Group 1850 (& related) ~ Netherlands

Group 1850 Live (1969 / 1975)

By all accounts it looked like 1975 was to be a revival year for Group 1850. They reissued their most famous single in 'Mother No-Head', and they released their first studio album in six years with Polyandri. In addition to that, to set the context of who Group 1850 even was, they issued this archival album of 1969 live recordings, arguably at the height of their creative powers. As with any live Group 1850 setting, the focus is more on improvisational jams than simple recreations of past material, thus making the recording essential listening for fans. The highlight here for certain is the lengthy 'Between 18 and 50 Part VII' which captures the band at their freaky best. The final track 'Verandering (Change)' is yet another Peter Sjardin solo effort on his homemade Organiser. It is said this was a home recording tacked on to the end of this Live album. It's this recording that lends credence to the fact that Sjardin's solo album Changes may have been recorded as early as 1969. If it's true, Sjardin was considerably ahead of the pack - as usual. He took the spacey aspects of Pink Floyd's 'Saucerful of Secrets' to its logical extreme - long before anyone else. Overall though, the sound quality itself isn't great - but good enough for an archival album. In a later era, these would have made excellent bonus tracks to any CD reissue. As a standalone LP, it is debatable if it's worth owning by itself.

Ownership: 2019 Pseudonym (CD). Part of the Purple Sky box set. As a bonus, there are also a couple of classic Paradise Now era tracks recorded from a 1973 concert, one of the dormant years of Group 1850. Both are well recorded and makes one pine for a full concert from this era of the band. Acquired in 2019.

8/31/19 (review); 12/8/19 (update)
 

Live On Tour (1976)

Live on Tour represents the last known recordings of the Dutch pioneering progressive rock ensemble Group 1850. The album is presented as a five course meal, though the opening serving does not indicate what is in store for the rest of the dining experience. 'Aperitive' is a solo piece by Peter Sjardin on his Organiser - sounding pretty similar to Sjardin's Changes album that we just spoke about. From there we find Group 1850 in a loose jammy mood. Mostly psychedelic influenced jazzy prog with a bit of a funky feel. This album proved once and for all that Group 1850 had no intention of ever selling out or trying to be relevant. Almost no one was doing music like this at such a late date, especially one with name recognition. They were pioneers at the beginning and they seemed to be on the distant and lonesome trail at the end. Clearly this is not the place to start your Group 1850 exploration. By itself, Live on Tour is a relatively harmless instrumental rock album. In context of the band's history, however, it becomes yet one more essential listen.

2019 Pseudonym (CD). Part of the Purple Sky box set. Both of Group 1850's live albums were the only albums left from their discography to not have been reissued legally until this set came along. In addition to the full album, they also appended three previously unreleased jams from the 1975 tour: 'Friday I'm Free', 'Purple Sky', and '?!'. These three tracks are arguably the greatest songs in their entire canon, so a nice selection for bonus. Acquired in 2019.

10/28/19 (review); 12/6/19 (update)

 

Peter Sjardin - Changes (1969 / 1982)

Group 1850's founder Peter Sjardin released this one album - or tried to anyway - back in 1982, and it couldn't be any more out of time and place if it tried. More on that below. Musically it could be considered an extension of the '?!' track from Paradise Now. Imagine the keyboard work (Sjardin's homemade Organiser) but without a rock band supporting it. Nor much in the way of melody. It's a very experimental work, for fans of hardcore electronic music. Like Klaus Schulze's Irrlicht if looking for comparison. Not an easy listen, but once again demonstrates the forward looking disposition Sjardin always maintained.

As for the date of the recording, it's anyone's guess really. The liner notes from Group 1850's Purple Sky box set states "were said to be made at Sjardin's home in The Hague 1969", which means they don't know for sure, but that's the prevailing theory. For years it was presumed to be from 1978 - and while it doesn't sound modern in the 1978 sense, given that it was Sjardin's own keyboard creation, it's not a stretch to believe either. There's plenty of albums from the late 70s that used primitive electronics. Sjardin himself was mentally far gone in his last 30 years, and now he's no longer alive, so the secret may have gone to the grave with him.

Apparently this album was set for release in 1982 by the Universe label, despite its very non-commercial nature by that late date. It's been said that only 25 test pressings were made. Given the sheer lack of available product (never once been auctioned on ebay, two total ownership on Discogs), it's a believable number.

Ownership: 2019 Pseudonym (CD) Part of the Purple Sky box set. Acquired in 2019. 

12/3/19 (review)

Various 45s, Singles = Mother No-Head (1966-1975 / 2012)

Overview

I'm redoing this post with better formatting - and since more data has emerged considering the new Purple Sky box set.

First let's talk about the availability of these singles and how to obtain them, and then we'll follow these singles chronologically.

