RARE 1970 ORIG THE MANDRAKE MEMORIAL PUZZLE - LSD SOAKED TRIPPY PSYCH PROG

$

70

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• • 1970 PSYCHEDELIC UNDERGROUND
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  • PUZZLE
  • MANDRAKE MEMORIAL
  • PUZZLE
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  • USA - POPPY RECORDS - 40,006
    FIRST PRINTING and IS COMPLETE:
  WITH DOUBLE SIDED TURNTABLE MAT PHOTO INSERT
  1. DEEPLY FLIPPED-OUT ~ 1970 ACID PROGRESSIVE
  2. Original 1970 first pressing of the famous 3rd and final MANDRAKE MEMORIAL album, highly regarded as their best works ... we don't often list this record, while it's rare and highly collectible the pressing is lo-fi and all copies have a little surface no matter how *clean* appearing ...still very enjoyable, yet one needs to understand the pressing
  3.   Here's a sought after collectible 56 years ago original thick gatefold with trippy psych-art design and including the original printed POPPY label inner sleeve PLUS eye-popping circular insert that can be placed on ones turntable platter and serve as a wild platter mat!
     ....   Along with the Nazz, one of Philadelphia's top bands throughout the late 60's were MANDRAKE MEMORIAL. Prior to "Puzzle," they released two strong rock-psych albums that had a vague Doors influence, mixing keyboards with guitar oriented psychedelia. Puzzle, released in 1969, is an extremely challenging album that is not recommended to those who are into song oriented pop music. It's also a very progressive album that mixes classical/avant garde elements into a dreamy soundscape.
  4. 
     
  5. The album is really a mood-trip, with plenty of strange moments including one track devoted to a subtle choir of children praying while Whisper Play has, you guessed it, whispers amongst a prog-psych backdrop with feedback guitar effect. Randy Monaco sings throughout the album and there is the occasional guitar freakout, one heard at the end of the 9 minute "Bucket of Air." The re-concurring theme... "Just a Blur" is a nice, short trippy piece of string guitar and acid-washes effects in background hinting at a concept.
     
     For the era, the Puzzle album is somewhat long, clocking in at around 50 minutes. The real meat of the album lies within the songs. Earthfriend and Hiding are so ambient and so full of great sound effects that they predate a style of psychedelia that was blatenly lifted throughout the late 80's. Ocean's Daughter is another great, menacing song, a trippy psychedelic tune with studio trickery and light arrangements. The song characterizes the album itself: confused, dark and unsettling on one hand but alluring and full of beauty on the other. Even the album cover art is really weird and demented, featuring a well known painting with chrome plated maggots inching their way up an endless flight of stairs.
  6. While not for everyone, Puzzle shrouds itself in a velvet mystery. It's a totally unique experience within the world of psychedelia sounding completely unfamiliar
  7. 
     - Earthfriend Prelude
     - Earthfriend
     - Just A Blur (Version 1)
     - Hiding
     - Just A Blur (Version 2)
     - Tadpole
     - Kyrie
     - Ocean's Daughter
     - Volcano Prelude
     - Volcano
     - Whisper Play
     - Bucket Of Air
     - Children's Prayer
     - Puzzle
     - Just A Blur (Version 3) Just A blur (version 3)
     
  8.    
  9.   CONDITION:
  10. The cover: rated: near M- the gatefold cover looks very collectible after 56 years. The graphics are all bright and original solid colors = no color fade, no split seams, no bends, no writing anywhere
  1. The vinyl: Rated: to "EX" (excellent) (to M- ) in sunlight shows glossy surface amid real minor soft hair thin scuffs, very faint, pretty clean vinyl surface and both "Poppy" labels are clean with POPPY custom designed inner sleeeve
  2.