Artist: O.P.M.C.
Album: Amalgamation
Country: Dutch
Genre: Hippy blues-folk
Release: 1970
Quality: FLAC | lossless
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album

O.P.M.C. (Oldest Professional Music Company, as they were living in the famous Amsterdam Red Light District in those days) centered around Barrie Webb and Teun van der Slikke with different line ups during their existence. Other musicians in their recordings feature Frank van Tijn (drums), Peter van der Sande (bass, cello, elctric guitar, keyboards - plus he also did arrangements and production) and Onny Lopulalan (lead guitar), some of them having served in other interesting Dutch bands such as Apartment 1 or Serpentine. Even ex-Outsiders' legends Leendert Busch and Appie Rammers were at once among the O.P.M.C. line up!

Amalgamation"was their first LP, released in 1970 and featuring a mix of psychedelic folk, drugged-out spacy guitar and haunting melodies that some sources have considered to be vaguely reminiscent of Love's Forever Changes.

"These two young men could have had the music world at their feet. If you listen the songs on this OPMC album, it will become apparent to you that they both loved the Beatles, yet they still managed to make their own style of music with “A little help from their friends” · Robbie Dale Robinson (Admiral MBF. Retired)

Originally released in Pink Elephant in 1970, the Wah Wah reissue will come housed in a quality glossy laminated sleeve reproducing the original artwork, remastered sound, bonus tracks and an insert with photos and liner notes. Limited edition of only 500 copies

Tracklist:
A1. Ouverture 7:07
A2. I'll Just Sit Here And Dream 7:25
A3. Balad Of The Sun 3:58
A4. The Head 4:45
B1. Sick And Tired 2:34
B2. Train Thing 1:22
B3. Easter Song 2:30
B4. Cambridge Impressions 3:22
B5.Song For Mariolijn 3:08
B6. Fire Child 3:40

Though this is usually classified as a Dutch rock album by the few collectors who are aware of it, this early-'70s LP in fact seems like a more natural emulation of British (and sometimes American) folk-rock music than many such productions of the era from Continental Europe. In this case, there's a good reason for that, as O.P.M.C. featured the talents of a Scotsman (Barrie Webb), along with those of Teun van der Slikke. The LP is fair, though not outstanding, folk and folk-rock with a moody streak and a stylistic unevenness that almost create the impression of being the work of more than one artist. Sometimes it offers pastoral hippie musings, à la "I'll Just Sit Here and Dream" and "Ballad of the Sun," almost as if they're trying to be a poppier Incredible String Band. "Easter Song," by contrast, sounds like the late-'60s Hollies trying to go a little folkier. Some of the brittle guitar work on "The Head" and "Fire Child" makes it seem not unlikely that Love's Forever Changes could have been something of an influence. Yet more territory is covered by the Creedence Clearwater Revival-flavored blues-country-rock of "Sick and Tired," and the Sonny Terry-like blues harmonica-motored instrumental "Train Thing." It's an undoubtedly diverse effort that lacks distinction more due to its average material than its eclectic scope.