Celebrating the rise of prog, folk and blues, Psych! is a brand new compilation from Decca records imprint Deram that charts the then nascent label's venture at the birth of the genres. Covering the years 1966 - 1974, the 64 song 3CD set - or 2LP condensed version - is available from 21st June 2024.
In the heart of the swinging sixties, a seismic shift was underway in the UK music scene, fuelled by the meteoric rise of bands like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. As this new wave of music swept across the nation, Decca Records found itself at a crossroads. Despite having signed Mick Jagger and company in 1963, the label famously passed on The Beatles, a decision it was keen not to repeat. Thus, in September 1966, Decca executives Tony Hall and Hugh Mendl embarked on a bold venture: the creation of Deram Records, a subsidiary dedicated to capturing the pulse of contemporary pop culture while benefiting from the resources of a major label.
Deram's inception marked a departure from the traditional confines of Decca, with a vision to embrace the spirit of independence while leveraging the promotional power of its parent company. With its launch in September 1966, Deram set out to carve its own path, driven by a mission to secure new global licensing deals and champion emerging talent. Eclectic, occasionally esoteric but always interesting - the music press of the day described the new label as a 'hip label for groovy people'.
As the boundaries between Deram and Decca blurred over time, both labels found themselves at the forefront of a musical revolution. From the ethereal, far out, sounds of Genesis and Caravan to the symphonic melodies of The Moody Blues - represented here with 'Love & Beauty' - the labels cultivated a diverse roster of artists who pushed the boundaries of conventional music.
'Psych!' then celebrates this extraordinary era in British music that saw an expansion of musical styles that heralded psychedelia and the arrival of progressive rock. Featuring 64 tracks on CD, or 24 on vinyl, it's a glorious lookback, and a real time capsule.
While the set contains some instantly recognisable names such as Caravan, Al Stewart and the Small Faces, there's also some long forgotten, but marvellously seventies' monikered acts, from the ridiculous - Timebox, Aardvark, Johnny Almond Music Machine - to the just plain weird - Crocheted Doughnut Ring.
Musically, it does exactly what it promises, weaving its way from grooving psychedelia - Denny Lane's 'Say You Don't Mind' - to hippy Hammond organs - Curiosity Shoppe 'Baby I Need You' - to juddering time signatures - Egg 'Seven is a Jolly Good Time' and beyond.
Elsewhere there's - bluesy riffage - 'East of Eden 'Northern Hemisphere' - a songbook cover - Black Cat Bones 'Feeling Good' and Baroque harpsichord - Pacific Drift 'Tomorrow Morning Brings'.
A fascinating trawl from a time when musically, anything was possible.
'Psych! is available now.
Deram's inception marked a departure from the traditional confines of Decca, with a vision to embrace the spirit of independence while leveraging the promotional power of its parent company. With its launch in September 1966, Deram set out to carve its own path, driven by a mission to secure new global licensing deals and champion emerging talent. Eclectic, occasionally esoteric but always interesting - the music press of the day described the new label as a 'hip label for groovy people'.
As the boundaries between Deram and Decca blurred over time, both labels found themselves at the forefront of a musical revolution. From the ethereal, far out, sounds of Genesis and Caravan to the symphonic melodies of The Moody Blues - represented here with 'Love & Beauty' - the labels cultivated a diverse roster of artists who pushed the boundaries of conventional music.
'Psych!' then celebrates this extraordinary era in British music that saw an expansion of musical styles that heralded psychedelia and the arrival of progressive rock. Featuring 64 tracks on CD, or 24 on vinyl, it's a glorious lookback, and a real time capsule.
While the set contains some instantly recognisable names such as Caravan, Al Stewart and the Small Faces, there's also some long forgotten, but marvellously seventies' monikered acts, from the ridiculous - Timebox, Aardvark, Johnny Almond Music Machine - to the just plain weird - Crocheted Doughnut Ring.
Musically, it does exactly what it promises, weaving its way from grooving psychedelia - Denny Lane's 'Say You Don't Mind' - to hippy Hammond organs - Curiosity Shoppe 'Baby I Need You' - to juddering time signatures - Egg 'Seven is a Jolly Good Time' and beyond.
Elsewhere there's - bluesy riffage - 'East of Eden 'Northern Hemisphere' - a songbook cover - Black Cat Bones 'Feeling Good' and Baroque harpsichord - Pacific Drift 'Tomorrow Morning Brings'.
A fascinating trawl from a time when musically, anything was possible.
'Psych! is available now.