Last decades saw the renewed interest in NEKTAR who are a creative force even today, the prog rock veterans’ latest studio offering "The Other Side" issued as recently as 2020, yet the British band’s ’70s output remain unprecedented, and criminally underrated, in its concept scope, and albums such as 1972’s "A Tab In The Ocean" still retaining original allure. Unfortunately, video footage from the classic era is rather scarce, and that’s why the 2CD/DVD set “…Sounds Like Swiss” which will see the light of day on October 1st should be cherished and savored by aficionados and novices alike.
To be released on the “Think Like A Key Music” label – the team behind this year’s PATTO collection – the DVD contains an hour-long performance for Swiss TV’s “Kaléidospop” that languished in archives for decades, while CDs feature the programme’s audio portion and a complete soundboard recording from Lausanne’s “Pavilion des Sports”: both shows recorded in 1973. The line-up then consisted of the group’s five original members: the late Roye Allbrighton on guitar and vocals, Derek “Mo” Moore on bass and vocals, Allan “Taff” Freeman on organ and vocals and Ron Howden on drums and percussion, plus their visual effects wiz Mick Brockett. In other words, it’s a must-have item.
These discs comprise quite a curious songs array. Amid a generous selection of material from the ensemble’s first three albums, including the then-fresh “…Sounds Like This” – on whose title the forthcoming release’s title is a pun – there’s “Let It Grow” from the yet-to-be-out "Remember The Future" to make it all even more teasing. And this is how it’s going to look like (read the review):
…Sounds Like Swiss
CD 1:
1. Introduction
2. Journey To The Centre Of The Eye
3. Desolation Valley / Waves
4. A Day In The Life Of A Preacher / Squeeze / Jimi Jam
5. Crying In The Dark / King Of Twilight
6. Let It Grow
7. Odyssee
8. Ron’s On
9. Never, Never, Never
CD 2:
1. 1-2-3-4
2. Do You Believe In Magic?
3. Cast Your Fate
4. A Day In The Life Of A Preacher / Squeeze / Jimi Jam
5. Good Day
6. Desolation Valley / Waves
7. 1-2-3-4
8. Crying In The Dark / King Of Twilight
DVD:
1. Cast Your Fate
2. A Day In The Life Of A Preacher / Squeeze / Jimi Jam
3. Good Day
4. Desolation Valley / Waves
5. 1-2-3-4
6. Crying In The Dark / King Of Twilight
7. Da-Da-Dum
