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Esoteric Recordings is pleased to announce the release of a new re-mastered 2 CD set by legendary cult Danish Progressive Rock band DAY OF PHOENIX, “Mind Funeral – The Recordings 1968 – 1972”. The band first came together in Copenhagen in 1968 with an original line-up of CY NICKLIN (Vocals, Guitar), OLE PREHN (Guitar & Vocals), KARSTEN LYNG (Guitar), JESS STÆHR (Bass) and HENRIK FRIIS (Drums) and recorded one single (a cover version of The Strawbs’ ‘Tell Me’) before fracturing. Cy Nicklin departed and would resurface in the ranks of another fine Danish progressive band, Culpeper’s Orchard and by the time the band came to record their first album Jess Stæhr had also departed to join Burnin’ Red Ivanhoe. He was replaced by ERIK STEDT, whilst vocalist HANS LAURIDSEN also joined the group.
The band’s debut album, WIDE OPEN N-WAY, was recorded in June 1970 in Copenhagen and was produced by former COLOSSEUM bass player TONY REEVES.
The album gained a wider release when issued in the UK early in 1971 on the newly established Greenwich Gramophone label (part of the Chapter 1 Records imprint) with a revised running order. The band’s blend of Progressive and Psychedelic US West Coast rock influences came to the fore on the album’s title track and the lengthy “Mind Funeral” and gained them a wider audience throughout Europe. The album was followed by the release of a European single (‘Deep Within the Storm’ b/w ‘Chicken Skin’) before Erik Stedt died of a drug overdose in 1971.
In 1972 Day of Phoenix entered the studio once more with Tony Reeves as producer to record their second album THE NEIGHBOUR’S SON with Jess Stæhr making an appearance. The album appeared on the CHAPTER 1 label and featured shorter songs, but was another fine work. Despite the excellence of the band, their commercial fortunes failed to improve and sadly Day of Phoenix disbanded soon after. In the coming years their albums would become highly sought after by aficionados of Progressive and Psychedelic rock.
This collection has been newly remastered from the original Chapter 1 Records master tapes and includes four bonus tracks taken from the band’s two singles, with ‘Deep Within the Storm’ and ‘Chicken Skin’ appearing on CD for the first time. “Mind Funeral” is a fine tribute to a unique band.
Tracklist
DISC ONE
WIDE OPEN N-WAY
1. CELLOPHANE #1 CELLOPHANE #2
2. WIDE OPEN N-WAY
3. IF YOU ASK ME
4. MIND FUNERAL
5. TICK-TACK
BONUS TRACKS
6. TELL ME
7. I THINK IT’S GONNA RAIN TODAY
DISC TWO
THE NEIGHBOUR’S SON - EXPANDED VERSION
1. I’M FEELING SO LONELY
2. MAGIC WIND
3. DRIFTING
4. ZOMBIE
5. PARADOX
6. IT’S A LONG WAY
7. TURN ME ON
8. SO WE MEET AGAIN
9. USE YOUR SENSE
10. OUR LOVE HAS ENDED
BONUS TRACKS
11.DEEP WITHIN THE STORM
12. CHICKEN SKIN