The Zodiac - Cosmic Sounds (1967)

The dozen signs of the zodiac are explored on this embarrassingly dated "concept" album, which was issued in late 1967 on the experimental indie imprint Elektra Records. The recording replete with equally absurd cover art helped usher in the so-called "Age of Aquarius." Judging by the astrological psychobabble in these grooves, it may well have been the age of excess as well. But what should one expect from an album whose caveat reads "Must Be Played in the Dark"? Cosmic Sounds narrator Cyrus Faryar's considerable musical credits include proficiencies on practically anything stringed, such as the bouzouki, bass, and guitar. His name has even shown up as a vocalist for a plethora of diverse artists including Dave Guard & the Whiskeyhill Singers and the Modern Folk Quartet, as well as guest spots on albums by Mama Cass Elliot, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Buffalo Springfield, Fred Neil, and the surreal comic troupe the Firesign Theater. Faryar animates Jacques Wilson's suitably antiquated '60s hippie prose, depicting the various characteristics unique to the respective 12 zodiac insignias. Backing Faryar's narration is a loosely corralled and completely uncredited aggregate of L.A. session all-stars and Wrecking Crew regulars  Carol Kaye (bass), Hal Blaine (drums), Bud Shank (bass flute), and Emil Richards (percussion) who often perform several different instruments during the same song. Along with some heavy-handed contributions from West Coast Moog synth guru Paul Beaver, the band churns out a series of nondescript ersatz rock melodies  the likes of which might have been scored as incidental music for an episode of Dragnet or from any of the late-'60s hippie/biker flicks such as Psych-Out and Hells Angels on Wheels. The cinematic nature of the musical scores comes from Juilliard-trained pop composer, arranger, and conductorMort Garson whose other credits include collaborations with Doris Day, Glen Campbell, Rod McKuen, and Mel Tormé. Pretensions aside, Cosmic Sounds is a definitive timepiece and nostalgic relic reflecting the heavy marketability in the so-called "counterculture" youth movement of the late '60s. Taken at face value it righteously succeeds.

Track listing

01.  "Aries - The Fire-Fighter"  - 3:17

02.  "Taurus - The Voluptuary"  - 3:38

03.  "Gemini - The Cool Eye"  - 2:50

04.  "Cancer - The Moon Child"  - 3:27

05.  "Leo - The Lord Of Lights"  - 2:30

06.  "Virgo - The Perpetual Perfectionist"  - 3:05

07.  "Libra - The Flower Child"  - 3:28

08.  "Scorpio - The Passionate Hero"  - 2:51

09.  "Sagittarius - The Versatile Daredevil"  - 2:06

10.  "Capricorn - The Uncapricious Climber"  - 3:30

11.  "Aquarius - The Lover Of Life"  - 3:45

12.  "Pisces - The Peace Piper"  - 3:19

Release:  1967

Label:  Elektra

Genre:  Psychedelic Rock

Length:  38:25

Produced:  Alex Hassilev

All lyrics written by:  Jacques Wilson

Music written by:  Mort Garson

Personnel

Cyrus Faryar – narration

Paul Beaver – Moog and other electronic instruments

Emil Richards – exotic percussion

Bud Shank – bass flute

Hal Blaine – drums

Carol Kaye – bass guitar

Mike Melvoin – keyboards