The first to market was Pseudonym's fantastic CD reissue of Agemo's Trip to Mother Earth (1997) - which contained no less than 13 bonus tracks. You even get the 3-D cover and glasses!

Second was the individual CD/LP release of the singles (plus demo varieties) known as Mother No-Head (2012).

Third, and the most inconspicuous, is a double CD release called The Golden Years Of Dutch Pop Music (A&B Sides And More) (2017). Not only does this CD contain all their released singles, but it also has reissues of Paradise Now (which already had multiple releases) as well as the very first legit CD reissue of Polyandri.

And now fourth - and the most complete Group 1850 package by far - is the 8 CD Purple Sky box set (2019). Included with all vive of their albums (plus one Sjardin solo work), we also get two full discs of Group 1850 singles. It's a bit misleading though, as many are just mono/stereo variations of each. There are some deviations though, that we will cover below.

1966

Group (native Groep) 1850 were always ahead of their time by at least two years. Peter Sjardin is no doubt one of the creative geniuses of our era, a man with no commercial ambition whatsoever, but one who never lost his mojo until the end of the 70s. The fact 'Misty Night' came out in 1966 demonstrates the point at hand. This track could have easily fit on the Agemo's opus that was to arrive two years later, and it too is a pioneering effort. This is prog psych, before the former term existed and the latter term was just entering the lexicon in regards to music. 'Look Around' is a bit more typical for the era, in a punk garage sort of way. It's still very good for the style.

1967

I'm not quite sure why the psychedelic era had so much infatuation with the French nursery rhyme Frere Jacques*, but 'Mother No-Head' is Group 1850's interpretation. Apparently the name is a bastardization of the Dutch "Vader Jacob" with some free association to English. OOKAAY then. Uncut drugs I presume. In any case, from what I understand this was Group 1850's most successful single. It definitely is a unique variation of the jingle and is quite good. 'Ever, Ever Green' is the most normal song Group 1850 ever did, and the only one I'd probably skip over in their entire oeuvre.

* The German psych band Bokaj Retsiem dedicated their name (Meister Jakob spelled backwards) and their one album to the rhyme.

Another brilliant pair of tracks from these Dutch cosmic travelers, well on their way to blowing minds everywhere.

1968

The pinnacle of Group 1850's singles. 'Little Fly' is the same version as on Agemo's Trip to Mother Earth, and is brilliant. And 'We Love Life' is the perfect encapsulation of Group 1850's ability to consolidate many psychedelic ideas into four and a half minutes.

The second best of Group 1850's singles (after Little Fly / We Love Life), this captures the band at their peak (and probably peak experience if you know what I mean).

1969

While the band were quite active in 1969 - especially considering their best work Paradise Now was released then - there was no formal singles activity. However on the Purple Sky box, two lost recordings emerge, both single edits of tracks found on Paradise Now: 'Friday I'm Free' and 'Purple Sky (part 1)'.

1970

Group 1850 returned in 1970 with 'Don't Let It Be' and 'Sun is Coming', though ironically this would be the only recording to emerge from the band during the year. This would also be the only single left off the Agemo's Trip to Mother Earth CD reissue. And they are not to be missed either. Just two more great tracks (especially 'Don't Let it Be') from Group 1850!

1971

Based on the sheer level of activity, it appears that 1971 was to be a breakout year for Group 1850. But alas it never happened and they more or less broke up for three years afterward.

I think there can be no doubt Arthur Brown was on their mind when they did 'Fire'. It's not just the song title, but also the style. A surprising copycat move from a band who were always innovators. It's still a great track despite this. The highlight here though is 'Have You Ever Heard', which basically consolidated the '?!' track from Paradise Now into a song with lyrics. Of course it doesn't have the long trippy organ and guitar parts, but it's great to hear how they recycled some of the themes.

What would appear to be the only original tracks on Purple Sky, are really variations on the above. 'Falling Mountains' is yet another variation of '?!', though to be honest I'm open to hearing any number of variations of this most brilliant song. The other track here is 'Liar' which rhymes with - c'mon guess - right, 'Fire'. It's basically the same tune with different lyrics.

In addition to the above activity in 1971, Group 1850 also recorded '1000 Years Before' and 'Dream of the Future', neither of which were ever released in their day. These two songs - both excellent - first appeared as bonus tracks on the Agemo's reissue. They were also both left off the Golden Years CD.

1975

The only single from Group 1850 than can be ignored, if you already have these two tracks from earlier releases (1967 / 1971 respectively). This appears to be a cash-in job recycling their most known hit 'Mother No-Head', but this time sung in half-French, which is where this single was released (and as we learn from the Purple Sky box, it was recorded way back in 1967). 'Fire' is the exact same as the 1971 single. By 1975, Group 1850 were barely a cohesive entity anyway, though they recovered to release the excellent Polyandri and Live On Tour albums. After this, Sjardin basically imploded with inane attempts to stay relevant in the marketplace throughout the late 70s and early 80s. He ultimately became a recluse for some 30 odd years, and passed away in 2015 at the age of 68.

