Outside of Holland
and hardcore collecting circles these guys are all but unknown, which is
ashamed given they were quite a talented outfit.
Ironically,
while I was living in Belgium in the late 1970s I could have picked up
copies of this LP (and their other two studio sets) for about $5 - $7 a
pop. Unfortunately my money went to bands like The Doobie Brothers and
Peter Framption ... what was I thinking?
Group
1850 (I gather the Dutch spelling is Groep 1850), morphed out of The
Hague-based beat band The Klits (yes it was slang for clitoris).
The original line up consisted of drummer Beer Klaasse,
singer/keyboardist Peter Sjardin, lead guitarist Daniel van Bergen and bass
player Rob de Rijke (who was quickly replaced by Rudd van Buren.
By
1966 the band was active on the Dutch club circuit, opening for a wide
variety of English and American acts, including The Kinks, Pink Floyd, The
Stones, The Troggs and even The Mothers of Invention. They also scored
a recording contract with Paul Acket's small Yep Records, releasing an
instantly obscure single 'Misty Night'' b/w 'Look Around' (Yep catalog
number 1013).
Their
growing popularity caught the attention of Philip with signed them to a
contract, releasing a pair of psychedelic-flavored singles:
-
1967's 'I Know (La Pensee)' b/w 'I Want More' (Philips catalog number
J333835
-
1967's 'Mother No-Head' b/w 'Ever Ever Green (Philips catalog number
J333901)
Following
the release of their 1968 debut "Agemos Trip To Mother Earth" the
band collapsed. Klaasse, van Bergen and van Buren ended up forming
Boots. Klassee then went on to join Finch. Within a year Sjardin
reformed the band, recruiting a new line up consisting of guitarist Dave
Duba, bassist Dolf Geldolf and drummer Martin van Duynhoven.
Released
by the Dutch DIscofoon label, 1969's "Paradise
Now" sports a sound that's quite different from the
debut. Ditching the hippy-dippy, pop-psych sentiments of the first
album, the sophomore album features a much tougher and darker sound complete
with plenty of pounding guitar (courtesy of Duba). Musically the
results aren't particularly focused, with the band thrashing around in a
mixture of progressive, blues-rock and even Hendrix-inspired psych ('Purple
Sky'). That said, the combination of heavily accented English vocals,
totally nonsensical lyrics (check out ''Friday I'm Free') and the group's
obvious enthusiasm for the material makes it kind of endearing and this one
truly does grow on your the more you play it. While I don't have a
large collection of Dutch music, I'll put this one in my top-5 list.
"Paradise Now" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Paradise
Now (Daniel van Bergen - Peter Sjardin) - 5:22
3.)
Hunger (Daniel van Bergen - Peter Sjardin) - 4:54
4.)
Circle (David Duba - Peter Sjardin) - 1:08
5.) Lonelyness
(David Duba - Daniel. van Bergen - Peter Sjardin) - 2:16
(side
2)
1.) Martin en Peter (instrumental)
(Martin van Duinhoven - Peter Sjardin) - 1:55
2.) ? !
(instrumental) (David Duba - Peter Sjardin) -
3.) Purple
Sky (David Duba - Peter Sjardin) - 10:53
Genre: psych
Rating: ***
(3 stars)
Title: Agemo's
Trip To Mother Earth
Company: Pseudonym
Catalog: VP99.003
Year: 1999
Country/State: Holland
Grade
(cover/record): NM / NM; gatefold
sleeve; 1000 pressing with 3D glassses
Comments: Dutch
pressing
Available: 2
GEMM
catalog ID: 5657
Price: $75.00
Just to
underscore, this is a 1999 reissue by the Dutch Peudonym label. If you
want a copy of the 1969 original (Philips catalog number PY 844083) break
out your checkbook and look elsewhere.
"Agemo's Trip To Mother Earth" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Steel
Sings (Daniel van Bergen - Peter Sjardin) -
2.) Little Fly (Daniel van Bergen - Peter
Sjardin) -
3.)
