Let's start at the beginning here, for as much as you may think you know the great Alejandro Jodorowsky and his work of art, perhaps you are not that aware of the acorn that led him to his wondrous work, The Holy Mountain.

Indeed, the captivating film, La Montaña Sagrada (aka The Holy Mountain) was actually reissued as The Sacred Mountain thereafter, for some unknown (to me, at least) reason. Anyway, whichever title you wish to extend your hand of welcome to, the film was released in 1973 and is a Mexican-American surreal fantasy film directed by, of course, Alejandro Jodorowsky.

Jodorowsky, who also participated as an actor ('The Alchemist'), composer, set designer and costume designer on the film was such a fan of The Beatles that he actually persuaded Beatles manager Allen Klein (then also of ABKCO Music and Records) to produce the film. Mind you, that partnership had already been lovingly cemented by the fact that Jodorowsky had previously scored an underground phenomenon with 'El Topo' - and the acclaim of both John Lennon and George Harrison thereafter. Indeed, Lennon and Yoko Ono had put up their own production money for the project.

And so now, here in 2015, and Real Gone Music, in association with ABKCO Music & Records, Inc. have released for the very first time ever on vinyl, the original soundtrack to Alejandro Jodorowsky's 1973 masterpiece, The Holy Mountain. Released as both a CD and as this reviewed-here-today deluxe gatefold sleeved double-vinyl LP edition, it features liner notes by New York Times contributor Eric Benson and exclusive quotes from Jodorowsky himself.

'Trance Mutation' begins this expedition into a world focused beyond our sugary domains, with some meditations, some clanging, some highly spiritual chanting, before the rather more jovial-named 'Pissed and Passed Out' brings us the first real wood rhythms. 'Violence of the Lambs' is a delicate wood wind solo which is backed by the bouncier renaissance fare of 'Drink It.' The short, tapered trumpet blare of 'Christs 4 Sale' is followed by 'Cast Out and Pissed,' an Egyptian-sounding ethnic trance. Rounding out Side A of the vinyl are both a charming, rather delightful 'Eye of the Beholder' and then the shorter, tempered trumpet salvo of 'Communion.'

Side B of the first record starts with 'Rainbow Room' which is definitely one of the longest tracks, and most guttural of chants in one. The more melodic piano-fused 'Alchemical Room' is next, and the actual longest track on the whole double album, the methodical 'Tarot Will Teach You/Burn Your Money' brings the first album to a close.

Side C of the double album opens with another long track in the flowing orchestral 'Mattresses, Masks and Pearls,' which is followed by the trumpet solo on 'Isla (The Sapphic Sleep),' the shorter guitar and drum romp 'Psychedelic Weapons,' and then the gentle piano and cello sway of 'Rich Man in a Fishbowl.' This side is then brought to a close with the 'Miniature Plastic Bomb Shop' and then the digital-sounding, futuristic bit-base of 'Fuck Machine.'

Side D of the double album begins with the short Egyptian flare of a flute and rattle combo on 'Baby Snakes,' and backs it with the 1920's dance floor slow waltz of 'A Walk in the Park.' That theme also resonates, albeit at an ever slower pace throughout 'Mice and Massacre,' before a sultry saxophone comes to bear on the lush 'City of Freedom.' The quiet guitar plucking of 'Starfish' is next, with the entire musical extravaganza being rounded out by the sterling orchestral sounds of 'The Climb/Reality (Zoom Back Camera),' and then, finally, the fast-paced, Disco-esque vibe of 'Pantheon Bar (Bees Make Honey…).'

Produced for release by Grammy-winning producer Teri Landi and Mick Gochanour, and mastered from the original tapes by Joe Yannece with lacquer cutting by Carl Rowatti, this first time release on vinyl by ABKCO Records of Alejandro Jodorowsky's The Holy Mountain is one piece of musical art that if you haven't heard it, there can be no better time than now to own this delicious double vinyl set.