Artist: The Aggregation
Title: Mind Odyssey
Year: 1969 (2008)
Genre: Psychedelic/Jazz Rock
Country: US
Format: MP3 320 Kbps
The only album from the group from Los Angeles (California). The group was formed by students from Long Beach State (now California State University) in 1965. They were one of the many bands that played at Disneyland in Southern California. Upon graduating from Dale University, Burt and Bayard Gregory received a master's degree in sociology, and Leo Potts, Lemoyne Taylor and LeWayne Braun received a bachelor's degree in music. It was a very "educated" group. In the summer of 1967, the guys agreed to play every day at the Disneyland site. The leader of the group Leo Potts used this time to establish the necessary connections in the music circles. He was laughed at, but he sent out free tickets to the band's concerts to local show business figures. And it has borne fruit. Among those who took advantage of the invitation was Lee Hazlewood, Frank and Nancy Sinatra's producer. He liked the group and offered the guys help in recording a single. One side featured Dale Burt's instrumental, which Lee suggested calling "Maharishi" (a version of which was later included on the album as "Change"). Side B features an instrumental arrangement of Donovan's "Sunshine Superman". The single had some success on the East Coast, especially in Boston. Hazlewood immediately decided to start recording the album. He gave the group money to pay for time in a small recording studio, inviting the guys to record whatever they wanted. Since "The Aggregation" were purely instrumental, there was a problem with the vocals, in addition, keyboardist Dale Burt was forced to play bass during the concerts at Disneyland. Another UCLA graduate, Bill Sissoev, took on these responsibilities as a new member of the band. Lyrics were written by Linda O'Hara, who later became the wife of Bayard Gregory. A studio drummer also took part in the recording. Leo and Lemoyne, who were auditioning vocalists, settled on the candidacy of Richard Jones, who, not being an outstanding singer, still suited everyone. "Mind Odyssey" was born in creative disputes and torments. Lee liked the final version of the album very much. He tried his best to promote it, but the distribution company involved in the production and distribution of his label's albums believed that sales would be low and severely limited the release's circulation.
Tracklist:
01. The Lady At The Gate - 4:52
02. Looking For The Tour Guide - 2:14
03. The Lone Windy Tunnel - 6:29
04. Flying Free - 3:11
05. White Light - 2:07
06. In The Garden - 3:06
07. Reflections - 2:59
08. The City Of Toys And Games - 3:28
09. Change - 3:01
10. LIfe's LIght - 6:07
Personnel:
LeWayne Braun (guitar, vocals),
Dale Burt (organ, piano, vocals),
Bayard Gregory (drums, timpani, bongos, tambourine, vocals),
Richard Jones (rhythm guitar, vocals),
Leo Potts (flute, clarinet, saxophone, recorder, kazoo, vocals),
Bill Sissoev (bass, trombone, vocals),
Lemoyne Taylor (flute, clarinet, saxophone, recorder, slide whistle, vocals).