home country that they should have and even now are not as highly regarded as they should be, mostly because they remain an unknown entity. Although the band were by this time missing Roye Albrighton and Allan "Taff" Freeman due to their passing, there is no doubt that here we have a band determined to recreate the Seventies with harmonies, wonderful melodies and intricate playing. Recorded on June 10th, 2023, here is a band full of passion and power, and it is difficult to comprehend the ages of those involved. This is the last recorded to feature drummer Ron Howden who died a few months later at the tender age of 78, yet he is playing on this set as if he was 50 years younger. They keyboard sounds being used by Kendall are from a time gone by, and this never feels like a new release but as if it is something which has been long lost and now discovered. True, the vocals are a little quavery at time, but this is the only place where the ages come through and given that Roye was normally the lead singer perhaps it is not surprising there is some frailty in that regard.

We get material from their 2020 release 'The Other Side" all the way back to 'A Tab in the Ocean' from 1972, and that they sit happily side by side is a tribute to the quality of the songs. Their mix of symphonic prog with space rock and psychedelia is as enjoyable today as it has ever been, and this is a great introduction to the band to anyone who has yet to come across them, while those of us who have enjoyed their music for years will just sit back and smile as we relax into the world of Nektar.