Kingdom Come* – Journey

This is the 2010 newly remastered and expanded Esoteric label edition of Journey (1973), which has been expanded to a double-CD. The second disc contains eight bonus tracks of rare single material, alternate mixes, and three recordings from a 1972 John Peel session. As an aside, Journey is usually cited as the first rock album where the drummer was replaced entirely by a drum machine, in this case the Bentley Rhythm Ace, an early analog unit and the predecessor to the Roland TR77. The fact that these analog units sort of work with the music is because they sound almost, but not quite, entirely unlike drums. The 8-bit digital drum machines that would appear in the 1980s actually sounded vaguely like drums, which made them more irritating when used in lieu of a rock drummer.

Classic vintage Arthur Brown recordings with the third Kingdom Come album ‘Journey’. The first album to be constructed around a drum machine, it is one of the most original and innovative albums of its era pointing towards musical developments that would become clear decades later.

Early electronica classic, albeit an accidental one. Even before "Autobahn" was released, Arthur Brown & co. cooked up this brilliant space-rock album that uses banks of analogue synths and a drum machine to amazing effect. The drum machine, in fact, adds a huge amount to the sound, and gives a sonic quality you don't get in rock until records by Suicide, Human League and Gary Numan a few years later. Essential for fans of Silver Apples, White Noise, Throbbing Gristle, Brian Eno and any proto-electronic pop.

This release has the track marks in the wrong place on two tracks. The result is this disc when inserted in a player lists 13 tracks when there are in fact only 11 in total. It does not contain the BBC session tracks available on later releases.

This has got to be the most drastically different album Arthur Brown ever done. Brown and guitarist Andy Dalby were now teamed up with bassist Phil Shutt (who already appeared on their previous album) and new keyboardist, a Detroit native, Victor Peraino. Even their drummer Martin "Slim" Steer had now left, leaving the band without a drummer. No problem, Arthur Brown makes use of the Bentley Rhythm Ace drum machine. Gone are the Hammond organ and, aside from Arthur's voice, much reminders of The Crazy World of Arthur Brown. In comes the ARP 2600 synthesizer and Mellotron. But despite the drum machine, which sounds like a cheap toy, check out that guitar work from Andy Dalby. His guitar playing more than makes up for whatever inadequacies of the drum machine. "Time Captives" is a great piece of space rock, with Brown's unmistakable voice and spacy electronic effects. "Gypsy" is a Mellotron lover's dream come true, just fantastic use of Mellotron, as well as synthesizer and guitar. "Superficial Roadblocks" feature more fantastic Mellotron. "Conception" features some really terrifying screams from Brown, while "Spirit of Joy" was the most accessible piece, a rather catchy number with more great Mellotron. In fact it was released as a single prior to the album's release in hope of another hit (since Brown hadn't had a hit single since "Fire"). "Come Alive" is just loaded with guitar riffs, and it slows down showing a more bluesy side. I really love Brown's foray into space rock. It's an experiment he never did again. Another favorite of mine that comes highly recommended!