+ IMPOSSIBLE 1970 S AFRICA "ASTRA" FREEDOMS CHILDREN ACID FLOYD PROG PSYCH ROCK

$

1,025

 .

• MEGA-RARITY! 
• ORIGINAL 1970 SOUTH AFRICAN PARLOPHONE 
• FIRST PRESS ..|/\|...............................................|/\|..
• FREEDOM'S  CHILDREN
• "ASTRA"
• ..|/\|...............................................|/\|..
• SOUTH AFRICA - PARLOPHONE - PCS J(D) Stereophonic
  

1. INCREDIBLY SCARCE !!!
2. 1970 PARLOPHONE
3. Full LP, CLICK ON IMAGE BELOW

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   [isdntekvideo] SOUTH AFRICAN FIRST PRESS
4. LAMINATED GATEFOLD!
   

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2. Near impossible to locate perfect ~~  Yet, here's a final collection copy understanding the unlikelihood ever finding one better 
   
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4. If ever there was a rock band around which a legend was created, then Freedom's Children were that band. Were they simply a broken-hearted horde writing psychedelic love songs? Were they galactic flyers in tune with astral days? Or were Freedom's Children just one of the best rock bands the world had NEVER heard, or is it appropriate to say categorically that Freedom's Children were the ones' who got-away....An ironic suggestion, perhaps, but one with a lot of truth in it. That the circumstances surrounding "Freedom's Children" existence played against them does not detract from the fact that the original group was breaking.
   
   In contrast to the back then hit parade sounds of The Beatles, The Beach Boys and The Monkees, alternative creativeness by likes of The Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane and Pink Floyd were producing albums marked by experimental music styles (termed acid rock or astral music) were capturing universal attention.
   
   In 1966, Ramsay Mackay and Colin Pratley had teamed up in S. Africa to experiment with their music ideas. In Cape Town they met Ken E Henson, who had been playing blues with Leeman Ltd., and together with Jimmy Thompson, of the same band, they then began to perform under a new name; Freedom's Children. Their sound: acid-astral rock.
   
   South Africans had not been prepared for this group. The group created controversy and newspaper headlines, in every small South African town they performed, and some towns banned them. But to those who understood the underground rock scene, Freedom's Children provided an artistic break with conventional thinking and music ideas.
   
   The mighty guitarist, Julian Laxton came aboard in 1968 and Harry Poulos joined on keyboards. Freedom's Children set for England but, perhaps for the reason that the group was from South Africa, reflecting politics of apartheid the musicians were refused work permits and so their dream of attracting world acclaim faded.
   While the group returned to South Africa disillusioned, they began work on the recording of the 'Astra' album providing the magic of a classic psychedelic "acid"-rock album. There are dramatic climaxes, socio-philosophical lyrics, hard, pulsating rhythms, blistering lead guitar solos, sense-riveting sound-effects and soaring vocals on level with any of the eventual 'greats'
   
   A limited number of the album were  pressed on S.African EMI/ Parlophone initially, and though the record was snapped up by their fans, the tragedy was that a fire at the EMI/Parlophone Warehouse destroyed the 'Astra' original master tapes ...try as they who might, further pressings (reissues) were impossible to produce, just couldn't replicate the audio depth and layers originally recorded,as on this ultra-rare 1970 orig.
   South Africa's "Heavies" FREEDOMS' CHILDREN
5. 
   Take a listen to 'Astra', their tremendous LP. The words and music were penned by Freedom poet bass guitarist, tall, long-haired Ramsay Mackay. Their sound - it's called "astrological rock" - is unique. It is really a pamphlet of our times. A colorful picture painted with sounds.                 CONDITION:
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7. The cover:  rated: VG+(+) or better, remarkably only a couple places of outer lamination peel - which is upper level for the nor5mally delicate gatefold normally IF found at all would be well worn by now some 55 years ago and unobtainable the released only in South Africa. All said very very lucky to find an original still this strong, mindfully!
8. Graphics are as colorful as 1970.. has no split seams, no writing, and no delete marks. Overall a great keeper copy of a world class artifact, arguably on level with any early 70(s) Pink Floyd or similar style.

1. The vinyl: Rated: EX (excellent) and better (!) 
2. Visibly looks very clean, reflective shiny/glossy handled carefully and Plays HIGHLY enjoyable throughout. Both South African PARLOPHONE labels are clean,no writing or misuse