Peacepipe - Jon Uzonyi's Peacepipe. 1970 USA

Peacepipe were a psychedelic band from the Los Angeles area, operating mostly in the late 60s (they would also take on the name The Human Equation). Dates are fuzzy, but it's generally accepted that their sole released work - a 45 single - was released in 1968 (though no date is affixed) and these archival tapes were recorded for posterity "a couple of years later". Judging by the photos contained within the CD reissue, and the sound of the instruments, I could buy that 1970 is the recording year.

The sound of Peacepipe is primarily of the heavy psych variety. A loud fuzzy guitar dominates, with organ (a Crumar maybe?) and piano accompaniment, and Uzonyi's baritone vocals (no idea where the Elvis comparisons are coming from - mostly you'll hear his voice in the same range as Morrison and Ingle, but not exactly the same - it's very much the American male voice of the late 60s). The songs are rich, dense, and sometimes downright psychotic. Highlights include the strong opener 'Sea of Nightmares', the proggy 'I Can Never Take Your Dreams Away', and the psychedelic dual rompers 'A Bikers Tune' and 'Open Your Mind'. 'Angel of Love' ups the ante further with a killer guitar sound and riff, something akin to Led Zeppelin II, and is a superior hard rock track. The gem of the album has to be 'The Day the War Ended', a track built on their single 'The Sun Won't Shine Forever', and features the type of metal riff one would find on an NWOBHM album 10 years later. The intense vocals and multiple themes and sections recall anyone from Music Emporium to Micah, with a dollop of primo Iron Butterfly. Brilliant.

Overall a must own artifact from the Southern Californian psych scene.

Personal collection
CD: 2002 Shadoks (Germany)

I first heard this album in 2008, and the CD (second scan) was scarce even then (and the Rockadelic LP even rarer (first scan)). Finally I was able to source a decent priced copy 11 years later. The CD includes liner notes (interesting, but not historically detailed), photos (mostly from one show it appears), and 2 bonus tracks, which is the 45 (and not to be missed!).