Brave New World

Label: Vertigo
Country: Germany
Released: 1972
Format: Vinyl,LP,Album

Exploring "Impressions On Reading Aldous Huxley"

"Impressions On Reading Aldous Huxley" is the sole studio album by the avant-garde collective Brave New World, released in 1972 on the Vertigo label. Recorded in May of the same year at Windrose-Dumont-Time Studios in Hamburg, Germany, this album serves as a conceptual interpretation of Aldous Huxley's dystopian novel "Brave New World" and his philosophical essays concerning consciousness.

Musical Composition

The album features a diverse array of musical styles, blending elements of medieval folk music, jazz, rock, and electronic experimentation. Instrumentation includes electric and acoustic guitars, various flutes, organ, and percussion, showcasing the talents of each member. John O'Brien-Docker, the producer and composer, plays a key role with his proficiency on guitar and organ. Herb Geller contributes his skills as a legendary jazz saxophonist, incorporating flutes and cor anglais into the mix.

Brave New World employs an eclectic sound palette. Tracks like "Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Epsilon...Ford" present driving progressive rhythms, while "Soma" offers a more psych-ambient experience. The spoken word track "Lenina," featuring Esther Daniels, adds a unique narrative layer to the album. Additionally, the 19-minute piece "The End" serves as an experimental epic, encapsulating the band's avant-garde approach.

Instrumentation and Production

The album's instrumentation is noteworthy, utilizing traditional and unconventional instruments such as recorders, ocarinas, and stylophones. This wide-ranging use of instruments contributes to the album's experimental nature. The sound engineering by Thomas Kukuck captures the diverse sonic textures, providing a cohesive listening experience.

Release and Reception

Released as a gatefold vinyl LP, "Impressions On Reading Aldous Huxley" features the distinctive Vertigo "Swirl" label design. The album's cover art complements the thematic content, visually representing the complex ideas explored within the music. The combination of diverse genres and experimental sounds marks it as an interesting artifact of the early 1970s music scene.

This album was recorded in May 1972 at Windrose-Dumont-Time Studios in Hamburg, Germany.

Tracklist

A1	Prologue Written By – R. Firchow/J. O'Brien-DockerWritten-By – J. O'Brien-DockerWritten-By – R. Firchow	1:02
A2	Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Epsilon...Ford Written-By – J. O'Brien-Docker*	7:55
A3	Lenina Voice [Spoken Voice] – Esther DanielsWritten-By – H. GellerWritten-By – J. O'Brien-Docker	4:27
A4	Soma Written By – J. O'Brien-Docker/H. GellerWritten-By – H. GellerWritten-By – J. O'Brien-Docker	5:22
A5	Malpais Corn Dance Written-By – J. O'Brien-Docker*	3:27
B1	The End Voice [Spoken Voice] – John O'Brien-DockerWritten-By – J. O'Brien-DockerWritten-By – R. Firchow	19:22
B2	Epilogue Written By – R. Firchow/J. O'Brien-DockerWritten-By – J. O'Brien-DockerWritten-By – R. Firchow	0:05

Credits

Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Organ, Percussion, Vocals, Wind Chimes – John O'Brien-Docker
Arranged By [Arrangement] – Herb Geller
Arranged By [Arrangements] – John O'Brien-Docker
Bass, Double Bass [Bass Fiddle], Organ, Piano – Lucas Lindholm
Concept By [Original Idea And Musical Conception] – John O'Brien-Docker
Concert Flute [C Flute], Alto Flute, Bass Flute, Cor Anglais, Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Organ – Herb Geller
Drums, Percussion – Dicky Tarrach
Engineer [Sound Engineer] – Thomas Kukuck
Producer [Produced By] – John O'Brien-Docker
Recorder [Recorders], Flute [Bamboo Flutes, Lotus Flute, Reed Flute], Ocarina [Ocharina], Stylophone, Percussion, Vocals, Advisor [General Advice] – Reinhart Firchow