I Put My Hands On Your Shoulder (Daniel van Bergen - Peter
Sjardin) -
(side
2)
1.) You Did It Too Hard (Daniel van Bergen - Peter Sjardin) -
2.) A Point In
This Life (Daniel van Bergen - Peter Sjardin) -
3.) Refound (Daniel van Bergen - Peter
Sjardin) -
4.) Reborn (Daniel van Bergen - Peter
Sjardin) -
Group 1850 was probably one of the best bands to ever
come out of the Netherlands! Unfortunately though,
with all the other psych giants back in the sixties
coming mainly from America and London flooding the air waves
through out the majority of the decade, the world seems to have
almost completely forgotten this brilliant band.
Unlike most bands outside of the English speaking world,
they weren't held back by language barriers since
they seem to be fluently bilingual, but their sound,
although excellent in every aspect, most likely had
too strong of an underground/garage feel
for most American radio stations to play
and as amazing as they are, even I have to say
that they're no Zeppelin, so they really could have used
more commercial exposure to help them survive.
Also, I have heard that despite how amazing their
first two albums were, their third and final one,
which I still cannot find, was a major let down
and cause many fans to turn away from them...
Nonetheless, this album, as well as their album 'Paradise Now'
are both extremely excellent albums and any lover of
psych of any kind should definitely check them out!
By all rights, the Dutch music ensemble
Group 1850 should hold the same mythic stature that Pink Floyd
obtained. First of all, Group 1850 represent Continental Europe's
first progressive rock band. Their compositions are designed for the
trippy effect, organ overlays, relentless throbbing bass, active
percussion, spacey and phased voices and, best of all, an acidic
guitar tone that uses every bit of studio trickery and tone
affectation available at the time.
Clearly a parallel group to Pink Floyd, Agemo's Trip to Mother
Earth is taken from the same cloth as Saucerful of Secrets.
In retrospect, though, Group 1850's work is more creative which one
may expect from a Continental band without any commercial restraints.
Sure, there are some pure psych moments to be had - but just hearing
the title track should put anyone in awe who can hear this is an
historical perspective. There just flat out wasn't anything
like this in 1968. The fuzz guitar, the trippy voices, the acid
induced phased effects, and the drumming (oh - the drumming). It's a
bona fide masterpiece in the field of psychedelic progressive music.
Paradise Now is possibly even better. Now they've managed to
lose the trendy psychedelic trappings for a truly creative work. There
is a more pervasive ethnic element this time around with wind
instruments and hand percussion. It's amazing how timeless this music
is 30+ years later. Just brilliant.
One would expect that after 5 years, a band would have changed
directions radically. Especially in an era when musical trends changed
with the seasons. Perhaps a fusion album? Hard rock maybe? Pop? But
not Group 1850. Still going after it with their unique brand of
psychedelic progressive music. In fact, Polyandri is more
refined and varied - being a primarily instrumental album. This album
features an array of sounds from complex prog rock compositions to
simple bluesy workouts onto trippy psych organ based excursions
similar to their first 2 LP's. Wonderfully out of touch for 1974!
All 3 of the above are essential for the adventurous European
progressive listener. Group 1850 also had at least 2 live albums
during this period which I have yet to hear.
Agemo's Trip to Mother Earth has been beautifully restored
not only on CD but also on LP with the original gatefold 3D cover and
glasses by the high quality Dutch label Pseudonym. Unfortunately, Paradise
Now exists only as a boot LP and CD (though good quality). Even
worse, the only CD pressing of Polyandri is taken from crackly
vinyl. Let's hope for quality reissues similar to that given to their
debut.
