Where 1971's debut 'Spirit of Love' was of its time and place (conceived in an abandoned caravan in the wilds of Cornwall on the rump of mushrooms and marijuana), former Incredible String Bandolier Clive Palmer helmed his Original Band into even more exotic and esoteric territory when they returned to the studio with producer Ralph McTell and guesting bassist Danny Thompson to make this 'acid folk' ground-breaker.

Tapping into folk balladry and music hall with an enduring purity and economy, its harmonium and clarinet fuelled song-drones take on a mystical and quasi-religious sonority with Eastern flavouring in the home-grown 'dulcitar', the air of serious purpose more compelling by the presence of the melancholic Palmer.

With bonus tracks in the period single 'Blue Morning'/'Bones' plus previously-unreleased contemporary recordings, it's the aural equivalent of dope smoke breezing through a summer's dusk to your tent flap. Followers of nu-folk may gather safely at its font...

****

Review by Peter Muir

***** Out of this world | **** Pretty damn fine |
*** OK, approach with caution unless you are a fan |
** Instant bargain bin fodder | * Ugly. Just ugly