As far as first albums go, NEKTAR‘s 1971 “Journey To The Centre Of The Eye” was exemplary in terms of ambition of a yet-unknown ensemble, but then, being a British band who were working in Germany takes some guts anyway. And there’s a lot of guts in the record that runs as a single, 13-part piece, originally broken in two parts by the turn of a vinyl platter and showing immense depth in the music’s many layers, the layers presently making it almost imperative to remix the album and go for a deluxe treatment of familiar material.
Only, unlike the similarly done "Remember The Future" and "Recycled" sets, the actual value of what will make the six discs of “Journey” which will be out on January 31st, 2025 is rather negligible. Yes, new stereo and surround mixes are fine, but “The Boston Tapes” – the 1970 album that preceded the group’s official debut – saw the light of day a few times already, most notably on the 40th anniversary edition of “Future” and on an expanded reissue of “A Tab In The Ocean” before that. Here it is more in the context of things, though, as is the entire variant of the collective’s 1971 concert in Germany, which was released in portions on the previous version of the ensemble’s initial hattrick. So, apart from those fresh mixes and overall improved sound, there’s nothing new – except the collector’s itch will have to be scratched, of course.
Journey To The Centre Of The Eye
CD 1 – 1971 Stereo Mix Remastered:
1. Prelude
2. Astronaut’s Nightmare
3. Countenance
4. The Nine Lifeless Daughters Of The Sun
5. Warp Oversight
6. The Dream Nebula Part One
7. The Dream Nebula Part Two
8. It’s All In The Mind
9. Burn Out My Eyes
10. Void Of Vision
11. Pupil Of The Eye
12. Look Inside Yourself
13. Death Of The Mind
bonus tracks:
14. Do You Believe In Magic? (A-side)
15. 1-2-3-4. (B-side)
CD 2 – The Boston Tapes, June 1970:
1. New Day Dawning
2. Do You Believe In Magic?
3. Candlelight
4. Good Day
5. The Life I’ve Been Leading
6. Where Did You Go?
7. Sealed With A Kiss
8. Our Love Will Last Forever
CD 3 – New Stereo Mix:
1-12 – as 1-13 on CD 1, with 6 and 7 combined
CD 4 – Live At Bessunger Turnhalle, Darmstadt, Germany – November 13th, 1971 – Pt. 1:
1. Good Day
2. Never Never Never
3. A Tab In The Ocean
4. 1-2-3-4
5. Do You Believe In Magic?
6. New Day Dawning
CD 5 – Live At Bessunger Turnhalle, Darmstadt, Germany – November 13th, 1971 – Pt. 2:
1. Journey To The Centre Of The Eye
2. King Of Twilight (early version)
3. Ron’s On
4. Porcelain Valley (Desolation Valley)
Blu-ray:
* New Stereo Mix
* 5.1 Surround Sound mix
* “Good Day” promo video – versions 1 & 2
