The four Englishmen who formed the initial incarnation of Nektar met in Germany and formed the band there in 1969. For a little while in the early to mid-'70s, it seemed like they might take the American rock world by storm, but that was mostly hype, and by 1975 their big moment had already passed, although they lingered on until the end of the decade and have re-formed in the new millennium, recording several new CDs and appearing at various progressive music festivals.
Allan Freeman (keyboards, vocals), Roye Albrighton (guitar, vocals), Derek Moore (bass, Mellotron, vocals), and Ron Howden (drums) all came to Hamburg from England in 1965 as members of different bands. They met in 1968 at the Star Club, where they discovered some common ground in the Beatles as well as early rock & roll but were drawn to the more experimental sounds just beginning to emerge on the rock scene. A year later they formed Nektar and began working at combining these influences into an effective whole. By 1970, with a light show (designed and operated by unofficial fifth member Mick Brockett) added to their stage act, they began attracting a growing following in Germany. by Bruce Eder
Journey To The Centre Of The Eye (1971)
Nektar's debut album was one of their finest releases, saturated with abstract psychedelia and a wonderful science-fiction motif that is magnified through the rigorous but dazzling Mellotron of Allan Freeman and Roye Albrighton's nomadic guitar playing. Throughout Journey's 13 cuts, Nektar introduced their own sort of instrumental surrealism that radiated from both the vocals and from the intermingling of the haphazard drum and string work. With the synthesizer churning and boiling in front of Howden's percussive attack and Mick Brockett's "liquid lights," tracks like "Astronaut's Nightmare," "It's All in the Mind," and both "Dream Nebula" cuts teeter back and forth from mind-numbing, laid-back melodies to excitable, open-ended excursions of fantastical progressive rock. Just as Hawkwind was exploring the depths of outer space with their progressive tendencies on most of their albums, Journey to the Centre of the Eye musically probed the inner universe of the mind and body with its very own conceptual field trip. "Burn Out My Eyes" and "Warp Oversight" are let loose with buzz-saw vocals and hazy, undefined guitar chords which converge and fade into background rhythms, while the 54 seconds of "Look Inside Yourself" is a short, illusory voyage that ends too soon. Nektar's freewheeling sound is best felt on Journey and on their next three releases, as by the end of the decade, their progressive moods and ambient-like suites started to get harder and take on more of a mainstream feel.
Journey to the Centre of the Eye is the debut album from English progressive rock band Nektar that came out in late 1971. Because of its narrative nature, it has been called a rock opera and/or dense concept album. Listen to it from start to end, and you'll surely get a very enjoyable journey to the centre of the eye! Wikipedia
Tracklist 1:
1. Prelude 1:26
2. Astronauts Nightmare 6:26
3. Countenance 3:34
4. The Nine Lifeless Daughters Of The Sun 2:54
5. Warp Oversight 4:10
6. The Dream Nebula 2:16
7. The Dream Nebula II 2:26
8. It's All In The Mind 3:22
9. Burn Out My Eyes 6:35
10. Void Of Vision 1:55
11. Pupil Of The Eye 2:07
12. Look Inside Yourself 0:45
13. Death Of The Mind 4:07
Tracklist 2: Bonus CD
Official Bootleg: Live In Germany
1. Prelude 2:03
2. Astronauts Nightmare 6:50
3. Countenance 3:37
4. The Nine Lifeless Daughters Of The Sun 3:26
5. Warp Oversight 4:29
6. The Dream Nebula 2:24
7. The Dream Nebula II 2:34
8. It's All In The Mind 3:39
9. Burn Out My Eyes 7:24
10. Void Of Vision 1:11
11. Pupil Of The Eye 2:07
12. Look Inside Yourself 1:31
13. Death Of The Mind 5:04
Credits:
Roye Albrighton - guitars, vocals
Mick Brockett - liquid lights
Allan "Taff" Freeman - Mellotron, pianos, organ, vocals
Ron Howden - drums, percussion
Derek "Mo" Moore - Mellotron, bass, vocals
Keith Walters - static slides
Dieter Dierks - additional piano
A Tab In The Ocean (1972)
A Tab in the Ocean is the second album from German-based English progressive rock band Nektar. An awesome follow-up to the classic debut. The album starts with the 17–minute title track, which got a atmosphere that fits the title quite good. The track sounds like it was recorded in a big hall, with Nektar on one side of the hall, and the recording–equipment on the other side. Wikipedia
