LPCDreissues: Looking forward to the past

Originally released in 1971, Eela Craig’s self-titled debut captures the Austrian group at their most adventurous and uncompromising. Its four extended compositions combine heavy organ and electric piano with flute, saxophone, expressive guitar work and jazz-rock improvisation, moving freely between atmospheric psychedelic passages and powerful progressive themes.

Rawer and more exploratory than the band’s later symphonic recordings, the album balances carefully arranged sections with spacious instrumental development and sudden changes of mood. This Garden Of Delights edition adds four early non-LP recordings, including both sides of Eela Craig’s 1974 single, and comes with an extensive 36-page colour booklet.

1. New Born Child – 7:45
2. Selfmade Trip – 10:29
3. A New Way – 7:04
4. Indra Elegy – 11:43

5. Irminsul – 2:10
6. Yggdrasil – 3:40
7. Stories – 4:39
8. Cheese – 4:38