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DJ Supply

Title - 'The Other Side'
Artist - Nektar

For those not in the know, Nektar (which is German for Nectar) is an English progressive rock band originally based in Germany.

Throughout the 1970s, Nektar released a series of acclaimed albums, scoring chart success in Germany (where the British band was based) and later in the USA (where the band relocated).

Following the passing of original guitarist / vocalist Roye Albrighton in 2016, fellow founder members Derek “Mo” Moore (bass, vocals), Ron Howden (drums, vocals) and Mick Brockett (lyrics, visual conceptions) reunited along with Randy Dembo (bass, 12-string guitar), Ryche Chlanda (guitar, vocals) and Kendall Scott (keyboards) to begin work on a new album.

Thus, Esoteric Antenna along with Cherry Red Records UK have just released the rather stunning new studio album by the legendary band Nektar, The Other Side.

Ryche Chlanda originally recorded with Nektar in 1978, and for The Other Side the band updated some of those ideas which evolved in the basement of Mo Moore’s house in Chatham, New Jersey. Ron Howden, Mo and Ryche collaborated on much of the music heard on the album.

Furthermore, the 1978 unrecorded song ‘Skypilot’ has evolved into ‘Skywriter’ in 2020 and is featured here also.

1. 'I'm on Fire'
2. 'Skywriter'
3. 'Love Is / the Other Side'
4. 'The Light Beyond'
5. 'Look Thru Me'
6. 'Y Can't I B More Like U' (2020)
7. 'Drifting'
8. 'Devil's Door'

‘I’m On Fire’ is the musical adaptation of a poem written by Mo for his soon-to-be wife, Nicki, during that same time period of 1978 with the closing track, ‘Devil’s Door’, having originally been performed live in 1974, but never featured on any Nektar album.

Updated and recorded for this album, the song features the presence of the late Roye Albrighton on the introduction to the track, whose wonderful guitar part was taken from a live soundboard recording made in 1974.

Kendall Scott’s distinctive and versatile keyboard presence has enhanced this considerably, whilst Randy Dembo, who originally joined Nektar in 2004, brings a uniting presence on 12-string and bass guitars, rounding out the instrumental arrangements.

Ron Howden has been a continual driving force of the band, weathering all versions of Nektar since its conception in 1969. With Mick Brockett now back in the fold (with his visual concepts and ideas as an essential part of the band making the music and light theatre a reality).

Having taken to Kickstarter to get the proposed album some traction, the band explained their reasoning as a to why they chose to do just that.

"The reason we chose Kickstarter is to generate the necessary funds and freedom to do this album in a suitable manner without a record company. We would like to release a CD, a DVD on the "Making of the New Album" where we showcase our writing and tweaking of the music."

"A double-vinyl album, all with excellent artwork by our friend and collaborator, Helmut Wenske, the original artist in the tradition of classic Nektar, is another thing we would like to do."

"After the album is released in 2020, we will make a Blu-Ray/DVD with the light show so you, our fans, can have music and visuals that you can take home with you."

Simply put, The Other Side is a stunning album from a legendary band and each track is as amazing as you could only hope them to be.

A real return to form, if you will, the whole album is filled with amazingly tasty jam sessions, chock loads of wickedly soothing, and delicious tempo changes and chord progressions, and even has some rather ripping guitar moments and keyboard silos too!

Lest we forget the '70s-esque, hippyish lyrics that get brought forth too, of course! Trust me when I say that The Other Side is as good as anything Nektar have done before -- and yes, I know, that's saying something, but this album backs that up in spades!

Official CD Purchase Link

www.esotericrecordings.com

www.CherryRed.co.uk





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