This is classed as the debut album by the band, even though they had released five previous efforts on cassette only. This version is the 2020 Ed Wynne remaster.
As usual with most of the early Ozric, the songs feel like extended jams and opener Dissolution is no exception. Lots of cool guitar from Mr. Wynne played over the top of some seriously spacey grooves and movie scape keyboards. They really make Hawkwind look dated. O-I follows and feels as though there is an actual structure to the piece, with lots of world music influences interspersed and some beautiful guitar from Ed. It’s a bit like early Santana on speed. Phalarn Dawn is way more chill, and you get visions of Nepal with the drums. The Domes Of G’Bal ends Side 1 and the spacey keys open up to a reggae infused trippy groove.
The centrepiece of the whole record the is the nearly 11 minutes of Ayurvedic. If you think of seventies Prog then this could be the soundtrack to the whole movement. My favourite tune is up next with Kick Muck. Awesome phased riff from Ed, with a trippy rave groove underneath. As with most early Ozric releases, you get a little taste of the weird. And last track Agog In The Ether is just that.
A cool look back into the early years of a very influential band.
7.5/10 from The Grooveman.
