Only around 80 copies were reputedly sold of this keyboard dominated
progressive album, making it one of the most difficult major label (Vertigo)
releases to trace. It was, however, better than it's reputation would suggest.
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The
basis of the record is the concept of the division of the soul into three
- the Spiritus, which represents the inhereent good side of Man, the side
of beauty, gentleness and goodness; the Manes or the part of the soul which
inhabits the underworld, more benevolent than malevolent but mixing with
the damned; and lastly the Umbra, the shade of the soul which refuses to
leave the earth, and stays to haunt the world.
Only around 80 copies were reputedly sold of this keyboard dominated
progressive album, making it one of the most difficult major label (Vertigo)
releases to trace. It was, however, better than it's reputation would suggest.
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| The band were the musical vehicle of a North Wales professor called Keith Keyes. They were signed to Vertigo by Patrick Campbell-Lyons after he'd been sent a tape of Keyes' singing accompanied only by a piano. The lyrics are all written by professor Keyes, and his philosophical point of view is strongly reflected in the lyrics. Although this inevitably hanged heavy on the music, the careful approach applied to most of it saved a lot. The parts where the shadow side of the soul plays the cardinal role are full of real despair and get a convincing musical treatment. The sparse instrumentation, virtually without guitar, is skillfully used by this English trio. The cover had been designed by Barney Bubbles, who was better known for designing Hawkwind's sleeves. Sadly, little is know about this recording, which became the only album Dr. Z ever made.. |
| Tracks: 1. Evil Woman's Manly Child (4.47) 2. Spiritus, Manes Et Umbra (11.36) 3. Summer For The Rose (4.28) 4. Burn In Anger (3.26) 5. Too Well Satisfied (5.51) 6. In A Token Of Despair (10.13) (Click on song titles for meanings and lyrics)
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Band Members:
Keith Keyes - Piano, harpsichord, organ and vocals Bob Watkins - Drums and percussion Rob Watson - Bass guitar --- Produced by Keith Keyes Executive Producer: Patrick Campbell-Lyons Recording Engineer: Richard Digby Smith Assistant: Trevor Lucas Design: Barney Bubbles/Phil Freaks Compositions published by Chappell and Co Ltd Recorded at Island Studios, London |
| Release info: Released by Vertigo (Vertigo 6360 048) 1971 R3 Reissued on CD (Vertigo/Second Battle SB 012) 1991. Reissued on CD (Si-Wan Records SRMC 0015) 1994. The 1991 CD reissue came in two formats and included both sides
of their earlier non album 45:Lady Ladybird/People In The Street (Fontana
6007 023) 1970, which was a fine example of inventive late sixties pop (without
any occult matters thus not included at this page). Aside from the straight-forward
CD reissue, there's also a lavish 7" sleeve CD package which tries to replicate
the original open out sleeve. Album art: |
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The voice of the singer sounds more sinister and pissed off, or evil for that matter, on this record. The voice is sung double on the tracks "Evil Woman's Manly Child" and "Burn In Anger". By double I mean one ordinary voice and one whispering one. The whispering one is quite creepy. Also, the music is of course very harpsichord dominated (since no guitar is used), and that gives this band their own sound in a way. There are actually some flute (may be a keyboard-flute) on the song "Burn In Anger", which is quite a nice touch. The song "Spiritus, Manes Et Umbra" has a cool intro, with a choir (echo) voice singing "Spiritus, Manes Et Umbra" over and over again. Later the track falls apart by a long, uninteresting drumming part, like a drum solo that goes on for 5 minutes...it is far from the best part of this album. The best part is saved to the last track, "In A Token Of Despair", which is a pretty, calm and peaceful song. It also includes some choir parts where the soft choir (echo) sings "Dies Irae, Dies Illa" - my favorite part of the album. Very beautiful.... In all I would recommend this album if you like what you've read here, might be interesting to give it a listen. B. E. Eide |
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