Sjef Oellers
6-April-2001
Agemo's Trip To Mother Earth
Group 1850 is a Dutch band playing 60s psychedelica with elements of
West Coast acid rock and early Pink Floyd. Some parts are a bit dated,
especially the central "trippy" and/or hilarious part in the
10 minute plus "Ï Put My Hand on Your Shoulder". Lots of
"Mother Earth" worshipping and "we should be all
together" declamation in Dutch and terribly accented English and
German! Nevertheless, this is quite an excellent album in the style
mentioned above
One would expect that after 5 years, a band would have changed
directions radically. Especially in an era when musical trends changed
with the seasons. Perhaps a fusion album? Hard rock maybe? Pop? But
not Group 1850. Still going after it with their unique brand of
psychedelic progressive music. In fact, Polyandri is more
refined and varied - being a primarily instrumental album. This album
features an array of sounds from complex prog rock compositions to
simple bluesy workouts onto trippy psych organ based excursions
similar to their first 2 LP's. Wonderfully out of touch for 1974!
All 3 of the above are essential for the adventurous European
progressive listener. Group 1850 also had at least 2 live albums
during this period which I have yet to hear.
Agemo's Trip to Mother Earth has been beautifully restored
not only on CD but also on LP with the original gatefold 3D cover and
glasses by the high quality Dutch label Pseudonym. Unfortunately, Paradise
Now exists only as a boot LP and CD (though good quality). Even
worse, the only CD pressing of Polyandri is taken from crackly
vinyl. Let's hope for quality reissues similar to that given to their
debut.
Sjef Oellers
6-April-2001
Agemo's Trip To Mother Earth
Group 1850 is a Dutch band playing 60s psychedelica with elements of
West Coast acid rock and early Pink Floyd. Some parts are a bit dated,
especially the central "trippy" and/or hilarious part in the
10 minute plus "Ï Put My Hand on Your Shoulder". Lots of
"Mother Earth" worshipping and "we should be all
together" declamation in Dutch and terribly accented English and
German! Nevertheless, this is quite an excellent album in the style
mentioned above.
Groep 1850 emerged from the renowned Dutch group Klits
(short for 'clitoris') from The Hague. The line-up in 1965 consisted of:
Peter Sjardin (vocals), Trevor Dirksen (guitar), Caspar Kiebert (drums),
Chris Zieck (bass) & Jacques de Jong (guitar). On 1st January, 1966, the
group renamed itself into Groep 1850. Their progressive music
immediately revealed that the group was far ahead of its time!
In 1966, the line-up changed to: Peter Sjardin (vocals, flute, organ), Ruud
van Buuren (bass, in 1969 to Livin'
Blues), Daniel van Bergen (guitar & piano), Beer Klaasse (drums,
ex-Kick & Defenders; in 1969 to Q65)
& Rob de Rijke (bass, flute; ex-Subterraneans). In September 1967
they played at the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, opening for the Mothers of
Invention. The LP "Agemo's Trip To Mother Earth" was
the first Dutch concept LP featuring works of poet Hans Wesseling (1968).
In 1968, the group disbanded for almost a year and then chose Amsterdam as
the home base for their reunion. The new line-up consisted of: Peter and
Daniel (who'd played with the Boots
in the meantime) and some new members: Dave Duba (g, ex-Burning Sun),
Dolf Geldof (bass, ex-Burning Sun) and jazz drummer Martin van
Duynhoven (a.o. ex-Hans
Dulfer). From 1971 onwards, Groep 1850 worked on and off.
In 1974 Groep 1850 disbanded once again, after working on the "Orange
Upstairs" project. Two years later, a live LP was released by
the ever-active Peter, with cooperation of Hessel de Vries, Neppy Noya,
Arthur Ebeling (guitar) & Paul van Wageningen (drums).
After a call for autographs through the "Basta" magazine in 1979,
the LP "Paradise Now" (earlier released by V&D) was
re-released. Soon thereafter, Peter formed a new group: S.T.S.
(Sjardin's Terrible Surprise). Line-up: Ella Elbersen (v, to Herman
Brood), Robbie Smit (v, to Herman
Brood), Axel Westerduin (b, ex-Stock, replaced in 1980 Kees
van Vooren, who went to Just Like Eddie), Mike Willis (g, ex-Eyes,
replaced in 1980 Wouter Planteijdt, ex-Door Mekaar, to Herman
Brood) and Wilfred Versnellens (dr). In 1981, the group name was
changed into S.I.X. (Sjardin's Invisible X-factor). In 1982 an LP by Sjardin's
Terrible Surprise was "posthumously" released.
