BIRTH CONTROL - THE VERY BEST OF

It is always a mistake and unfair to judge a compilation album on anything but the material it contains. It's a disservice to the new or unsure fan and doesn't do justice to the work, politicizing a release that may be one's introduction to an artist and pooh-poohing otherwise first-rate music. So let's get that out of the way right now, 'cause as collections go, this is a fine one from one of Germany's best early heavy prog groups.

This set begins with the fantastic and politically-minded 'Gamma Ray' from 1972, Birth Control's Purple pedigree obvious but forgivable, Wolfgang Neuser's organ elegantly leading and Bruno Franzel's ax cutting through. The strange lullabies of 'My Mind' with a cello and Franzel's droplets of guitar works well as a nightmarish psych bit, Zeus Held's Emersonian synth, and it's Sabbath meets ELP for the rousing 'Buy!' with terrific playing from all. The pumping 'Tiny Flashlights' reminds of Tony Kaye's Badger at times with great rhythm-oriented prog verging on Fusion and touches of AM radio schmaltz, cool classical R'nB of 'No Shade is Real', easy going 'This Song is Just for You', and Blackmore/Lord send-up 'Back From Hell'. 11-minute 'Plastic People' from 1975 reflects the best prog was offering and features tricky passages, modern stylings, ethnic oddities and neoclassical flash. Solid stuff, and recommended.