RAGA

This is my first Raga record ! I have to thank Logan for bringing the name of this band up in one of those "What was the first Prog album ?" threads.This was recorded in 1964 and yes it's hard for me to wrap my mind around that.THE BEATLES were just starting to conquer the world and your favourite Prog band did not even exist at this point in time. I'd like to know when the picture on the album cover was taken just because two of the guys have longer hair than what you'd see in 1964, so i'm sure it's from a few years later. A very cool, psychedelic picture anyway. SEVENTH SONS were a trio from New York and when they visited a friend's house in Baltimore they recorded this improv.The friend was Frank Eventoff who guests with some very prominant flute.The music recalls a lot of the Krautrock that I listen to where they jam endlessly with flute playing over top. The main trio play percussion, vibes, guitar and electric bass.Two of the guys offer up vocal melodies.This is one long 31 minute piece.

Things begin with percussion, acoustic guitar, flute,bass and vocal melodies. Flute comes to the fore 3 1/2 minutes in.The vocal expressions are back leading after 6 1/2 minutes as the flute settles back. These guys are just jamming.The flute is back leading after 18 minutes as the vocals stop.Vocals are back around 23 minutes. Both the flute and vocals stop around 28 minutes as percussion, bass and guitar lead.Then they both are back before 30 minutes to end it.

Apparently this band played the first ever electric Raga concert also in 1964. I really like the music and it's cool to own it for it's historical significance as well. So i'm rounding up to 4 stars.