Vegan Caravan

Superb 21 track, 2 CD anthology of one of the most innovative, progressive bands of the late sixties/early seventies and leading lights of the famous Canterbury scene. Features a chronological guide to their career from the first album through to their latest work…

Influenced by artists as diverse as Django Reinhardt and Daft Punk, Caravan Palace is the self-titled debut album from the French six-piece that combines big-band swing and Gypsy jazz with modern electro and hip-hop beats. Produced by Loïc Barrouk, the 2008 release includes the singles "Jolie Coquine" and "Suzy".

For their first album, Caravan was surprisingly strong. While steeped in the same British psychedelia that informed bands such as Love Children, Pink Floyd, and Tomorrow, Caravan relates a freedom of spirit and mischief along the lines of Giles, Giles & Fripp or Gong. The band's roots can be traced to a British blue-eyed soul combo called the Wilde Flowers. Among the luminaries to have passed through this Caravan precursor were Robert Wyatt, Kevin Ayers, and Hugh Hopper and Brian Hopper (pre-Soft Machine, naturally). By the spring of 1968, Caravan had settled nicely into a quartet consisting of Pye Hastings (guitar/bass/vocals), Richard Coughlan (drums), David Sinclair (organ/vocals), and Richard Sinclair (bass/guitar/vocals). Inspired by the notoriety and acclaim that Soft Machine encountered during the burgeoning days of London's underground scene, Caravan began a residency at the Middle Earth club. Additionally, the band was shopping a homemade demo tape around to local record companies.

Founded by former Wilde Flowers members David Sinclair, Richard Sinclair, Pye Hastings and Richard Coughlan, Caravan rose to success over the years from 1968 into the 70 s. This English band from Canterbury blended Psychedelic Rock with Jazz to create their distinctive sound. Caravan were the first British band to sign for American record label Verve and released their debut album Caravan. After the closure of Verves rock and pop division, Caravan moved to Decca records and released If I Could Do It All Again, I d Do It All Over You in 1970. After the third album release, David Sinclair left the group and was replaced by Steve Miller…

This album features three complete John Peel sessions recorded in 1975, 1976 and 1977. None of these have ever been released before. This CD is the second volume of Caravan's BBC radio sessions and between them the albums feature every available session that the band performed for Radio1. The John Peel sessions include tracks from the albums, "Cunning Stunts", "Blind Dog At St Dunstans" and "Better By Far". Personnel includes Pye Hastings, Mike Wedgwood, Geoffrey Richardson, Dave Sinclair, Richard Coughlan, Jan Schelhaas and Dek Messecar. The CD is released with the full cooperation of the band and features an eight-page booklet with comprehensive liner notes, band photos and detailed recording information.