GROEP 1850
1966 Look around/Misty night Yep 1013
1967 I know (La pensee)/I want more Philips JF 333835
Mother nohead/Ever ever green Philips JF 333901
1968 Zero 1850/Frozen mind Philips JF 333973
We love life/Little fly Philips JF 334646
LP Agemo's trip to mother earth Philips PY 844083
1969 Pipeline/ ?
LP Paradise now Diskofoon VD 7063
1970 Don't let it be/Sun is coming Action 2102004
Sun is coming/We change from day to day Intertone
1971 Fire/Have you ever heard Polydor 2050111
1973 LP 1850 live [opnamen 1969] Orange OP 1
1974 Orange Upstairs, first experience Universe
1975 Mother nohead/Fire Philips 6012500
LP Polyandri Rubber RR 1851
1976 LP Live on tour Rubber RR 1852
1979 LP Paradise now [re] Killroy KFA 13058 KL
S.T.S.
1982 LP Live 1 Black Hole VR 22037
In 1974, Groep 1850 performed under the
name of Orange Upstairs ("Oranje boven") and released an
album in the following line-up: Peter Sjardin (v, o), Martin van Duynhoven
(d), Dave Duba (g), Hans Dulfer (sax) and Ed Neumeister (b).
Groep 1850 was formed in The Hague, in November 1964, by Peter
Sjardin. He was, in turn, discovered by Hugo Gordijn when he was playing
with a band called The Klits in the basement of a bowling alley in
Scheveningen. Says Gordijn: "The Klits played funny and
different kind of music, very good in a comical sort of way."
When The Klits decided to work with Hugo as their manager, the
band's name was changed to Groep 1850. Their first gig in March 1966
at the Scheveningen Casino impressed the crowd, the band's name immediately
became known on the underground scene. Sjardin copies members of bands such
as The Move
and The Who by mutilating his keyboard on stage. Their music of that
period is best described as avant-garde rock with psychedelic influences,
and a comparison with The Mothers of Invention would definitely be in
order.
Paul Acket released the first single on his Yep label, entitled, "Misty
Night"; it sounded not unlike Q65
and the Pretty Things. Radio Caroline gave the song lots of
airplay, hence the band garnered even more attention in Holland. As a
result, Hans van Hemert offered the band a contract. At the end of 1967,
"Mother No-Head" was released; it became a hit song. A
little detail: Van Hemert did the vocal part on this one!
This success landed the band their first tour of Germany. Sjardin
remained the only member of the band to stay until the breakup in 1975. At a
certain moment, something happened that caused the collapse of the band.
Jaques Senf, Freddie Haayen, Beer Klaasse, Ruud van Buuren and Dean van
Bergen were invited to join other bands. Beer went on to Q65
and Ruud joined Long Tall
Ernie and the Shakers. Martin van Duynhoven (drums) Dave Duba
(guitar), Dolf Geldof (bass) joined Groep 1850 in their stead, while
Dean van Bergen came back.
The band embarked on a heavy touring schedule; once a month they played
at the Paradiso in Amsterdam. Groep 1850 supported groups like The
Kinks, The Troggs, The Rolling Stones, The Mothers of Invention and Pink
Floyd. Hugo was very much impressed by Zappa. Frank was very gentle, not
as weird as people might have thought he was. In England, Groep 1850
played at the Speakeasy club, promoted by the Apple organisation of The
Beatles. A drug bust organised by the police at that event
unfortunately banned the band from playing in the UK.
What are the original members doing now?
Peter Sjardin lives in a basement somewhere in Amsterdam. Beer Klaasse is
a successful manger at The National Printing company. Dean van Bergen lives
quietly with his dogs at Loosduinen. Martin van Duynhoven is still an active
drummer in the music business.
During their existence, Groep 1850 was always an underground band.
Therefore, expect to pay a lot of money for their original singles and LPs
nowadays.
