The debut from Frank Zappa's Mothers of Invention was only the second double-LP ever released. Zappa's non-conformist approach resulted in a melange of jazz-inspired avant-garde classicism with elements of doo-wop and pop-psych cynicism. By 1968's We're Only in it For the Money he was seriously lampooning hippie flower power.
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Safe As Milk Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band 1967 [Buddah]
Don Van Vliet (aka Captain Beefheart) is a theatrically-charged blues-rock artist known for making some pretty 'out there' stuff. His first long player is probably as close as he ever came to commercial accessibility, although there are plenty of obtuse moments. 'Electricity' is a fine dose of avant-garde psychedelia. Highly recommended.
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Cauldron Fifty Foot Hose 1968 [Limelight]
One of the more experimental bands to come out of San Francisco, Fifty Foot Hose specialised in jazzy psych using a homemade synthesiser. Creative maestro Cork Marcheschi was the main driving force, joined by couple David (guitar) and Nancy (vocals) Blossom in rounding out the sound. Truly original stuff deserving of its following.
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The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter The Incredible String Band 1968 [Elektra]
British psychedelia folk style. Between them Robin Williamson and Mike Heron play 17 different instruments - including sitar, harpsichord, pan pipe, oud and water harp. Not surprisingly the result is a cacophony of experimental folk that in places sounds somewhat dated today. For the most part, however, this is truly incredible music.
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Gris-Gris Dr. John, The Night Tripper 1968 [Atco]
Legendary debut album from Malcolm John Rebennack Jr (aka Dr. John), best described as a New Orleans-style mix of psych and R&B. His stage show at the time was a sort of theatrical voodoo mardi gras. The album's title refers to a voodoo talisman or good luck charm and pretty well sums up the bizarre gumbo mysticism found here.
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Song Cycle Van Dyke Parks 1968 [Warner]
After being recruited by Brian Wilson to write lyrics for the ill-fated Beach Boys LP SMiLE, Parks released what may be the all-time definitive baroque Americana album. Ragtime, folk, Vaudeville and bluegrass all get a dizzying orchestral pop makeover. Not the easiest album in the world to listen to, but certainly unique.
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Trout Mask Replica Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band 1969 [Straight]
With Frank Zappa at the production helm Captain Beefheart made what is probably one of the most bizarre pieces of avant-garde weirdness ever. There is plenty of screeching 'poetry', tinges of the blues, dissonant psych… in short, it sounds like nothing else. Originally released as a double-LP, this is a totally unique headspace.
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Oar Alexander 'Skip' Spence 1969 [Columbia/Sundazed]
Acid-head Skip Spence started with Jefferson Airplane and was a key member of the legendary Moby Grape. After freaking out with a fire axe in the studio he was institutionalised, eventually emerging to make this one-man-band psych-folk obscurity. The CD release featuring a swag of extra tracks is a pure joy to behold.
