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November of 1969 Nektar was born when Roye Albrighton, Mo Moore, Taff Freeman, and Ron Howden join up. On January 10th, 1970 Mick Brockett added his liquid light backdrop films ideas, poetry and visual elements to complete the band’s psychedelic image to become the fifth member of Nektar.
More on this here: Classic Nektar Biographies
1971
By the summer of ’71, Nektar was recording their first album, ‘Journey To the Center of The Eye,’ for Bellaphon Records in Germany. One of the earliest concept albums, ‘Journey’s’ interstellar theme pre–dated both David Bowie’s "Space Oddity" and Elton John’s "Rocket Man," chronicling the story of an earth astronaut who experiences a close encounter of the third kind with superior
beings who transfer his space craft through "Hyperspace" into their own galaxy, the Dream Nebula. ‘Journey’ is represented here by parts 1 and 2 of "The Dream Nebula," where the astronaut arrives in the Nebula, and by "It’s All In The Mind," which details the earthman’s inability to comprehend the bizarre galaxy’s cosmic insights.
More on this album here: Journey to the Centre of the Eye
1972
Nektar followed ‘Journey’ with ‘A Tab In The Ocean,’ their second concept album was based on what would happen if all the oceans of the world were spiked with L.S.D.
“An awesome follow-up to the classic debut. The album starts with the 17–minute title track, which got an 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. I think this production gives the track a very powerful sound. Great themes, and all the other stuff you want from a composition of this length. The rest of the album is almost heavy–progressive, but with the typical Nektar–sound. "Desolation Valley" is quite genius with its simplistic, but extremely powerful and effective riffs. The buildup of this song is just great. "King of Twilight" is another classic. Stated simply: an excellent album," Tommy Shoenbergs.
More on ATITO here: A Tab in the Ocean
1973
Just four months after completing ‘A Tab In The Ocean,’ Nektar was back in Dierks Studio to cut ‘Sounds Like this,’ needing only thre4e days and nights to finish the two-record package. "Good Day," visually and musically one of the highlights of the Nektar live set, portrays the band in both mellow and explosive moods, sparked by Roye Albrighton’s sensitive vocals and scintillating guitar work, and Taff Freeman’s colorful organ passages, which serve as the perfect backdrop for Albrighton’s frantic soloing.
More on SLT here: Sounds Like This
Remember The Future
Nektar returned to England in August of ’73 to record their third concept album, "Remember The Future," the idyllic story of a space traveler named Bluebird, who, because of his wings and blue skin, is rejected by the inhabitants of a planet he visits. Bluebird finally meets a blind boy, who eventually regains his sight because he trusts the alien. In ‘Remember The Future,’ part one, Blue Bird makes mental contact with the boy, and projects the invalid’s world’s past and future though visions.
More on RTF here: Remember The Future
1974
1974's "Down To Earth" with Hawkwind friend Robert Calvert acting as ringmaster for the progressive circus is a tremendous listen. "Astral Man" is in its proper place as the album opens. Offering the perfect combination of catchy instrumentation with a great vocal, the three–minute tune would be superlative on stage as well.
"That's Life" is a work of art. The beauty of the song comes alive each listen. "Fidgety Queen" is in your face Nektar rock and roll with no apologies needed. "Oh Willy" can be thought of as a shorter version of "A Day In The Life Of A Preacher" from "Sounds Like This." In short form it still takes hold of your body. The album builds momentum and by the time the eighth track rolls around "Show Me To Way" you are elevated to an even higher level of musical brilliance. Make sure to please purchase the remaster with 6 alternate versions and some Robert Calvert ringmaster outtakes! Craig Fenton
More on DTE here: Down To Earth
1975
‘Recycled’ is Nektar's masterpiece, a magnificent piece of progressive music that stands with anything recorded in the genre. ‘Recycled’ is a stinging indictment of mankind’s uncanny ability to waste his resources and slowly destroy his world. It is Nektar’s warning to not only remember the future, but also remember the now.
‘Recycled’ portrays Nektar’s musicians in their prime. There’s hardly a more beautiful ending to a song that Taff Freeman’s piano solo, ending "It’s All Over" Roye Albrighton’s vocals are lustier than ever, and his guitar work incredibly inspiring. Ron Howden’s drumming proves further that he’s one of rock’s most inventive percussionists, and teamed with bassist Moore, a member of one of rock’s most solid rhythm sections. In Addition, some of the album’s finest moments were contributed by Larry "synergy" Fast, the synthesizer whiz kid whose technical knowledge proved invaluable in the misarranged Chateau’s studio.
More on Recycled here: Recycled
Nektar’s discography and history is quite extensive and is too much to list here but, more on the Nektar can be found here: The Nektar Project that will give you hours of enjoyment.
Boston Tapes |
Journey to the Centre of the Eye |
A Tab in the Ocean |
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| 2007 |
1971 |
1972 |
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| Sounds Like This |
Remember The Future |
Roundhouse |
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| 1973 |
1974 |
1974 |
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| Unidentified Flying Abstract |
Down to Earth |
Recycled |
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| 1974 |
1974 |
1975 |
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| Live in New York /
More Live In NY |
Magic is a Child |
Nektar s/t |
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| 1977 |
1977 |
19744 |
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| Thru the Ears |
Man in the Moon |
Nektar Highlights |
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| The Prodigal Son |
Greatest Hits Live |
Evolution |
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| 2001 |
2002 |
2004 |
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| Door To The Future |
Live In Detroit |
Fidgety Queen |
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| 2004 |
2007 |
1972 |
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| Astral Man |
RTf - The Single |
Flight To Reality |
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| 1974 |
1974 |
1974 |
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