ultimate spinach

• Edition: 180-gram gatefold vinyl LP reissue with 2 bonus tracks

Originally released in 1968, Ultimate Spinach’s self-titled debut became one of the best-known albums associated with Boston’s heavily promoted “Bosstown Sound.” Led by songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Ian Bruce-Douglas, the group created a richly arranged mixture of psychedelic rock, acid folk, jazz influences and anti-war imagery.

“Ego Trip” opens the album with distorted guitar, organ and pointed countercultural lyrics, while the four-part “Sacrifice of the Moon” moves through contrasting instrumental and vocal sections. “Plastic Raincoats / Hung-Up Minds” combines melodic folk-rock elements with studio effects and a dreamlike psychedelic atmosphere.

The album’s centrepiece is the extended “(Ballad of the) Hip Death Goddess,” an ominous slow-building composition led by Barbara Jean Hudson’s vocals, tremolo guitar and atmospheric keyboards. “Your Head Is Reeling” continues the darker mood through echoing vocals and unusual electronic textures, while “Baroque #1” displays Bruce-Douglas’s classical and jazz-influenced keyboard writing.

This Akarma vinyl edition presents the complete original album and adds mono versions of “Your Head Is Reeling” and “(Ballad of the) Hip Death Goddess.” The programme is spread across a revised side arrangement and housed in a heavyweight gatefold sleeve.

Track listing

Side A

1. Ego Trip – 3:12
2. Sacrifice of the Moon (In Four Parts) – 3:45
3. Plastic Raincoats / Hung-Up Minds – 2:55
4. (Ballad of the) Hip Death Goddess – 8:12
5. Your Head Is Reeling – 3:39
6. Dove in Hawk’s Clothing – 3:53

Side B

1. Baroque #1 – 4:47
2. Funny Freak Parade – 2:34
3. Pamela – 3:10

Bonus Tracks

4. Your Head Is Reeling – Mono Version – 3:38
5. (Ballad of the) Hip Death Goddess – Mono Version – 8:18