TCCDM Pulls One Out..."Cosmic Sounds" - The Zodiac (1967)

"Cosmic Sounds" - The Zodiac (1967)

     First of all, if the album is on the Elektra label 4000 series, pick it up.  They are almost bullet-proof buys.  And that's exactly what I did.  "Cosmic Sounds" is a concept about the astrological signs wrapped up and bowed in a dreamy, atmospheric "Summer of Love" piece of trippiness.  This was 1967 after all when everybody was starting to get their hippie psych groove on.   A cash-in album, perhaps, but the very best kind.  This exploito square is faithfully delivered in primo satisfying fashion.  Nothing cheap or short shrift.  Zodiac's "Cosmic Sounds" is really good and an endearing snapshot of the times.

The music was written by electronic pioneer, Mort Garson and performed by several members of The Wrecking Crew.  The album is mystical psychedelia, with a variety of instruments contributing to and floating above some very early Moog.  There is a spoken voice, with a Jim Morrison vibe briefly sharing freeform ideas for each zodiac sign.  It's trippy, strange, and not unpleasant.  It's very cool and kitschy all at the same time.  "The record's groovy, baby.  Yeeeah!"

"Cosmic Sounds" - The Zodiac (back)

Favorites include:
"Aries - The Fire-Fighter"
"Virgo - The Perpetual Perfectionist"
"Capricorn - The Uncapricious Climber"
"Cancer - The Moon Child"

     "Cosmic Sounds" was found at The Record Ship not in the new arrivals, but the last album found in the 'Z' bin.  It is a beautiful original mono copy with the original Elektra sleeve.  and an entrancing square to add to any psych collection.  On the back cover in pink is the warning..." MUST BE PLAYED IN THE DARK"...and my OCD compels me NOT to do otherwise.

Elektra sleeve

Elektra label

Cat #
EKL-4009
SIDE 1  DEADWAX
EKL 4009A  (A)
SIDE 2  DEADWAX
EKL 4009B  (A)

"Virgo - The Perpetual Perfectionist" - The Zodiac / "Cosmic Sounds" (1967)

TRACKLIST:
A1  "Aries - The Fire-Fighter" 3:17
A2  "Taurus - The Voluptuary" 3:38
A3  "Gemini - The Cool Eye" 2:50
A4  "Cancer - The Moon Child" 3:27
A5  "Leo - The Lord Of Lights" 2:30
A6  "Virgo - The Perpetual Perfectionist" 3:05
B1  "Libra - The Flower Child" 3:28
B2  "Scorpio - The Passionate Hero" 2:51
B3  "Sagittarius - The Versatile Daredevil" 2:06
B4  "Capricorn - The Uncapricious Climber" 3:30
B5  "Aquarius - The Lover Of Life" 3:45
B6  "Pisces - The Peace Piper" 3:19

PERSONEL:
Cyrus Faryar - narration
Paul Beaver - Moog, other electronic instruments
Emil Richards - exotic percussion
Bud Shank - bass flute
Hal Blaine - drums
Carol Kaye - bass
Mike Melvoin - keyboards
Mort Garson - music writer/arranger

Good stuff.

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