SPEKTAKEL

You talk about your hidden gems, well here's another ! This German band's sole album is a mellotron lovers dream and so maybe it's not surprisng that Schicke and Frohling were part of this foursome before going on to form SCHICKE FUHRS FROHLING after SPEKTAKEL broke up. This is a band who loved to improvize and put on these big light shows during their concerts. The studio album here contains three long tracks along with a live bonus song that shows their improvizing skills as we get over 20 minutes of mellotron laden atmospheres. The three studio tracks are more structured but man these guys liked to jam then come back to the main theme. This is all so interesting and adventerous. This band really has captivated me with this 1974 release.

"The Eternal Question" opens with piano, drums and more that build. The tempo picks up and gets fuller. Check out the bass and guitar ! A calm before 2 1/2 minutes with guitar and mellotron then it calms down even more after 4 minutes with relaxed guitar as the mellotron returns. Vocals 5 minutes in then it becomes majestic reminding me of PFM of all bands. It kicks in before 7 1/2 minutes and we get some powerful organ after 9 minutes. It settles again with mellotron and laid back vocals then the guitar and drums join in as well. "Big Boss' Eyes" is funny lyrically. It's laid back early then we get some nice guitar after 2 minutes as things get more passionate and the drums pound. Mellotron a minute later as it picks up and the guitar retreats. Great section. Vocals are back after 4 minutes with that earlier soundscape. Organ to the fore after 5 minutes with a beat and vocals. Catchy stuff. The guitar replaces the vocals as the mellotron flows. Nice.

"7 Pounds Tommy" opens with a catchy and impressive instrumental display. Vocals 1 1/2 minutes in as it settles back with mellotron. Some bombast before 3 minutes when the vocals stop. It settles back 5 minutes in as the reserved vocals return. It then picks back up as we get this catchy pulsating rhythm. It changes 7 1/2 minutes in as the guitar comes to the fore along with passionate vocals. Laughter 10 minutes in and other samples including a birth ? Vocals are back 12 1/2 minutes in and some prominant guitar. Mellotron after 15 minutes. Great sound. "No No Not You" is the live bonus track at over 20 minutes. A haunting mellotron laden improv.

Easily 4 stars and an album that hits all the right buttons for me.