Genesis (2) – In The Beginning

Incredible psychedelic rock album. Pressing is really good with nice dynamics

The opener "Angeline" is proto-metal! With the psychedelic "sign of the times" production. Very enjoyable record!

Unless you were there in Los Angeles back in the late '60s and knew every band at the time in the area or personally knew Jack Ttanna, chances are you know this Genesis because of the famous UK band. I could also see confused faces to anyone who encountered this album, given the UK band also released an album called In the Beginning, which in reality was just one in a million reissues of From Genesis to Revelation.

Forget the UK band (I enjoy the UK band especially the 1970-77 era), this Genesis very much stands on its own, particularly if you love West Coast psych. The group consisted of Jack Ttanna on vocals and guitar, Kent Henry on additional guitar, Fred Rivera on bass, Bob Metke on drums and Sue Richman on vocals. This album is underrated probably due to comparisons to the other band which is unfair, comparing this Genesis with the other one is like comparing Jefferson Airplane with Yes. The album consist of covers and originals. "Gloomy Sunday" is a song originally done by Hungarian Rezso Seress and is a great moody piece with Sue Richman giving her best. Her vocal performance really blew me away here. There's a cover of Leonard Cohen's "Suzanne", which is quite recognizable. "What it's All About" had a more bluesy feel, and "Girl Who Never Was" strangely resembles that other Genesis circa From Genesis to Revelation with Jack Ttanna almost sounding like Peter Gabriel. Obviously zero connection with that Genesis. It's a great piece and the strings are much more appealing than what Arthur Greenslade (Dave Greenslade's dad) did to From Genesis to Revelation. Plus the flute adds a nice touch. Then there's "Would Without You" which is frequently compared to Quicksilver Messenger Service which you can see why. At over 16 minutes it's basically an extended guitar jam but surprisingly good. I imagine this something the band would perform live for fun. The album was quickly forgotten and we know what happened when another Genesis from across the pond appeared: they became famous. To me this is a great lost gem of psych really worth your attention.

Textured front and back sleeve.