Already some 40 years old, this delightful peace of hippy tosh still elicits fond memories with those who heard it first time round! Made under adverse conditions,(the guitarists were playing up apparently!)this album is a curious mix of styles featuring farfisa organ,feedback-drenched guitars, recorders and vocal harmonies, the best numbers featuring a female vocalist on tracks like the memorable "Ballad of the hip death goddess" (which says it all,really!) "Baroque no.1" is a straight rip-off of Country Joe & the Fish's "Section 43".
When I first heard this album in 1968 it totally blew my young mind. It was just so deep, man. The Hip Death Goddess and Your Head Is Reeling were total green velvet mushrooms in the amethyst igloo of my mind. Or something like that. There will never be another time in music like the late 60's and although this ain't exactly the Beatles or Dylan it is a mighty fine example of the unique multidimensional sponge muffin of its time.
Sound quality is pretty good considering this is no 24-Bit remaster! Also the sleeve leaves a lot to be desired, as there is no information or liner notes. Ultimate Spinach were and shall remain an odd comic/cosmic footnote in the history of psychedelia, all the more odd that they galvanised themselves to make a sort of classic 2nd album in the guise of "Behold and See" before disappearing into the ether after a mediocre 3rd album.
So kick off those sandals, light up a josstick (or something)and try not to crack up too much! Also why do I always get a vision of the hippy teacher in the Beavis & Butthead series whenever I hear the lead male vocalist!
Ego trip
Sacrifice Of The Moon (In Four Parts)Plastic Raincoats
Hung Up Mind
(Ballad Of) The Hip Death Godd
Your Head Is Reeling
Dove In Hawk's Clothing
Baroque #1
Funny Freak Parade
