Uncle G’s FUN Music Reviews: Nektar – Time Machine (2013)

Date First Published: Monday, 1 July 2013 – Classic Rock Radio (UK)
Uncle G’s FUN Music Reviews
Spotlight: Nektar – Time Machine (2013 Purple Pyramid)

By: Gary “Uncle G” Brown
GaryBrown@garyunclegbrownarchives.com

“By far the best album we have ever made” – Roye Albrighton

Those who know my personal taste for music are aware that I have always been a fan of Nektar. Not a fanatic to the point of collecting every official release or all the rarities, but a fan nonetheless. In 1973, they released an album that caught my attention, called Nektar – Remember the Future. It didn’t take long for word to get around about how fine an album it was. The recording has been in my collection of music ever since. For various reasons, I concluded it was one of progressive rock’s finest offerings. A concept recording. One thirty-five-minute song with two parts. Wrapped in far-out/eye-catching artwork. A perfect combination of eye candy, words, and music. In my humble opinion, some of progressive rock/metal prog-rock’s crowning achievements are concept recordings. May I present Exhibit A to the jury?

Note: Purple Pyramid just released a 40th Anniversary Edition to Nektar – Remember The Future that is very much worth seeking out. Out a few months now. I gave it a five-star review. Comes with a bonus disc. Available at fine retail establishments and/or wherever good music is sold.

Now there are those of you who are reading this and wondering to themselves about how long Nektar’s been around. Giving details about Nektar’s fourth release gave a clue that the band has been around at least since 1973. That’s forty years ago right there. They’ve been around a lot longer, as a matter of fact, since 1969. The band is from Germany, with members from the UK. Back in the day, these guys were so art-rock (pre-modern day prog) that they gave credit for lights, special effects, and other miscellanea in the band’s line-up. Like a musician, performing for the mind is a Mister Mick Brockett. He’s credited on Nektar’s official website for Liquid – Static – Film projection (from 1970-78 / 2002 …….). How often do you see that? An overall real commitment to the arts with a focus on words, sight, and sound. I would have LOVED to have been able to witness this back in the day. While doing LSD (just kidding). Nektar, in the beginning, was considered a psychedelic band. Music was created to punctuate a high. Filming the band in concert was always considered hard to do at best because of the light show. Very cool visuals meant to stimulate the concert-goer’s brain. For the consumer worth every dollar. A shame we don’t have stacks of DVDs visually archiving Nektar’s past, but at least the stories are there to help preserve Nektar’s past.

Time Machine is Nektar in the twenty-first century. A solid mainstream prog-rock band. As solid as Yes or any of the other competitors that might still be around after all these years, if not better.

Speaking of Yes, this CD, in parts, does remind me of them a bit. More of the Trevor Rabin era of 90125 (1983). At the time a reincarnation of a departed band. Alive again by chance and fate. All the puzzle pieces fit perfectly. With Trevor Rabin and the return of Tony Kaye, Yes was a new band. I categorize Nektar’s Time Machine in at least the same ballpark as the most popular-selling Yes album. A relaunch of a classic rock band that is worth the time to investigate. Better comparing 90125 to a Yes release that would come years later; Yes – Open Your Eyes (1997). My least favorite of all the Yes studio releases, including Union (1991). Been a Yes fan longer than Nektar. One key element connects Yes’ Open Your Eyes to Nektar’s Time Machine. His name is, Billy Sherwood. Some might say a hired gun nowadays. The man has a very impressive back catalog of music. Just so happens that Billy produced one of my favorite Paul Rodgers albums called Muddy Waters Blues (1993).

In the two decades past, Sherwood has certainly learned his way around a recording studio. Matter of fact, he engineered and helped Roye Albrighton mix Time Machine. Appears on the album as well, playing a wonderful bass throughout the disc. Outstanding guest appearance here. I always thought Yes’ Open Your Eyes would have made a great EP CD while losing half the material. Oh well…for those unaware, OYE contains a cool hidden track Sherwood was behind. The rushed studio album may suck in parts, but it’s still worth purchasing.

Nektar’s Time Machine — The Music

The first track is a song called “A Better Way”. Interesting intro to the CD with keyboards, effects, and spoken word. ProgHeads eat this shit up. And admitting I don’t understand it completely, I think it’s cool that the band’s fascination with the subject of ‘time’ is explored in this and past albums. Gives it a science-fiction feel. The lyrics, real poetry, can stand up to any coffeehouse e-cig smoke-filled room with just a vocal reading, and maybe some bongos in the background. The music, in parts, resurrected a sound that reminded me in parts of a prog band from long ago; Starcastle. ‘A Better Way’ also includes some solid hard rock moments. Presented in classic progressive music style, and clocked in at just over nine minutes. Being in the music business means paying attention at least a little to today’s music scene. Nektar’s Time Machine should interest youngsters since it’s consistent with modern rock/mainstream prog bands of today. But also, on the flip side, keep the older fans attentive, who will find moments of Nektar’s past, alive and well on this new CD.

