Group 1850 — Polyandri 1975 (Netherlands, Progressive-Jazz Rock)

Group 1850 — Polyandri 1975 (Netherlands, Progressive-Jazz Rock)

I would go as far as saying this is essential if your into Psychedelic music. This Dutch band released three studio albums and this is the final one from 1975. Actually released some 6 years after their last one "Paradise Now" from 1969. So a lot had changed musically over those six years but these guys continue in the same style but this one is the most powerful expression. They went from being a five piece on "Paradise Now" to having up to 13 people helping out although several just played on one track only.
"Jojo" is a short intro track with this cool drum/ bass start as spacey synths create atmosphere then the guitar helps out over top. "Between Eighteen And Fifty" is a top four for me. Sounds echo as drums build. So good! Check out the guitar as he eventually lights up the place. "Flower Garden" is a brief piano vocal piece. "Thousand Years Before" has this dramatic intro, quite powerful. A calm with almost spoken vocals arrive a minute in then it kicks back in. More great guitar 2 minutes in and then it turns experimental to the end.

"Starfighter" opens with sounds that echo as we get another ripping instrumental. "Silver Earring" is a top four for me. Spacey sounds give way to heavy drums and more including flute. Great sound a minute in. Man I could listen to this all day, powerful music with some inventive and prominent flute. The bass is out front too. "Patience" is a trippy tune with piano and guitar standing out although the latter will soon dominate and become the focus. Another excellent song.

"USSR Gossip" opens with a beat as congas, bass and strange sounding vocals join in. A horn joins in as well to this catchy track. I like those keyboards. "Cages" is another top four. Sounds bleep and blip along with the sound of water sloshing around. It turns spacey and drums kick in before 1 1/2 minutes as it builds.The drumming and sound is incredible 3 minutes in. The organ becomes more prominent as we go.

"Avant Les Pericles" opens with keyboards that echo as sax joins in then drums. Dissonant sax with an intense undercurrent of sound. It settles right down at 3 minutes pretty much to the five minute mark when drums and organ kick in. "Pumping Up The Rubber Trees" is my final top four. A guitar led track with passionate vocals. Yes a headbanger.

My kind of music, just a killer Psychedelic album.Review by Mellotron Storm


Tracks:

01. Jojo — 0:00

02. Between Eighteen And Fifty Part: 1850 — 1:34

03. Flower Garden — 4:28

04. Thousand Years Before — 5:00

05. Starfighter — 9:34

06. Silver Earring — 12:01

07. Patience — 16:12

08. U.S.S.R. Gossip — 18:59

09. Cages — 24:01

10. Avant Les Pericles — 29:22

11. Pumping Up The Rubber Trees — 35:39


Personnel:

Peter Sjardin — organ (01, 02, 04-11), piano (01, 04, 07), voice (04, 07, 08, 11), percussion (08), producer
Dolf Geldof — bass (01, 02, 04-09, 11)
Dave Duba — guitar (02, 04, 08)
Martin van Duynhoven — drums (02,