Nektar: Journey to the Centre of the Eye (1971)

Nektar was one of those prog rock bands that people classify as German or Krautrock, when in reality, they were a British band who took residence in Germany. The band consisted of keyboardist Allan “Taff” Freeman, guitarist Roye Allbrighton, bassist Derek “Mo” Moore, and drummer Ron Howden. Journey to the Centre of the Eye is the debut from this band, and I can’t think of a better way for a band to start their career. Basically the album is one 40 minute long song divided in to 13 parts. On this album, the band takes the typical early ’70s British prog rock sound and include lots of electronic effects that were typical of the Krautrock movement of the time. Favorites of mine include “Astronauts Nightmare”, “The Dream Nebula”, and “It’s All in the Mind”. “Warp Oversite” is a real interesting one as it’s nothing but strange electronic effects that make me think of Ash Ra Tempel. This album also has the most amount of Mellotron on any Nektar album (most of their other albums don’t feature any Mellotron) as you can hear on “It’s All in the Mind” and the opening part of “Burn Out My Eyes”. I am certain Journey to the Centre of the Eye was inspired by 2001: A Space Odyssey, especially given the cover of the album looks like it could’ve been a scene from that movie. Great album that combines the best of Krautrock with the British prog sound, although I have found Nektar’s album output rather inconsistent (their following, A Tab in the Ocean is even better, although I thought 1974’s Down to Earth plain sucked, except for the opening song “Astral Man”). Regardless, Journey to the Centre of the Eye is a classic, and if you like early ’70s prog rock, then get this album.
– Allan `Taff` Freeman: Mellotron, piano, organ, vocals
– Roye Allbrighton: guitars and vocals
– Derek `Mo` Moore: Mellotron, bass guitar, and vocals
– Ron Howden: drums
– Keith Walters: static slides
– Mick Brockett: liquid lights