However, if you're looking just for their music, there's no need to pay
that much anymore: in late 1997, Pseudonym has released the band's
first album on CD. Not only that, but the said CD also contains 13
previously unavailable (on CD) bonus tracks including their entire
collection of singles, originally released between 1966 and 1971, plus two
previously unreleased tracks.
This Dutch
group was one of the earliest Continental European progressive rock bands.
The history of GROUP 1850 (aka GROEP 1850) starts from year 1964 from the
band called THE KLITS. There were several changes in the line-up’s during
the the decade their career lasted, only Peter Sjardin remained as the
permanent member of the band. Their first public performance with the name
GROUP 1850 was in the Scheveiningen Casion in March 1966. Their gigs gave
them attention in the underground scene, and some single releases and radio
airplay in Holland followed. In September 1967 they warmed up MOTHERS OF
INVENTION at the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, and their first longplayer "Agemo's
Trip to Mother Earth" (1968) has been stated as the first Dutch concept
LP.
Acid rock elements are clearly present in their first albums from the end of
1960’s, and PINK FLOYD’s “Saucerful of Secrets” album has surely
been an innovator for them, like to so many other spaced out groups. Their
music isn’t an exact copy of their innovator’s sound though, as there is
a wide spectrum of different styles merged to the band’s music in custom
of psychedelia’s artistic freedom. The overall feeling of the band’s
early music is nonrelaxed but not very aggressive, probably pleasing the
fans of music describings a cosmic journey within one’s mind.
The career of the band continued with both inactive and active periods and
with continuous changes in the personnel. Musically maybe the most important
event was release of the album “Polyandri” in year 1974. Their mostly
instrumental music grew to a larger scope containing strong musical
elements.
In the same year the keymembers of the GROUP 1850 performed with the name
ORANGE UPSTAIRS (Oranje Boven). The released one album with this name and
then changed back to GROUP 1850. The band broke up in 1975, and the members
went to join other bands. The original vinyls of the group’s releases have
reached high prices in the collector’s markets.
Discography:
1966 “Look Around / Misty Night” single, Yep 1013
1967 “I know (La Pensee) / I want more” single, Philips JF 333835
1967 “Mother Nohead / Ever Ever Green” single, Philips JF 333901
1968 “Zero 1850 / Frozen Mind” single, Philips JF 333973
1968 “We Love Life / Little Fly” single, Philips JF 334646
1968 “Agemo's Trip to Mother Earth” LP, Philips PY 844083
1969 “Pipeline”, single
1969 “Paradise Now” LP, Diskofoon VD 7063
1970 “Don't Let It Be / Sun is Coming” single, Action 2102004
1970 “Sun is Coming / We Change from Day to Day” single, Intertone
1971 “Fire / Have You Ever Heard” single, Polydor 2050111
1973 “1850 Live” LP, Orange OP 1
1974 “Orange Upstairs” LP, first experience Universe
1975 “Mother Nohead / Fire” single, Philips 6012500
1975 “Polyandri” LP, Rubber RR 1851
1976 “Live on Tour” LP, Rubber RR 1852
1987 “The Great Single Tracks”
Eetu Pellonpää
Sources:
Agemo's Trip To Mother Earth CD booklet by Pseudonym CDP 1047 DD
http://Rateyourmusic.com
http://www.amazon.com
http://www.last.fm
http://gnosis2000.net
http://www.cduniverse.com
http://www.alexgitlin.com/groep.html
http://www.dutchcharts.nl/read
more
Remarkable
Dutch band which (mainly) sings in English. This is progressive
psychedelia and the 1997 edition is one of the best ever reissues from
a non English speaking world group - the kind of find that spurs one
on to collect psychedelia. Sound quality and production is
excellent - warm, dense and full blooded. There is a hard electric
guitar driven feel to 1 - 5 and a gentle acoustic feel to 6 & 7.
