Kaleidoscope - Egyptian Candy (1970)

The Kaleidoscope were formed in 1966 by David Lindley, Solomon Feldthouse, Chris Darrow, Chester Crill, and John Vidican. Lindley was an experienced performer on a variety of stringed instruments, notably the banjo, and he joined up with Feldthouse to begin performing as a duo, David and Solomon. They later met Chester Crill and invited him to join their band, and by the end of 1966 they'd added Darrow and Vidican, dropped the definite article, and become Kaleidoscope. The group was founded on democratic principles, with no leader, and they began performing live in clubs, winning a recording contract with Epic Records. The first single, 'Please', was released in December 1966, and their first album 'Side Trips' was issued the following year. It was produced by Barry Friedman, and showcased the group’s musical diversity and studio experimentation. It included Feldthouse's 'Egyptian Gardens', Darrow’s 'Keep Your Mind Open', and a cover of Cab Calloway's 'Minnie the Moocher', highlighting their unusual musical tastes and sense of humour. A lot of their music fused Middle-Eastern music with rock in longer pieces such as 'Taxim', and they soon became the go-to band for psychedelic festivals. They performed in many different styles, including rock, blues, folk and jazz, and their non-album singles are a good example of this diversity, which is why I've put together this album. As well as singles and b-sides, we also have a collaboration with Larry Williams and Johnny 'Guitar' Watson, and a couple of songs recorded in 1969 and gifted to Michelangelo Antonioni for use in his 'Zabriskie Point' film. The band split up shortly after supporting Cream on their farewell tour, but they left behind a body of work which sits up there with the very best of West Coast psychedelic music, so enjoy this collection of rare songs from throughout their career.

Track listing

01 Midnight Man (out-take from 'Side Trips' sessions 1967)
02 Why Try (single 1967)
03 Little Orphan Nannie (b-side of 'Why Try')
04 Elevator Man (b-side of 'Please' 1967)
05 Rampe Ranmpe (b-side of 'I Found Out' 1967)
06 Just A Taste (single 1968)
07 Egyptian Candy (previouosly unreleased 1968)
08 Nobody (single with Larry Williams & Johnny 'Guitar' Watson 1967)
09 Hello Trouble (b-side of 'Just A Taste')
10 Love Games (previously unreleased 1968)
11 Stefan (out-take from 'Incredible' sessions 1969)
12 Brother Mary (from Zabreskie Point' soundtrack 1970)
13 Mickey's Tune (from Zabreskie Point' soundtrack 1970)