Tracklist 1:
1. A Tab In The Ocean / The Original 1972 Mix 16:52
2. Desolation Valley ~ Waves / The Original 1972 Mix 8:12
3. Crying In The Dark / The Original 1972 Mix 6:28
4. King Of Twilight / The Original 1972 Mix 4:22
5. A Tab In The Ocean / The 1976 U.S. Mix 16:04
6. Desolation Valley ~ Waves / The 1976 U.S. Mix 8:33
7. Crying In The Dark / The 1976 U.S. Mix 5:13
8. King Of Twilight / The 1976 U.S. Mix 4:05
Tracklist 2: Bonus CD
Official Bootleg
1. A Tab In The Ocean 17:45
2. Porcelain Valley (Later Called 'Desolation Valley') 11:33
3. Cryin' In The Dark 9:16
4. Desolation Valley ~ Waves 8:24
Credits:
Roye Albrighton - guitars, vocals
Mick Brockett - liquid lights
Allan Freeman - keyboards, backing vocals, Mellotron
Ron Howden - drums, percussion, backing vocals
Derek "Mo" Moore - bass, vocals
... Sounds Like This (1973)
…Sounds Like This is the third album from English progressive rock band Nektar, released in 1973. By far their heaviest album, numerous sections of the album contain lengthy, highly chaotic electric guitar and organ solos. The track "New Day Dawning" contains a reference to the Beatles song "Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)". These pieces actually pre date the first two Nektar releases (Journey & Tab), many are from Roye Albrighton or from Mo, Taff & Ron (Prophecy) compositions from their pre Nektar days. Wikipedia
Tracklist 1:
1. Good Day 6:45
2. New Day Dawning 5:03
3. What Ya Gonna Do? 5:25
4. 1-2-3-4 12:43
5. Do You Believe In Magic 7:16
6. Cast Your Fate 5:45
7. A Day In The Life Of A Preacher: a) Preacher / b) Squeeze / c) Mr. H 12:58
8. Wings 3:47
9. Odyssey: a) Ron's On / b) Never Never Never / c) Da-Da-Dum 14:25
Tracklist 2: Bonus CD
Live November 13, 1971
1. Good Day 7:59
2. Odyssee (Da-Da-Dum) 6:51
3. 1-2-3-4 13:34
4. Do You Believe In Magic? 4:55
5. Odyssee (Ron's On) 10:42
6. New Day Dawning 7:30
Credits:
Roye Albrighton - lead vocals, guitars
Allan "Taff" Freeman - keyboards, vocals
Derek "Mo" Moore - bass, vocals
Ron Howden - drums, percussion
Mick Brockett - lights
Remember The Future (1973)
Remember the Future is the fourth album from English progressive rock band Nektar. It is a concept album featuring one song divided into two parts. …This album also have the most perfected Nektar–sound. The lyrics is about a boy who speaks to a bird, and the whole story has a very optimistic and nice message. The album was also Nektar's best selling, so it seems that the record–buying public SOMETIMES have some good taste. This album is just as important to any prog collection as Yes's "Close to the Edge", ELP's "Brain Salad Surgery" and Genesis's "Foxtrot". Wikipedia
Tracklist 1:
1. Remember The Future, Pt. 1 16:41
a) Images of the Past
b) Wheel of Time
c) Remember the Future
d) Confusion
2. Remember The Future, Pt. 2 19:01
a) Returning Light
b) Questions and Answers
c) Tomorrow Never Comes
d) Path of Light
e) Recognition
f) Let It Grow
Tracklist 2: Bonus CD
1. Remember The Future / Radio Edit 9:54
2. Let It Grow / Radio Edit 3:52
3. Lonely Roads / Radio Edit 2:18
4. New Day Dawning / The 1970 Boston Tapes 5:36
5. Do You Believe in Magic / The 1970 Boston Tapes 3:40
6. Candlelight / The 1970 Boston Tapes 4:00
7. Good Day / The 1970 Boston Tapes 8:51
8. The Life I've Been Leading / The 1970 Boston Tapes 4:34
9. Where Did You Go / The 1970 Boston Tapes 5:27
10. Sealed With A Kiss / The 1970 Boston Tapes 3:56
11. Our Love Will Last Forever / The 1970 Boston Tapes 4:53
Credits:
Allan "Taff" Freeman - keyboards, backing vocals
Roye Albrighton - guitars, lead vocals
Derek "Mo" Moore - bass guitar, backing vocals
Ron Howden - drums, percussion, backing vocals
Mick Brockett - lighting, projections and visual effects
Down To Earth (1974)
Depending on who you ask, this is either Nektar's greatest or worst album. As Albrighton explained later, it was the band's attempt to re-invent itself as someone else -- like the Magical Mystery Tour. Old fans were appalled; but as the first album to get much airplay in the U.S., it brought in new fans who found it by far their most accessible work. Its progressive and funk elements are set around a demented circus theme, with the songs introduced by a loony Teutonic ringmaster. "That's Life," powered by chattering drums and a positively orgasmic Rickenbacker bass sound, is a standout of progressive rock showmanship. Delicate pieces like "Little Boy" and "Early Morning Clown" -- where Albrighton uses rotating Leslie speakers to great effect -- alternate with pub rockers like "Fidgety Queen" and the lumbering funk of "Nelly the Elephant." For new fans, this album is the place to start; and if they're willing to take it on its own terms, old fans might find a place in their heart for it too. by Paul Collins
