Psychedelic/Space Rock
UK
NEKTAR is probably the most German-like of the Seventies British bands, a fame that owes a lot to the town in which this band was founded (Hamburg) and to their stylistic approach (Assimilated to Krautrock). NEKTAR was formed in 1969 by Allan FREEMAN (keyboards & vocals), Roye ALBRIGHTON (guitars & vocals), Derek MOORE (bass, Mellotron & vocals) and Ron HOWDEN (drums).
Their earliest albums were hard rock that drew heavily from the space-rock and PINK FLOYD styles of the same period. The 70's gave them the occasion to issue some masterpieces, like for example "Remember the Future" (1973) and "Recycled" (1975). Each is a conceptual album that is a nice blend of melodic guitar and keyboards with a vocal story. "Journey To The Centre Of The Eye" is a mindblowing epic with lots of echoplex guitar and dual Mellotrons which is quite in tune with the Krautrock stuff going on around them, yet is definitely British. "Tab in the Ocean" and "Magic is a Child" had shorter songs and were less less satisfying. Fortunately there is a compilation album just called NEKTAR (1976) which has all the best bits of the albums and is highly recommended.
ALBUMS:
2001 -THE PRODIGAL SON
Musicians
- Roye Albrighton / all guitars and vocals
- James Allan Freeman (Taff) / keyboards
- Ray Hardwick / drums & percussion
1. Terminus / Oh my (9:09)
2. Now (6:13)
3. I can't help you (4:50)
4. The drinking man's wine (5:53)
5. Shangri-La (5:32)
6. Salt and vinegar and rhythm and blues (6:18)
7. The prodigal son (6:43)
8. Be tonight (4:00)
9. Day 9 (5:19)
Total Time: 53:37
Look!!
2004 - EVOLUTION
Musicians
- Roye Albrighton / lead vocals, guitars
- Taff Freeman / keyboards, mellotron, backing vocals
- Ron Howden / drums, percussion, backing vocals
- Randy Dembo / bass, backing vocals
Tracks Listing
1. Camouflage to White (7:03)
2. Old Mother Earth (7:41)
3. Child of Mine (6:43)
4. Phazed by the Storm (9:20)
5. Always (7:03)
6. Dancin´ into the Void (8:18)
7. The Debate (9:30)
8. After the Fall (5:37)
Total Time: 61:15
Look!!
2008 - BOOK OF DAYS
Musicians
- Roye Albrighton / lead vocals, guitars
- Ron Howden / drums, vocals
- Desha Dunnahoe / bass, vocals
- Steve Adams / guitars, vocals
- Steve Mattern / Hammond, keyboards
Musicians
- Roye Albrighton / lead vocals, guitars
- Taff Freeman / keyboards, mellotron, backing vocals
- Ron Howden / drums, percussion, backing vocals
- Randy Dembo / bass, backing vocals
1. Camouflage to White (7:03)
2. Old Mother Earth (7:41)
3. Child of Mine (6:43)
4. Phazed by the Storm (9:20)
5. Always (7:03)
6. Dancin´ into the Void (8:18)
7. The Debate (9:30)
8. After the Fall (5:37)
Total Time: 61:15
Look!!
2008 - BOOK OF DAYS
Musicians
- Roye Albrighton / lead vocals, guitars
- Ron Howden / drums, vocals
- Desha Dunnahoe / bass, vocals
- Steve Adams / guitars, vocals
- Steve Mattern / Hammond, keyboards
1. Over Krakatoa (5:07)
2. King of the Deep (8:51)
3. Lamorna (1:28)
4. Doctor Kool (11:10)
5. The Iceman (10:29)
6. Where are you now (10:44)
7. Book of Days (between the lines) (3:27)
8. Book of Days (3:31)
Total Time: 54:47
Look!!
