Nektar - Recycled
	Released: 1975 Label: Bellaphon Cat. No.: 289-09-003 Total Time: 36:40
	Reviewed by: Eric Porter, March 2002 Nektar is a band that flew under my radar for years; I knew of them, but nothing about them. When it was announced that not only would Nektar close the first night of Nearfest 2002, but also would reform with all the original members, it was time to give the band a listen. 1975's Recycled was the bands fourth release and the addition of Larry Fast's synthesizers expanded the band's sound. Side One (tracks 1-7) runs together as one continuous piece of often "recycling" musical themes. The instrumental "Cybernetic Consumption" contains a lot of electronic effects, mixed with more traditional symphonic keyboard sounds. Side Two also has all the tracks bleeding into each other, but I can't really pick up on a concept. "Sao Paulo Sunrise" leads into "Costa Del Sol" with some nice piano work. The symphonic closing of "It's All Over" seems like it would be more in line with the older Nektar sound. The more I listened, the better I connected with the music, but nothing really knocks my socks off here. I find myself on the fence with Nektar, I neither love nor hate what I am hearing. Albrighton's guitar work gets talked about often, but failed to make an impact on me. Most of the tracks are keyboard based, as the addition of Fast possibly reduced Albrighton's role. From researching the band's history, they reinvented their sound a number of times. The early work appears to be more psychedelic, and Albrighton's guitar work apparently takes center stage. I have not given up on the band, as I plan on getting at least one more CD before making a final decision. With their reunion for NEARFest 2002, it should be a true delight for fans. I will put my hand back in the honey jar, but as for Recycled, my first taste of Nektar was not as sweet as I had hoped. [See also Keith's review of the 2004 reissue -ed.] More about Recycled: Track Listing: Recycle (2:44) / Cybernetic Consumption (2:12) / Recycle Countdown (1:53) / Automation Horrorscope (3:02) / Recycling (1:49) / Flight To Reality (1:18) / Unendless Imaginations (4:37) / Sao Paulo Sunrise (3:03) / Costa Del Sol (4:03) / Marvellous Moses (6:35) / It's All Over (5:20) Musicians: Roye Albrighton - guitar, vocals Derek Moore - bass Alan Freeman - keyboards Ron Howden - drums Larry Fast - synthesizers Contact: Website: nektar.us Note: will open new browser window Discography Journey To The Centre Of The Eye (1971/2004) A Tab In The Ocean (1972/2004) Sounds Like This Remember The Future (1973/2004) Sunday Night At London Roundhouse (1974) Down To Earth (1974) Recycled (1975) Magic Is A Child (1977) Live In New York (1977, rec. 1974) More Live Nektar in New York (1978) Thru The Ears Man in the Moon (1980/2002*) Prodigal Son (2001) Sunday Night At London Roundhouse (expanded) (2002) Unidentified Flying Abstract - Live At Chipping Norton 1974 (2002) Greatest Hits Live (2002) Evolution (due Oct 4, 2004) Live In New York 1974 (due Oct 4, 2004) Nektar Live (2002) (DVD)