Tracklist:
1 Astral Man
2 Nelly The Elephant
3 Early Morning Clown
4 That’s Life
5 Fidgety Queen
6 Oh Willy
7 Little Boy
8 Show Me The Way
9 Finale
Bonus Tracks
Bonus Tracks
10 Astral Man
11 Nelly The Elephant
12 Early Morning Clown
13 That s Life
14 Oh Willy
15 Show Me The Way
16 Rovert Calvert Outtakes
Credits:
Backing Vocals – Kenneth Cole (tracks: 3, 4, 7), P.P. Arnold (tracks: 3, 4, 7)
Bass, Vocals – ''Mo'' Moore
Choir – Chipping Norton Mandies (tracks: 2, 10)
Drums, Percussion – Ron Howden
Effects [Special], Sounds – Dieter Dierks
Engineer – Barry Hammond
Keyboards, Vocals – ''Taff'' Freeman
Lead Vocals, Guitar – Roye Albrighton
Producer, Written-By – Nektar
Tenor Saxophone – Steve Gregory (tracks: 2, 5, 6, 10)
Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – Chris Mercer (tracks: 2, 5, 6, 10)
Trombone – Chris Pyne (tracks: 2, 5, 7, 10)
Trumpet [1st] – Butch Hudson (tracks: 2, 5, 7, 10)
Trumpet [2nd] – Ron Carthy (tracks: 2, 5, 7, 10)
Tuba – Stephan Wick (tracks: 1)
Tuba [Bass] – Phil Brown (tracks: 1)
Voice [Ringmaster] – Bob Calvert (tracks: 1, 2, 4, 5)
Sunday Night At London Roundhouse (1974)
Tracklist:
1-1 King Of Twilight 12:10
1-2 Desolation Valley 8:58
1-3 A Day In The Life Of A Preacher Featuring The Birth Of Oh Willie 19:50
1-4 Summer Breeze 3:04
1-5 Cast Your Fate 5:41
2-1 Remember The Future Part One 18:47
2-2 Odyssey (Ron's On) 11:15
2-3 1-2-3-4 12:31
2-4 Remember The Future Part Two (Let It Grow) 5:14
2-5 Woman Trouble 6:09
Credits:
Bass, Vocals – Derek 'Mo' Moore
Drums, Percussion – Ron Howden
Guitar, Lead Vocals – Roye Albrighton
Keyboards – Allan 'Taff' Freeman
Lighting [Lights] – Mick Brocket
Recorded By – Roye Albrighton
Written-By – Nektar
Recycled (1975)
While the instrumental alliances that take place throughout Recycled aren't nearly as solid as on Journey to the Center of the Eye or Remember the Future, the album still harbors some of Nektar's intergalactic progressive rock penchants, although a slight decline in the band's cohesion is apparent. Guitarist Roy Albrighton lacks his usual gusto on most of the tracks, but tends to show signs of earlier days on both "Flight to Reality" and "Automatic Horrorscope." What does hold strong is Nektar's ability to conjure up a science-fiction atmosphere through the unorthodox application of percussion, guitar, and keyboards. Tracks like "Unendless Imagination" and "Cybernetic Consumption" wallow in a futuristic amalgam of strings and synth, with Larry Fast working the keyboards this time around. Fast holds his end up for the most part, but at times his playing sounds manufactured and colorless, which in turn dampens the rest of the surrounding instruments. Some intriguing creativity arises near the end of the album with "Sao Paulo Sunrise" and "Marvellous Moses," which resembles some of Nektar's early-'70s material. Recycled isn't a total disappointment, but the frequency of solid instrumentation and ability to hold attention does seem to fluctuate from time to time. by Mike DeGagne
Tracklist:
Part One 17:38
1 Recycle 2:47
2 Cybernetic Consumption 2:12
3 Recycle Countdown 1:51
4 Automaton Horrorscope 3:08
5 Recycling 1:46
6 Flight To Reality 1:18
7 Unendless Imagination? 4:36
Part Two 19:07
8 São Paulo Sunrise 3:05
9 Costa Del Sol 4:04
10 Marvellous Moses 6:37
11 It's All Over 5:21
Credits:
Arranged By [Choir] – Christian Kolonovits
Arranged By [Orchestral Moog Arrangements] – Larry "Synergy" Fast
Bass, Vocals – "Mo" Moore
Choir – The English Chorale
Conductor [Choir] – Robert Howes
Drums, Percussion – Ron Howden
Guitar, Lead Vocals – Roye Albrighton
Keyboards, Vocals – "Taff" Freeman
Live In New York (1977)
