Igor G. - 30.07.2018  Californian KALEIDOSCOPE were arguably the most eclectic band of the late 60’s psychedelic era, weaving together Folk, Country, Blues, R&B, Funk, Ragtime, Middle Eastern, World-Ethnic, Old-Timey Music, and Art Rock influences more seamlessly than any other musicians of that period. The band was formed in 1966 under the nucleus of multi-instrumentalists David Lindley and Chris Darrow, and won a recording contract with Epic Records the same year. They recorded four albums and several singles for Epic Records between 1966 and 1970, which showcased the diversity of their compositional approach and appetite for experimentation. Artistically, their first three albums were their best. Those recordings featured both short, tight, witty, stylistically diverse, lyrically eccentric songs and complex, lengthy, mind-bending multi-part pieces in odd time signatures (like their groundbreaking oriental-psychedelic trips “Taxim” and “Seven-Ate Sweet”). Whatever song-writing style was used, the arrangements brought together the traditional rock lineup and huge arsenal of string instruments such as fiddle, banjo, oud, saz, sitar, etc. Perhaps, the band’s versatility worked against them in commercial terms and led to numerous personnel changes throughout the career. But the fact is that KALEIDOSCOPE remain on of the most notable, yet underrated contributors into the developing modern day Alternative, Psychedelic and Experimental Rock music. 3CD Box-Set “Pulsating Dreams: The Epic Recordings” (this particular edition is by the UK-based Floating World Records under license from Sony Music Entertainment, 2010) covers the entire recorded output of the band while they were on Epic Records. In addition to everything from their albums “Side Trips” (1967), “A Beacon from Mars” (1968), “Incredible!” (1969), and “Bernice” (1970), it includes quite a few non-LP singles and rarities. And some of those extras, like the old-timey “Little Orphan Nannie” or hard-bluesy “Just a Taste” B-side’s are not so easily found on other Kaleidoscope’s compilations. So, if you want the complete works of Kaleidoscope in their first and best incarnation (45 tracks clocking in at about 165 minutes), it's all here and supplemented by detailed notes in a 12-page booklet. Highly recommended item!
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