Ownership: 2019 Pseudonym (CD) as part of an 8 CD box set called Purple Sky. Acquired in 2019.

9/1/19 (review)

Polyandri (1975)

One would expect that after from years on from Paradise Now, a band would have changed directions radically. Especially in an era when musical trends changed with the seasons. Perhaps a fusion album? Hard rock maybe? Pop? But not Group 1850. Still going after it with their unique brand of psychedelic progressive music. In fact, Polyandri is more refined and varied while still being a primarily instrumental album . This album features an array of sounds from complex progressive rock compositions to simple bluesy workouts and onto trippy psych organ based excursions similar to their first two LP's. Wonderfully out of touch for 1974!

To talk about the date: There's no date anywhere on the LP except a mention in the insert of a recording time of January, 1974. By deduction, one could conclude this was released in 1974. However, the Purple Sky Box states: (legal troubles with the studio) "...Eventually some kind of settlement was reached and the album was released in November 1975 on Rubber Records, a label formed by Sjardin with a couple of business partners." This would explain the large gap in time. And settles the matter unless other data emerges to the contrary.

Ownership: 1975 Rubber (LP). Fold open cover. Acquired in 2011.

2019 Pseudonym (CD) as part of an 8 CD box set called Purple Sky. Acquired in 2019.

First copy: Twilight Tone (CD). bootleg. Acquired in 1995.

1995; 1/22/01; 12/29/11; 12/26/17 (review); 8/11/19 (update)

 

Agemo’s Trip to Mother Earth (1968)

---1/22/01

By all rights, the Dutch music ensemble Group 1850 should hold the same mythic stature that Pink Floyd obtained. First of all, Group 1850 represent Continental Europe's first progressive rock band. Their compositions are designed for the tripped-out effect: Organ overlays, relentless throbbing bass, active percussion, spacey / phased voices and, best of all, an acidic guitar tone that uses every bit of studio trickery and tone affectation available at the time.

Clearly a parallel group to Pink Floyd, Agemo's Trip to Mother Earth is taken from the same cloth as Saucerful of Secrets. In retrospect though, Group 1850's work is more creative - which one may expect from a Continental band without any commercial restraints. Sure, there are some pure psychedelic moments to be had - but just hearing the title track (technically titled 'I Put My Hands on Your Shoulder') should put anyone in awe who can hear this from an historical perspective. There just flat out wasn't anything like this in 1968 . The fuzz guitar, the trippy voices, the acid induced phased effects, and the drumming (oh my - the drumming). It's a true masterpiece in the field of psychedelic progressive music.

Ownership:

1999 Pseudonym (LP). Gatefold cover with 3D image and glasses. Acquired in 1999.

2019 Pseudonym (CD) Part of an 8xCD box set called Purple Sky. Acquired in 2019.

First copy: 199? SPM (CD). Acquired in 1992.

1992; 1/22/01 (review); 6/10/12; 2009; 12/22/17

Paradise Now (1969)

Wow. The first three tracks are psychedelic songwriting at its best. Trippy droned-out voices, acid wah-wah guitar, psychedelic organ, pounding bass, active rhythms and memorable melodies round out the opening of Paradise Now - Group 1850's second album, and a work of pure genius. 'Friday I'm Free' is my pick for the ultimate late 1960's psychedelic song . This is followed by three short incidental psychedelic interludes, whose placement is perfect and sets up the album's masterpiece - the appropriately named '?!'. Perhaps in today's lingo they would name the track 'WTF?!'. This instrumental journey into the netherworld of your mind is highlighted by some of the most incredible organ sounds you've ever encountered. 11 minute closer 'Purple Sky' shows Group 1850 paying homage to the blues psych of Jimi Hendrix, but tripped out Amsterdam coffee shop style.

A stunning work of psychedelic music, that makes you pine for more of it. If only there was more of it.

At least one well known collector on RYM says it's his favorite album ever. That's outstanding. I'll say top 25 for me. An amazing piece of music.

Ownership: 

1969 Discofoon (LP). Single sleeve with flapback cover. Can you believe this album was released by a department store (Vroom & Dreesman)? It blows my mind to even dream of albums like this coming out from, oh I dunno... say... Montgomery Ward. It's impossible to fathom! Incidentally the store is still going strong today, but it's been many years since they were in the music business. Acquired in 2012.

2019 Pseudonym (CD) Part of an 8xCD box set called Purple Sky. Acquired in 2019.

First copy: 1991 Free (CD). Acquired in 1993.

1993; 1/17/01; 2009; 8/21/12 (review); 12/21/17; 7/18/19

8/21/12 (new entry)