TCCDM Pulls One Out..."A Time Before This" - Julian's Treatment (1970)

"A Time Before This" - Julian's Treatment (1970)

Out of the UK, Julian's Treatment offer-up some early proto-prog with a bit of psych glaze.  "A Time Before Us" is a concept album about an Earth spaceman caught in the middle of a conflict between two space queens from different planets.  (Word up, I could be completely off the mark on the concept.)  The album has an overall vibe that is almost ominous.  The songs are mostly Hammond-driven, courtesy of Julian Jay Savarin with tasty guitar, drums, and occasional flute to help paint the intercosmic landscape.  However, it's the vocals of Cathy Pruden that really bring things back into focus.  Her timbre is reminiscent of vocalists from bands like The United States of America and Aphrodites Child.  

On my first listen, I liked the album, but I didn't love it.  Nothing bad.  I just wasn't feelin' it.  After subsequent spins, my fondness for "A Time Before This" has grown in leaps and bounds.  It's one of those kinds of albums that require active listening.  Grab your headphones.  And I can imagine many who will gravitate to this album right from the get-go.

"A Time Before This" - Julian's Treatment (back)

Favorites include the two closing tracks "Strange Things" and the epic "A Time Before This."  In fact, all of side two is a killer sit-down.  And the floaty "Altarra, Princess of the Blue Women" is a light-psych head breeze and reminded me a little bit of "Some Velvet Morning." 

The album was issued in a gatefold-unipak with the track listings and concept ideas to explain each song.  The album has a small red "sample copy" sticker on the back cover, but the vinyl has no such identification.  It was found on the third day of a recent estate sale for $15.  It was a blind buy, but the album cover was gorgeous.  I have since learned it is a fairly obscure album on this side of the pond.  The creator of the band...Julian Jay Savarin...is also a regarded sci-fi author.

"A Time Before This" - Julian's Treatment (inside gatefold)

Decca Records

Cat #
DL 75224
SIDE A  DEADWAX
7  12468  2  (1 etched)
SIDE B  DEADWAX
7  12469  (1  1 etched)

"Strange Things" - Julian's Treatment / "A Time Before This" (1970)

TRACKS:
A1  "First Oracle" 1:30
A2  "The Coming Of The Mule" 3:26
A3  "Phantom City" 4:20
A4  "The Black Tower" 4:32
A5  "Alda, Dark Lady Of The Outer Worlds" 3:38 
A6  "Altarra, Princess Of The Blue Woman" 2:39
B1  "Second Oracle" 1:07
B2  "Pt. 1 Twin Suns Of Centauri" 2:52
       "Pt. 2 Alkon, Planet Of Centauri" 
B3  "The Terran" 2:37
B4  "Fourth From The Sun" 2:50
B5  "Strange Things" 4:11
B6  "A Time Before This" 8:15

PERSONNEL:
Julian Jay Savarin - keyboards, organ, vocals, writer
John Dover - bass
Del Watkins - guitar, flute
Jack Drummond - drums
Cathy Pruden - vocals

Good stuff.

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