Excellent debut album from British prog/folk/jazz band Marsupilami. For those who have never heard this group before (and you may never have, unless you owned the original LP's, as their catalog is just now getting released on CD) their music is somewhat of a cross between bands like The Strawbs, Nektar, Jethro Tull, East of Eden, Atomic Rooster, and at times King Crimson. This album was originally released in 1970, and is made up of dark, foreboding music that touches upon the early prog scene (lots of organ, flute, electric guitar) but also throws in some folky passages and jazz experimentations as well. "Dorian Deep" is a great example of the dark side of their music, a haunting, organ drenched number that also features the searing lead guitar work and mind numbing vocals of Dave Laverock. The dreamy "And the Eagle Chased" features soaring flute from Jessica Stanley-Clarke, a myriad of percussive effects, and saturated guitar lines from Laverock. Hints of Nektar, or even Deep Purple can be heard on the rampaging organ/guitar attack of "The Dove to it's Ruin", and the multi-part closer "Ab Initio Ad Finem " is a prog masterpiece with complex organ, guitar and flute lines that at times get very jazzy. In fact, there is some real neat bowed guitar sounds here that sound almost like a cello, made even more eerie with creepy organ lingering in the backdrop, sounding almost like something off the first Gentle Giant record!
A highly recommended snapshot of prog-rock's early years-check it out!
Track Listing
1) Dorian Deep
2) Born to be Free
3) And the Eagle Chased
4) The Dove to It's Ruin
5) Ab Initio Ad Finem (The Opera)/Facilis Descensus Averni
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