The second track tells a story; “Set Me Free, Amigo” has a Jamaican/Reggae sound to it. All about dreams. Toward the end, we get this very cool, fast-paced instrumental piece. Sherwood’s bass is on fire. Repeat the chorus and out you go. Progressive rock does not have the boundaries that a regular four or 5-minute rock/pop tune has. Musicians can exceed and go beyond their usual repertoire. Explore other sounds and rhythms. Nice job on this one.

“Destiny”: I can see the creepy dry ice at the end of this one.

“If Only I Could”: This has a cool Yes vibe. Outstanding main and background vocals. Musicians here all display exemplary talents. The songs are nicely paced. Mainstream prog rock / hard rock tune. Smokin’ instrumental moments. Billy Sherwood again rules with his Chris Squire signature, sounding bass work. The end of the song almost sounds like the end of a World Trade song. Which, with me being a follower, is a good thing. I dug that band. Back to “If Only I Could”…one word: invigorating.

Time Machine: The official video of this song by the band is a good one. I’ve given it repeated plays. Visually stunning. Music-wise, a groovy vocal and guitar performance by original member Roye Albrighton. Most of the material on this new studio release is written by him.

Ron Howden is a fantastic drummer. Reminds me of Rick Wakeman’s guy behind the drum kit, Tony Fernandez. Both are two of the best drummers in professional music. Yet, hardly anyone knows their names. Who are these guys of thunder? Like Charlie Watts, providing a steady and consistent beat for decades. The second of two original Nektar members left in the group, Howden, provides a solid foundation here on the title track as well as on everything else. Also worth pointing out is that at around the five-minute mark, keyboardist Klaus Henatsch just takes off. Such a pleasure to hear from a seasoned pro like this. Nice bass work provided by Billy Sherwood. Cool ass video! 

Time flies as the rest of the CD plays out. The song “Tranquility” has a great intro/outro to it. Next is track seven and a tune called “Mocking The Moon”. Contains a cheery vibe, with a tempo and sound that reminds me of Asia, back when John Payne was with them. A solid song, and it must be noted that it wasn’t written by Roye, but instead by Barbel Craven and keyboardist Klaus Henatsch. And it just so happens that the next track on Time Machine is a song called “Talk To Me” written by drummer Ron Howden. Everything else on Time Machine is credited to Roye. Good work by all involved, in front of and behind the scenes.

An “Uncle G” favorite is the second-to-last offering called “Diamond Eyes”. An instrumental with a very jazz fusion feel to it. The whole band just gels on this. I gave this a repeat play immediately after hearing it for the first time. Keyboardist Klaus Henatsch sounds very Bob James in parts. A brilliant jazz keyboardist, prog-rock fans, in general, would all dig if introduced to his recordings. He is best known for the 1970s TV theme song to Taxi called “Angela” (Bob James – Touchdown – released in 1978). The song is another showcase for drummer Ron Howden, and also Mr. Sherwood, who is yet again on his game. “Diamond Eyes” makes for a nice closing track.

With my mind’s eye, I acknowledge a consistent thread here running right down the middle of this review. Nothing wrong or any disrespect to any other Nektar bass player, past or present, but I’d love to see a DVD of the band with Mr. Sherwood on bass, pounding out this new material. Hopefully, more than just me thinks that’s a good idea. Reading this, Cleo? Here’s an idea for the title to the proposed follow-up 2 CD / DVD: Nektar – Live in Space City (Houston Texas) – with special guest Billy Sherwood.

“Uncle G” RATES…Nektar – Time Machine (2013 Purple Pyramid)

Using the one to five-star rating system, I rate Nektar – Time Machine FIVE STARS!! I like the fresh-sounding approach. Still contains its retro moments. Enough to keep me satisfied.

Honorable Mention

I love the artwork; Jesus & Javier Carmona Esteban.

Official Nektar Website – www.nektarsmusic.com

Promotion: Glass Onyon PR (William James) – www.glassonyonpr.com 

Sad Update (October 2023)

This write-up is dedicated/archived in memory of Nektar co-founding member/guitarist/vocalist Roye Albrighton (1949-2016), and co-founding member/drummer Ron Howden (1945-2023). May they rest in peace.

End of Column

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