Gong

Formed in 1969 by Daevid Allen, one of the founding members of Soft Machine, classic albums such as ‘Camembert Electrique’, ‘Flying Teapot’ and ‘You’ established Gong as one of the most unique, innovative and experimental rock groups of the Seventies.

Gong gone punk. "About Time" documents Daevid Allen's 1979 New York trip to partake of the then-happenin' CBGB's scene. The new sound is an odd hybrid of Psychedelia ("Preface"), New Wave ("I Am a Freud") and Punk ("Much Too Old"), with a lyrical sentiment reminiscent of early-'70s Gong ("Jungle Window"). The CD opens with an effects-laden recording of Allen reciting his "trippy" poetry. Some of the compositions, like "I Am a Freud," bleed quirky rhythms and melodies resembling the work of the League of Gentlemen and Talking Heads. "Materialism" and "Strong Woman" feature Allen's glissando guitar, which seems a forerunner to the sound Fripp and Belew employed on their early-'80s King Crimson projects. "Materialism," penned by Laswell, is a standout with its dominating bass driving home the groove…

Downwind (1979). Eagerly awaited re-press for this classic album by Pierre Moerlen's Gong featuring Mike Oldfield, Steve Winwood & Mick Taylor. Booklet with restored artwork, photos & liner notes. By the late 1970s Percussionist Pierre Moerlen had taken over the leadership of Gong and had steered the band away from Psychedelic Space Rock and took the band into a Jazz Rock direction, one in which the band excelled. After recording several albums with Virgin, the band now featured Hansford Rowe on bass, Ross Record on guitar, Benoit Moerlen on vibes and Francois Causse on percussion. Moerlen signed with Arista Records in 1978 and recorded this excellent album partially in Mike Oldfield’s studio. Oldfield guested on the superb lengthy title track with fellow guest Steve Winwood, whilst Mick Taylor appeared on the track "What You Know"…

Downwind (1979). Eagerly awaited re-press for this classic album by Pierre Moerlen's Gong featuring Mike Oldfield, Steve Winwood & Mick Taylor. Booklet with restored artwork, photos & liner notes. By the late 1970s Percussionist Pierre Moerlen had taken over the leadership of Gong and had steered the band away from Psychedelic Space Rock and took the band into a Jazz Rock direction, one in which the band excelled. After recording several albums with Virgin, the band now featured Hansford Rowe on bass, Ross Record on guitar, Benoit Moerlen on vibes and Francois Causse on percussion. Moerlen signed with Arista Records in 1978 and recorded this excellent album partially in Mike Oldfield’s studio. Oldfield guested on the superb lengthy title track with fellow guest Steve Winwood, whilst Mick Taylor appeared on the track "What You Know"…

You Can't Kill Me is the title of an early Gong song from the album Camembert Electrique (1971) where Daevid Allen sang that you can kill the body but not the spirit. In a sense it is also the essence of this new album, to have his spirit live on in the music.
Back in October 2012 when Gong played at the Boerderij in Zoetermeer Allen introduced his band as the new generation of Gong. And shortly before he passed away in March 2015 in a statement published on his website he specifically encouraged the band to continue without him. He always wanted the band to be a collective, not depending on one or more individuals including himself. He had left the band before, in 1975, and after his departure Gong carried on for a few years led by Steve Hillage, Didier Malherbe and Pierre Moerlen…

For the first time ever, Gong's quintessential trilogy comprised of the albums Flying Teapot, Angels Egg and You are newly remastered from the original tapes and gathered together in a lavish EarBook. Maintaining the incredible sound quality and repackaging of 2015's critically acclaimed Camembert Electrique remaster, each CD album has been digitally remastered by Nick Robbins at SoundMastering Studios. This hardback EarBook edition features exclusive content including 60-pages full of artwork, rare photos, sleeve notes by Mojo magazine's Mark Paytress and more, together with a fourth CD of bonus material, including both sides of Gong's impossible-to-find debut single on BYG Records, released only in France in 1970.
The trilogy is a series of progressive rock concept albums consisting of Flying Teapot, Angel's Egg and You…

The essential Live Etc. sports incredible live versions of material from four Gong albums (Camembert Electrique, Flying Teapot, Angel's Egg, You) and one studio track which had been recorded in 1974 as an attempt at a single. The live material, recorded 1973-1975, consists of performances from several different incarnations of the band, making this an excellent starting point for anyone interested in sampling Gong…

For the first time ever, Gong's quintessential trilogy comprised of the albums Flying Teapot, Angels Egg and You are newly remastered from the original tapes and gathered together in a lavish EarBook. Maintaining the incredible sound quality and repackaging of 2015's critically acclaimed Camembert Electrique remaster, each CD album has been digitally remastered by Nick Robbins at SoundMastering Studios. This hardback EarBook edition features exclusive content including 60-pages full of artwork, rare photos, sleeve notes by Mojo magazine's Mark Paytress and more, together with a fourth CD of bonus material, including both sides of Gong's impossible-to-find debut single on BYG Records, released only in France in 1970.
The trilogy is a series of progressive rock concept albums consisting of Flying Teapot, Angel's Egg and You…

The impressive Downwind is the first release from the band under its new moniker, Pierre Moerlen's Gong, as Moerlen assumes creative control and dominance. The release marks a return to vocals/lyrics, which proves only partially successful. Moerlen's voice is a hit on the opener, the rocking "Aeroplane," and the collective vocals on the fast-paced, percussive "Jin-Go-Lo-Ba" (popularized by Santana) are right on target. His singing is weak, though, on "What You Know" and detracts from the song's quality. Mick Taylor makes his only appearance here with an exceptional guitar solo.