Quintessence - Move Into The Light (1971)

In 1969, a Jewish flautist from Australia, Ron Raja Ram Rothfield, arrived in west London’s Ladbroke Grove and placed an ad for musicians in Melody Maker. The ad was answered by vocalist Phil ‘Shiva’ Jones, drummer Jeremy ‘Jake’ Milton, bassist Richard ‘Shambhu’ Vaughan, 16 year old lead guitarist Allan Mostert, and rhythm guitarist Dave ‘Maha Dev’ Codling. Sixteen weeks later, Chris Blackwell of Island Records snapped them up by doubling an offer from Warner Brothers, giving them unlimited studio time, and allowing them full artistic control, including the album sleeves. Their first record 'In Blissful Company' was released the following November, and their reputation grew following a European tour, with their live concerts gaining rave reviews. Band and listeners felt the albums were restrained compared to the concerts, and so this album of out-takes and alternate versions attempts to capture the energy that resulted in their renowned symbiotic live jamming style. Although they used the best studios of the time, they weren't really geared for live recording, with tracks overdubbed in a lengthy process, rhythm tracks first, then solos and vocals afterwards, which means that they hardly ever all played together in the studio. 
Their music was made up of jazz and blues tropes, driving rock, psych, meditation, electronica, drone, choir-like harmonies, and was an often spiritual celebration, unifying mind and body. We start with the one of these spiritual songs 'Move Into The Light', which was the b-side to the band's debut single of 1970 'Notting Hill Gate', followed by the previously unreleased 'Tree Of Life', while the alternate version of 'Only Love (Can Save Us)' is a great find, possibly eclipsing the classic album version. 'Marwa' is based on a six-note Indian raga, and uses harps, piano, cello, flute and tablas, with a dreamy vocal recalling Vedanta story songs. 'Maha Mantra' is the full six minute version, which only appeared as a 90 second snippet on their second album, while 'Sunlit Kitchens' is another previously unreleased song, featuring the band’s poet-lyricist and first manager Stanley Barr reciting over a mantra. 'You Never Stay The Same' is a reworking of 'Vishnu Narain' from their fifth album 'Self', but this time with vocals by composer Dave Codling, and it was used for the b-side of their 1971 single 'Sweet Jesus'. 'Twilight Zones' reappears from the second album, but instead of the meditative version we know, it's here delivered as a Hendrix-style trio, fuzz bass and all, closing this alternative view of a classic 70's psyche/prog band. 

Track listing

01 Move Into The Light (b-side of 'Notting Hill Gate' 1969)
02 Tree Of Life (previously unreleased)
03 Only Love (Can Save Us) (alternate version)
04 Hario Om (full version)
05 Marwa (previously unreleased)
06 Spirits From Another Time (previously unreleased)
07 Maha Mantra (full version)
08 Sunlit Kitchens (previously unreleased)
09 Sweet Jesus (single 1971)
10 You Never Stay The Same (b-side of 'Sweet Jesus')
11 Twilight Zones (alternate heavy version)

P.S. Just found out that Dave Codling died on July 5th, so enjoy this as a tribute to him.