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Thursday, January 08, 2009

Twenty Sixty Six And Then - Reflections (1972)


















The group created this uncommon name by adding thousand years to the historic battle of Hastings in 1066. Unfortunately, their lifespan was rather short: from Spring 1971 to Summer 1972.
Their one and only album is nothing short of an all time classic: Reflections On The Future (1972), recorded during Autumn 1971 at the Dierks Studio, Stommeln near Cologne. This album contained five long heavy progressive tracks with a dramatic mood and a quite unique German styling. "At My Home", a fast tempo opener, kicked off the album with stunning heavy guitars, swirling hammond organs and Geff Harrison's great, though slightly soul-influenced vocals. The next track "Autumn" brought in the topics of death and desintergration. The melancholic lyrics predated Pink Floyd's "Time":
"Butterking" had weird, trippy lyrics dealing with the arrival of the Butterking (??) - the king of butterflies! The track is an uncommon masterpiece, featuring jungle sound effects, very slow and heavy organ and guitar riffs interrupted by perverted "ragtime" piano interludes.

The 15 minute title track offered some great instrumental excursions, ending with a psychedelic space flight! "How Do You Feel" rounded off the album in a marvellous way, featuring a haunting vocal arrangement. The original version of this song (recorded some months prior to the album sessions) lasted for 13 minutes! The musicians of the group excelled throughout the album. Engineer Dieter Dierks ensured great sound quality and added his patented "cosmic" phasing effects.
(Those who have heard the Kosmische Kuriere albums will know what I'm talking about!) Due to poor sales and a ruined economy, one of Germany's best groups had a premature death only months after the album's release. A projected 1972 single was never released. Their legacy is an album that should be in every serious German rock collection! It's quite rare that so many talented musicians are assembled in one group. They were later involved in many other projects: Geff Harrison and Cagey Mrozeck joined Kin Ping Meh, in time for their third album (released on Zebra). Steve Robinson (his real name was Rainer Geyer!) played with Nine Days' Wonder and Aera.
Veit Marvos recorded with Emergency, Tiger B. Smith and Midnight Circus. Konstatin Bommarius played drums for Abacus and on Karthago's Rock'n'Roll Testament. None of these later projects have stood the test of time as well as Reflections On The Future. United Artists originals sell for DEM 500 in mint condition.

Geff Harrison lead vocals, lyrics Gagey Mrozeck guitars Veit Marvos keyboards Dieter Baucer bass Steve Robinson keyboards Konstantin Bommarius drums guest: Wolfgang Schöonbrot flute Curt Cress drums

(Info by: CGR)

01. At My Home - 7.58
02. Autumn - 9.06
03. Butterking - 7.17
04. Reflections On The Future - 15.48
05. The Way That I Feel Today - 11.11
06. Spring - 13.02
07. I Wanna Stay - 3.59
08. Time Can't Take It Away - 4.38


















Size: 136 Mb
Bitrate: 256 mp3
Artwork Included
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