- Steve Hoffman -- vocals, sitar, bass, keyboards (1967-68)

- John Leighton -- vocals, bass, guitar (1967-68)

- John Moreland -- lead guitar (1967-68)

- Bob Phillips -- drums, percussion (1967-68)
- Ron Roman -- vocals, percussion (1967-68)
 

- Lancelot Link and the Evolution Revolution

  (Steve Hoffman)

- Ron Roman & the Proposition (Steve Hoffman and 

  Ron Roman)

Genre: psych

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  The Mystic Astrologic Crystal Band

Company: Carole

Catalog: CAR 8001

Year: 1967

Country/State: West Covina, California

Grade (cover/record): VG / VG

Comments: minor ring wear; has two small drill holes bottom left and top right corners

Available: 2

GEMM Catalog ID: not yet listed

Price: $90.00

The band name, the song titles, the clothing, wow, talk about a period timepiece ...  This one caught my attention due to the fact I'd seen a picture of it in one of Hans Pokora's rare LP books (think it might have been 2001 Record Collectors Dreams).  Their second LP's also listed.  Regardless, it's one of the more interesting buys we've made over the last couple of years and it's still rather reasonably priced.

First, I'll readily admit that what little I know about this outfit is largely based on the liner notes from their debut LP.  Producer Clancy B. Grass III supposedly discovered multi-instrumentalist/writer Steve Hoffman and band (bassist John Leighton, lead guitarist John Moreland, drummer  Bob Phillips and singer Ron Roman), playing in a West Covina, California teen club.  The story is that Hoffman apparently approached Grass informing him that his band was going to be as big as the Beatles.  That egomaniac streak didn't seem to bother Grass, who helped the band sign with Gene Norman's Carole Record label.  

So what's this baby sound like?  Well, as we said it's definitely a timepiece.  With Hoffman responsible for writing all ten tracks, the Grass produced "The Mystic Astrologic Crystal Band" offers up an interesting mix of psych and what you'd call sunshine pop.  I've seen a couple of reviews that compare the LP to The Yellow Balloon and the comparison' wasn't too far off, though Hoffman's affection for the sitar and Grass' production touches gave this a far more distinctive psych edge.  Musically the collection was pretty much divided between the two genres, though Grass added interesting production touches to virtually every track - 'Early Dawn' shifted from great harmony rich pop to a weird phasing segment and then back again.  At least to my ears the psychier tracks provided the album highlights.  Among the more interesting numbers were the sitar propelled 'Factory Endeavor' (with an odd series of right to left and back fades), 'Barnyard Philosophy' and 'Publicly Inclined (To Blow Her Mind)'.  Elsewhere 'Flowers Never Cry' b/w 'Earl Dawn' was released as a single (Carole catalog number CAR 1004).  

 If there are any MACB experts out there, I always wondered why the front cover showed six people, while the flip side photo showed five.  Presumably producer Grass was on the front cover.  I also wondered about the weird liner notes from Albeth Paris (of The Paris Sisters).  Not exactly the person you would associate with a psych LP like this ...  I think the connect may have had something to do with the fact Grass had produced a number of Paris Sisters records.

"The Mystic Astrologic Crystal Band" track listing: 

(side 1)

1.) Factory Endeavor   (Steve Hoffman) - 2:30

2.) Early Dawn   (Steve Hoffman) - 2:05

3.) Antagonizing Friend   (Steve Hoffman) - 2:27

4.) Barnyard Philosophy   (Steve Hoffman) - 2:06

5.) Flowers Never Cry   (Steve Hoffman) - 2:18

(side 2)

1.) Geometry Alley   (Steve Hoffman) - 2:29

2.) October Sunshine   (Steve Hoffman) - 2:00

3.) La Vent   (Steve Hoffman) - 3:04

4.) Publicly Inclined (To Blow Her Mind)   (Steve Hoffman) - 2:42

5.) Yesterday's Girl   (Steve Hoffman) - 2:40

Genre: psych

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Clip-Out, Put-On Book

Company: Carole

Catalog: CARS 8003

Year: 1968

Country/State: West Covina, California

Grade (cover/record): VG / VG

Comments: gatefold sleeve with insert' DJ stamp on front cover

Available: 1

GEMM Catalog ID: not yet listed

Price: $90.00

Released the following year, 1968's "Clip-Out, Put-On Book" wasn't a major stylistic departure from the debut.  Again produced by Clancy B. Grass III the dozen tracks were a bit more diverse, but like the debut the album served as a spotlight for Steve Hoffman's considerable talents.  In addition to handling some of the lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards, etc. Hoffman was again responsible for penning all 12 songs.  To his credit Hoffman was a talented craftsman; almost chameleon like in his ability to mimic popular styles and the sounds of other acts.  That gave the album a fun 'spot-the-influence' characteristic ...  Opening up with a stab of feedback and some freak-out guitar 'The M.A.C.B. Theme' sounded like a "Sgt Pepper" outtake, 'Early Dawn' offered up a cool hybrid of The Association meet the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the martial paced 'Gaberdene Square' sounded like the band had been listening to some Jefferson Airplane, 'I Think I'll Just Lie Here and Die' sported a distinctive blue-eyed soul influence (love the 'gimme some skin' voice).  Other highlights came in the form of Monkees-styled 'Krystalize' and 'Today' (the latter with Davy Jones-styled vocal).  Professional, entertaining and fun, there wasn't anything particularly original here and the first couple of spins I found myself  left with the nagging feeling that Hoffman and company were simply trying to tap into the current popular trend in an effort to make a couple of bucks.  If folks had been big into polka, they would have been more than willing to respond with a one and a two and a ...  The funny thing is that Hoffman and company were enthusiastic enough to pull it off.  This one certainly has that 'creep' factor in that the more you listen to it the more enjoyable it becomes. 

"The Mystic Astrologic Crystal Band" track listing: 

(side 1)

1.) The M.A.C.B. Theme   (Steve Hoffman) - 2:17

2.) Sunbeams and Rainbows   (Steve Hoffman) - 2:55

3.) I Think I'll Just Lie Here and Die   (Steve Hoffman) - 2:22

4.) Gaberdene Square   (Steve Hoffman) - 3:32

5.) Ah Ha Ha Ha   (Steve Hoffman) - 2:33

6.) Krystalize   (Steve Hoffman) - 2:35

(side 2)

1.) Today   (Steve Hoffman) - 1:58

2.) Yellow Room   (Steve Hoffman) - 2:45

3.) Authors   (Steve Hoffman) - 3:20

4.) It's Strange   (Steve Hoffman) - 2:40

5.) Only Time   (Steve Hoffman) - 2:46

6.) Oatmeal Quicksand   (Steve Hoffman) - 1:01

Roman and Hoffman subsequently released a pair of instantly obscure singles under the moniker Ron Roman & the Proposition.  

- 1968's 'Two Face Madonna' b/w 'The Ways of Love Are Strange (Dot catalog number 45-17185)

- 1969's 'I'll Be Your Baby Tonight' b/w 'Just To Let Rosemary' (Dot catalog number 45-17264)

Hoffman was also the musical mastermind behind the Lancelot Link Secret Chimp LP.  If you're into bubblegum and children's television, check it out (see the above link).  He also made a name for himself in the world of remastering with DCC prior to the company going bacnkrupt in 2001. For anyone interested, Hoffman has an extensive website at:

http://www.stevehoffman.tv/

If your looking for a CD format reissue of the MACB catalog, in 1991 the Drop Out label repackaged both LPs under the title "Flowers Never Cry" (Drop Out catalog number 1993).