Mandrake Memorial - Puzzle (1970)

This is Mandrake Memorials last LP and regarded by most listeners as their best album. Collectables reissued "Puzzle" with their lone single as bonus tracks (Collectables COL-0693 /1996). I like the special atmosphere they create on their recordings and "Earthfriend", "Tadpole" or especially the beautiful "Hiding" blow mind. Could have been used as an alternate soundtrack to "2001 - A Space Odyssee".

Tracklist:
- Earthfriend Prelude
- Earthfriend
- Just A Blur (Version 1)
- Hiding
- Just A Blur (Version 2)
- Tadpole
- Kyrie
- Ocean's Daughter
- Volcano Prelude
- Volcano
- Whisper Play
- Bucket Of Air
- Children's Prayer
- Puzzle
- Just A Blur (Version 3)
- Something In The Air (bonus)
- Musical Man (bonus)

Personnel/Discographie:
See here

Get it here (Artwork included)

Listen to Hiding

Mandrake Memorial - Medium (1969)

Mandrake Memorial's second album could have been one of the great records of late sixties psychedelic rock. Could have, because after the incredible opener "Snake Charmer" and the terrific "Witness The End/Celebration" the songs become pretty dull. Whilst the relaxed "Last Number" and the acid-rocking "Smokescreen" keep a good standard the thumbs going down on the remaining numbers. Especially the tedious "After Pascal" and "Cassandra" make you feel that it's time to go to bed. The band was from Philadelphia and this reissue came out on Collectables (Collectables COL-0692 / 1996).

Tracklist:
- Snake Charmer
- Witness The End/Celebration
- Other Side
- Last Number
- After Pascal
- Smokescreen
- Barnaby Plum
- Cassandra

Personnel:
Craig Anderton (gtr, sitar)
Randy Monaco (vcls, bs)
Michael Kac (keyb'ds, vcls)
Kevin Lally (drms)

Band origin:
Philadelphia (Pennsylvania/US)

Discographie:
Albums:
1. The Mandrake Memorial (Poppy 40002) 1968
2. Medium (Poppy 40003) 1969
3. Puzzle (Poppy 40006) 1970

45's:
1. Musical Man/Something In The Air (Poppy 90103) 1969

Get it here (Artwork included)

Listen to Snake Charmer