Rescued from becoming a mere footnote in the history of alternative rock--jazz-influenced hippy band obsessed with dope imagery, made some interesting experiments with electronics--by the mainstream adoption of trance in the 1990s, Gong were always either ahead of their time or, more usually, out of it altogether. They were touting trippy light shows, ambient chill-out effects and mantra-like beats long before the concept of "New Age" had anything to do with music. And it's not only Ozric Tentacles who can trace their roots back to Gong: both the Orb and System 7 are direct descendants, thanks to their connection with ex-Gong guitarist Steve Hillage. Gong's legacy is handily captured in this lengthy, if chaotically organised two-disc collection dating from 1971-77: the swirling electronics, the hypnotic rhythms, the "space whisper" vocals of Gilli Smyth. Even the parade of Pothead Pixies on their flying teapots can still raise a chuckle (it was surely never meant to be taken seriously). Only the late Floating Anarchy session hits the occasional raw note, but whenever the band kicks in with one of those meditative grooves you know it's time to put the kettle on. --Mark Walker
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