The low point is a spoken interlude in 3 that is far too long. Steel
Sings and the first rate Little Fly are the stand outs. This is genre
classic as it stands but there are 13 bonus tracks of A & B sides
from 66 - 68 that stand comparison with some of the best of the
unsuccessful UK heavy mod-soul bands that drifted into psy - hot
tracks like Look around, Zero and a superb cream pastiche Dream of the
Future. The anglophile Dutch were often better able to compete with
the UK than the rest of Europe and its a mystery to me how this hot
band remain so obscure - except perhaps that the follow up album was a
complete disaster of piffling raga noodling that bears no comparison
to the first.
Great
psychedelic album, that aged very well and stands with the period
masterpieces (Pink Floyd, Soft Machine, Incredible String Band,
Jefferson Airplane, Frank Zappa, etc...). It almost predates Gong in
"You Did It Too Hard". The jam-session track ("I Put My
Hands On Your Shoulder") is just terrific, with backward drum
tapes and a lysergic ambient. The two gemini final tracks are one of
the most weird acoustic psychedelic coming from sixties...
Sonically
they kinda resemble those early Pink Floyd songs that ended up in the
Relics comp, maybe not as catchy (or as good) and songwriting driven
but probably odder and earthier.
wow,some
of the weirdest psyche i've heard in some time .these guys were wacked!
sounds a little hokey in spots but you know something?? they were so
sincere that you just have to lov'em.recommended
Beautiful
Dutch psych album. These guys were obviously influenced by and
listened to a ton of English psych, but were just as great as their
English contemporaries. Really solid all the way around. Superb
musicianship and arrangements. Absolutey love the superb acid guitar
playing on this. My '97 Dutch reissue on the Pseudonym label comes
with 13 extra bonus tracks, many of which are great. 3D cover is very
cool too. If you don't have the glasses though, you're out of luck.
The cd itself is one of the best remastered disks I've heard.
nice
Dutch psychedelica from the 1960's ... It really freaked me out when I
heared some dutch speaking in a couple of songs ... before I actually
did not know they where dutch
Group 1850 is an interesting, if sometimes exasperating, late-'60s Dutch
band who ranks among the most accomplished and original Continental rock
acts of the era, though they made little impression in English-speaking
territories. Starting as a more or less conventional beat band in the
mid-'60s, they had taken a turn for the more psychedelic and bizarre by
1967. Determined to drive into the heart of the psychedelic beast, their
songs (performed in English) are quite eclectic for the era, shifting from
doom-laden tempos with growling vocals to sunny, utopian passages with
breezy harmonies. The group could be roughly labeled as a mixture of the
early Mothers of Invention (whom they supported at a Dutch concert in 1967)
and Pink Floyd without much of a sense of humor; their songs are intriguing
and not without powerful hooks, and the lyrics ambitious (if often
inscrutable), but one's attention tends to wander over the course of an
album, or even during their lengthier songs. Their late-'60s LPs are highly
esteemed by some serious psych/progressive collectors.
