Although it wasn’t customary for black artists to cross over to lysergically influenced side of things in the late ’60s and early ’70s, there were successful attempts to do so, as THE TENPTATIONS’ “Psychedelic Shack” suggested rather convincingly. However, nobody achieved what would be dubbed “proto-prog” as impressively as Bobby Callender whose three platters, first and foremost “Rainbow” from 1968 are considered stone-cold classics in cult circles. He didn’t seem to release anything after 1972’s “Le Musée De L’Impressionnisme” and all but disappeared from public eye – and yet the veteran returned two years ago to perform his debut live, and now this recording is ready to be out.
Laid down in Orlando in 2023 with symphonic strings and raga instruments, what will be issued as a CD/DVD package on November 14th under the title of “Rainbow: The Anniversary Concert” includes the whole of Callender’s – Robert, not Bobby anymore – evergreen platter as well as a few single cuts. Quite a comeback!
Rainbow: The Anniversary Concert
1. Rainbow
2. Nature
3. Sade Masoch
4. Purple
5. Mother Superior
6. Autumn
7. A Man
8. I’m Just High On Life
9. Symphonic Pictures
10. Spiritual Chant Of Thankfulness
11. The Flow Within Thee
12. Raga Man
13. Little Star
