Esoteric Recordings is proud to announce the release of a new expanded and re-mastered 2 CD edition of the classic album “Alchemy” by THIRD EAR BAND.

One of the first releases on EMI’s progressive rock label, Harvest in July 1969, “Alchemy” was the debut album by THIRD EAR BAND. One of the earliest signings to Harvest, the band was formed in 1968 around a nucleus of GLEN SWEENEY (percussion), PAUL MINNS (Oboe), RICHARD COFF (Violin, Viola) and MEL DAVIS (cello). Third Ear Band were unique in their exploration of exotic baroque music fused with experimental rock. Signing to Blackhill Enterprises in 1969, the quartet opened for many of the legendary Hyde Park free concerts by Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones and Blind Faith.

“Alchemy” is regarded as one of the most striking and original works of the era with its unique gothic improvisational music and this new expanded Esoteric Recordings two disc edition features the original album, re-mastered from the original Harvest master tapes, along with ten bonus tracks which include a rare BBC session for John Peel’s TOP GEAR programme from July 1969, along with three early demos recorded in 1968 and five previously unreleased tracks recorded at Abbey Road studios in 1969. The set also includes a booklet with new essay by Third Ear Band archivist and biographer Luca Ferrari.

DISC ONE
ALCHEMY RE-MASTERED
1. MOSAIC
2. GHETTO RAGA
3. DRUID ONE
4. STONE CIRCLE
5. EGYPTIAN BOOK OF THE DEAD
6. AREA THREE
7. DRAGON LINES
8. LARK RISE
BONUS TRACKS
9. HYDE PARK RAGA (BBC SESSION – JULY
1969) (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)
10.DRUID ONE (BBC SESSION – JULY
1969) (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)

DISC TWO
ADDITIONAL RECORDINGS:
1. COSMIC TRIP (1968 RECORDING)
2. JASON’S TRIP (1968 RECORDING)
3. DEVIL’S WEED (1968 RECORDING)
4. RAGA NO. 1 (MONO)
5. UNITY
(RECORDED AT ABBEY ROAD STUDIOS –
24TH JANUARY 1969)
(PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)
6. THE SEA
7. DRUID
8. HYDE PARK RAGA
(RECORDED AT ABBEY ROAD STUDIOS –
12TH SEPTEMBER 1969)
(PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)