Agemo's Trip to Mother Earth was one of the most ambitious psychedelic
albums to emerge from continental Europe in the late '60s. The LP's nominal
concept was, like many early such endeavors, obscure, involving something
like the journey of Agemo from a paradise-like planet to the more chaotic
imperfection of Earth. Musically, the record owes a lot to late-'60s British
psychedelia (particularly of the Pink Floyd school), with hints of the onset
of progressive rock in its less-conventional passages. Although plenty of
melodic shifts, celestial organ, wiggling distorted guitar, harmony vocals,
Gregorian chant-like singing, Mothers of Invention-like horns, beatific
respites (on "Reborn"), and general freakiness entertainingly
convey the exploration of new psychic territory, it ultimately lacks the
lyrical and musical cogency of, say, late-'60s Pink Floyd. At times the bold
weirdness gets self-indulgent, throwing in phased drum soloing, solemnly
intoned spoken female romantic exclamations, and multilingual murmuring. The
album was reissued, in its original sequence and its entirety, as part of
the Group 1850 CD compilation 1967-1968 [Allmusic.com]
This download only contains all 7 tracks from the LP, the 1997 CD release
contained 16 tracks…
Track list;
01 - Steel sings
02 - Little fly
03 - I put my hands on your shoulder
04 - You did it too hard
05 - The point in this life
06 - Refound
07 - Reborn
Group Eighteen
Fifty is an interesting, if sometimes exasperating, late-'60s Dutch band
who ranks among the most accomplished and original Continental rock acts
of the era, though they made little impression in English-speaking
territories. Starting as a more or less conventional beat band in the
mid-'60s, they had taken a turn for the more psychedelic and bizarre by
1967. Determined to drive into the heart of the psychedelic beast, their
songs (performed in English) are quite eclectic for the era, shifting from
doom-laden tempos with growling vocals to sunny, utopian passages with
breezy harmonies. The group could be roughly labeled as a mixture of the
early Mothers of Invention (whom they supported at a Dutch concert in
1967) and Pink Floyd without much of a sense of humor; their songs are
intriguing and not without powerful hooks, and the lyrics ambitious (if
often inscrutable), but one's attention tends to wander over the course of
an album, or even during their lengthier songs. Their late-'60s LPs are
highly esteemed by some serious psych/progressive collectors.
MORE
INFO.... (wiki)
Group 1850 was a
psychedelic rock band from The Netherlands, considered by many to be one
of the finest acid rock acts Europe has ever produced. The band was
founded in 1964 in Hague by the name Klits and renamed Group 1850 in 1966,
when their debut single, Misty Night / Look Around, appeared on the tiny
Yep label. Though few copies were pressed, it established them as one of
Holland's most original bands (alongside the Outsiders and Q65) and they
soon signed to Philips. More singles ensued, in a highly psychedelic vein,
including the brilliant Mother No Head. Their debut album, Agemo's Trip To
Mother Earth, appeared in late 1968. In Holland its sleeve had a 3-D image
on the cover, and came with a pair of 3-D glasses (copies with the glasses
unperforated are especially prized today). The album's concept is
incomprehensible, but its superb songs and musicianship have ensured its
lasting cult reputation, and it has been called the most truly psychedelic
album ever recorded. A UK release (also on Philips) did not help the band
gain a footing outside Holland, and Philips dropped them soon afterwards.
Their next album, Paradise Now, appeared on the Dutch Discofoon label in
1969 and was only marginally less acid-influenced than its predecessor.
The band disbanded soon afterwards, but was sporadically active through
the 1970s. Especially notable was another excellent single, 1971's Fire /
Have You Ever Heard?, which appeared on Polydor (again, with a picture
sleeve).
One of the greatest
psychedelic albums ever released. I don't say that lightly, as I own
around 1000 U.S. and import psychedelic releases from the late 60s
and this one is in my top 20. If you like great fuzz guitar, Pink
Floyd, or just really cool arrangements, then this is it. I first
got it on tape in the early 90's and when this CD came out with tons
of bonus trax I was in heaven. If you want to discover great
hard-to-find psychedelic music, then track this down along wiht
Morgen, Music Emporium, Kak, Aguaturbia, Bokaj Retsiem, Bent Wind,
etc.