The problem with progressive rock artists recording live albums lies in the fact that the same feeling of wonderment, musical vastness, and escapism mustered on their studio releases is difficult to capture on-stage. Half of this dilemma plagues Nektar's Live in New York release recorded in 1977, while the rest of the album's disappointments stem from the group's removal of their early-'70s progressive sound altogether. The nine cuts that make up Live in New York fail to show the true essence of their progressive beginnings, with the songs embellishing more of a straight-ahead rock & roll style. Gone are the long keyboard wanderings, the abstract guitar trips that spiral into the rest of the musical interplay, and the fantastic ambience that was once formed by the music's overall trippiness. By this time, Nektar's sound was shed of any distinctness that it once touted, presenting average-sounding pieces such as "Woman," "Good Ol' Rock'N Roll," and "Show Me the Way" without much flair or excitability. Some redemption can be found on the 15 minutes of "A Day in the Life of a Preacher," which best resembles their early style, and in "King of Twilight," a cut taken from 1972's A Tab in the Ocean album. After Roye Albrighton departed following their Recycled release, Nektar was never the same, and the regression of the rest of the band's chemistry can easily be regarded here. The album sounds messy and cluttered, with a disorganized feel coming mostly from the guitar playing and from the minimal enthusiasm of the group -- and many of the pressings of Life in New York suffer from poor production as well. While the album may be of interest to die-hard fans, Nektar's true progressive essence can be better felt through most of their studio albums. by Mike DeGagne
Tracklist 1:
1 Introduction ~ Astral Man
2 Remember The Future Part One
3 Marvellous Moses
4 It's All Over
5 Good Day
6 That's Life
7 Show Me The Way
Tracklist 2:
1 A Day In The Life Of A Preacher
2 Desolation Valley
3 Remember The Future
4 Crying In The Dark ~ I Can See You
5 King Of Twilight
6 Woman Trouble
7 Medley: Johnny B. Goode ~ Sweet Little Rock And Roller ~ Blue Suede Shoes ~ Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On
8 Fidgety Queen
Credits:
Bass, Vocals, Mellotron – Mo Moore
Drums, Percussion – Ron Howden
Guitar, Vocals – Roye Albrighton
Keyboards, Vocals – Taff Freeman
Lighting [Lights] – Mick Brocket
Mixed By – Manfred Schunke
Producer, Mixed By, Design [Cover Idea And Concept] – Peter Hauke
Magic Is A Child (1977)
Magic Is a Child was released in 1977, the debut for new Nektar guitarist Dave Nelson. Carrying on, though, from where their last set left off, Nektar's fascination with shorter, punchier songs continued unabated, even while the keyboards continued to swell and the guitars shifted ever more toward the symphonic. Nektar's brightening vistas were new, however, and a fatal flaw as far as their fans were concerned. They didn't want breezy pop, and breezy pop fans didn't want Nektar, while the band's new label, Polydor, apparently didn't care either way. The art department did spring for the 13-year-old Brooke Shields to appear on the front cover, but that was it in terms of promotion. Thematically, too, little about Magic Is a Child recalls Nektar's days as prog darlings. The opening "Away from Asgard" is a fine slab of Norse storytelling, tied into the vast dark forests of northern Germany (where the band was still based), while "Midnight Light" also has a romantic Germanic tinge, as it eulogizes the village of Seeheimut. "Love to Share," in contrast, is an unabashed Beatles tribute, riddled with affectionate borrowings and an oddly effective backward drum, while "On the Run (The Trucker)" still sounds like a slice of AOR radio filler. by Jo-Ann Greene
Tracklist:
1 Away From Asgard
2 Magic Is A Child
3 Eerie Lackawanna
4 Midnight Light
5 Love To Share (Keep Your Worries Behind You)
6 Train From Nowhere
Guitar [Ethereal] – Walt Nektroid
7 Listen
Music By – R. Albrighton
8 On The Run (The Trucker)
9 Spread Your Wings
Bonus Tracks
10 Away From Asgard (Original Demo)
11 On The Run (Alternate Mix)
12 Train From Nowhere (Alternate Version)
Featuring – Robert Fripp
Credits:
Arranged By – Jeff Kawalek, Nektar
Arranged By [String Quartet] – Stephan Galfas
Bass [Basses, Bassthings] – Mo Moore
Drums, Percussion – Ron Howden
Guitar – Dave Nelson
Keyboards – Taff Freeman
Music By – T. Freeman, D. Nelson, D. Moore, R. Howden, S. Barth (tracks: 1 to 4, 10)
Percussion [Percussives, Smurds] – Ron Howden
Strings [String Quartet] – Julien Barber, Kermit Moore, Michael Commins, Anthony Posk
Synthesizer – Taff Freeman, Larry Fast
Vocals – Taff Freeman, Dave Nelson, Mo Moore, Ron Howden
