LPCDreissues: Looking forward to the past

Hurdy Gurdy’s only studio album is one of the great Danish heavy-psych records of the early 1970s. Recorded in England after the band had spent time on the British live circuit, the album has a raw trio sound built around Claus Bøhling’s heavy guitar work, Jens Marqvard Otzen’s bass and Torben Forne’s drumming. The result is loud, loose and atmospheric, with the band moving between hard rock, bluesy psychedelic jams and more exotic textures.

The original album is especially strong on long, driving tracks such as Ride On, The Giant, Peaceful Open Space and Lost In The Jungle, while Spaceman adds one of its strangest, most psychedelic moments. This Sun King LP reissue comes in a gatefold sleeve on 180 gram vinyl and adds three bonus tracks: Year Zero Now, Improv and Chain Me Down.

1. Ride On – 5:09
2. The Giant – 5:00
3. Tell Me Your Name – 4:28
4. Peaceful Open Space – 5:20
5. Year Zero Now (bonus track) – 3:05
6. Improv (bonus track) – 4:36

1. Babels Tower – 3:16
2. Spaceman – 4:22
3. Lost In The Jungle (extended version) – 10:00
4. You Can't Go Backwards – 4:02
5. Chain Me Down (bonus track) – 5:41