Help
other customers find the most helpful reviews
I couldn't agree more with the reviewer from Woodland Hills that
this is one of the all time best psychedelic albums ever! I too have
heard quite a few psychedelic albums over the years, and I decided
to buy this CD just based on reading the reviews here on Amazon, and
wow, am I glad that I got this because it's a masterpiece! I've been
playing guitar myself for over 44 1/2 years, and this has some of
the most psychedelic and awesome fuzz-guitar playing you'll ever
hear! Sure there's some pretty trippy, bizarre, and even strange
things going on during the long track called "I Put My Hands On
Your Shoulder," but the rest of this album, along with a ton of
bonus tracks, makes this CD a great one to have in your collection
if you dig 60's style psychedelic rock. I can't really say that this
sounds like Pink Floyd or any other group, they really are a
combination of so many different sounds and groups it's hard to
categorize them, but I think when fans of Psych music hear this,
they will be blown away, I sure was! Get this CD, it is a true
classic and masterpiece! Glenn Signal Hill,CA
Help
other customers find the most helpful reviews
I bought the cheap "rotation edition" of 2002 and I'm
completely fascinated with this unknown masterpiece of european
psychedelic rock!!! I have a huge collection of psychedelic/prog-rock
and I get this thinking that'll be another interesting cd for a
couple of listenings, but...in the last week I give this a dozen of
enjoyable listenings!!! It's not only the "Agemo" album,
but also (and especially) the bonustracks...Well, "I
Know", "Mother No-Head", "Ever Ever Green",
"Zero", "Frozen Mind" and "We Love
Life" are simply some of the best psychedelic (sometimes
creepy!!!)songs of the late sixties, walking side by side with the
masterpieces of Pink Floyd, Soft Machine and others!!! What GREAT
basslines and
peculiar percussion on "We Love Life"; "Ever Ever
Green" is beautifully ornated with a terrifying chorus and
vibes; "Zero" and "Frozen Mind" are tremendous
songs, with that ufo-like atmosphere, again a full-blown bass lines,
everything in a apocalyptic scenario!!!
This tracks with the "Agemo" album are probably the best
psychedelic music (so fresh today!) to be made in the Continental
Europe in that time!!! Well done, Netherlands!!!!
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Rare dutch psych band that where quite sophisticated and unique.
Many have compared this to early Pink Floyd, but I hear more of a
Mother's of Invention influence if anything. Actually, this band
very much has their own sound but the silliness and heavy
cut-and-paste usage remind a little of zappa. The album itself would
actually warrant four and a half stars, but the Rotation CD version
rates a little lower because of the shoddy packaging. There are many
extra tracks which is nice for the price, however.
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Originally released in 1968, looks to be the Dutch psych band's
first of three albums. To me, it sounded a lot like the first two
Pink Floyd's lp's. Not that I'm complaining, mind you. 'Alemo's
Trip' is a good find. It's noted as being one of the most
accomplished psychedelic works from that era. Couple of the tunes
here that impressed me the most were "Little Fly",
"You Did It Too Hard", "Refound" and most of
this CD reissue's nine bonus tracks I liked as well. Line-up: Peter
Sjardin-flute&vocals, Dave Duba and Daniel VanBerger-guitars,
Dolf Geldof-bass and Martin Duynhoven-drums. A should-have.
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For those listeners who simply can't handle multi-lingual stream of
consciousness lyrical intrusions into the musical hot licks, this CD
should be avoided. For those who don't mind a little Timothy Leary
along with the tunes, this will be just fine. The cover art shows a
large group of individuals across several generations, commune
style, but basically Group 1850 was a five piece, although I suppose
some of those pictured may be significant others doubling as backup
singers, accompanists, etc. The playing is indeed very hot in most
places, but it may take some patience to get there since the chants
are pretty heavy near the beginning of the work.
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Imagine Mothers of Invention mixed with Lee Hazlewood's Cowboy in
Sweden choruses, with drops of Electric Prunes, Pearls Before Swine,
drops of 60's garage psy-rock, a bit of Gong and you almost get what
goes on this record. And for me, one of alltime best songs - Reborn.
I did!
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this is quite a find here. one thing i love about buying psych
albums is the rare, one off recordings from a band you've never
heard of but fall in love with. group 1850 follows a pretty strict
psych diet of fuzzy guitars, loud, tight bass, keyboards (mostly
organ but some harpsichord too i think) and drums. there are very
nice moments of reeds and harmonica (a real treat). the vocals are
done in two part harmonies, very drony but sung well. there are some
weird moments that you almost want to skip, but taken in context,
they're bearable. most of the songs are in the three to four minute
range with one thirteen minute excursion into weirdness. i'd
recommend this one to fans of the usual psych players (floyd, music
emporium, united states) but also to fans of daevid allen's gong.
the only reason this gets four instead of five stars is the complete
lack of liner notes. still a good release with a lot of quality
bonus tracks.
