Search - Quintessence :: Epitaph for Tomorrow

In Blissful Company

Junglies | Morrisville, NC United States | 03/09/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Quintessence were on of Britain's second division bands around at the end of the 1960s who had to be experienced live.Formed by a collection of alternative lifestyle individuals based in Notting Hill Gate / Ladbroke Grove area of London, the band members had embraced Hinduism and their music reflected that.The first album, for Island Records was entitled In Blissful Company and was quite a radical departure for a rock band. The Byrds had introduced Raga Rock but this band took the concept to an entirely different plane. The words were of a heavily spiritual nature, reflecting their rejection of mind altering chemical substances and stressing the beneficial effects of meditation for the transcendental experience. The music itself reflected the mainly Indian influences of the band and especially prominent was the flute playing of Raja Ram, last heard of as a Trance DJ on the island of Goa but that is another story. That being said the softer, melodic side of the music was only one side to the band. At the same time there was a strong psychedelic element of guitar playing which took the band and it's audience to new heights. Very reminiscent of their contemporaries in Germany, Ash Ra Tempel, this was a highlight of their stageshow where they produced extended jam sessions. On their second album, Quintessence, it was this side which was developed more. A more polished performance all round the second album contained chants which blended in with songs and all interspersed with some blistering guitar playing. Despite the heavy religious leanings this is a superb album.Epitaph for tomorrow consists of most of the tracks of the first two albums with some cut due to time considerations. This album, is one of the best snapshots of psychedelic Britain at it's best and I would highly recommend it."