Digitally remastered two CD anthology from the legendary psychedelic, underground and Eastern influenced rock band Quintessence. This set celebrates Quintessence and gathers together all of the band's material issued by Island Records between 1969 and 1971. It also includes a live version of "Jesus, Buddha, Moses, Guaranga" which originally appeared on the Island double LP sampler Bumpers in 1970. One of the great underground acts of their era, Quintessence came together in the Ladbroke Grove area of London in 1969. The band comprised Australians Phil 'Shiva' Jones (vocals, keyboards), Ron 'Raja Ram' Rothfield (flute) along with Allan Mostert (lead guitar), Richard 'Shambhu Babaji' Vaughan (bass), Dave 'Maha Dev' Codling (rhythm guitar) and Jeremy 'Jake' Milton (drums). Within months of their formation the Eastern influenced rock music of Quintessence had earned the band a dedicated following and they were signed by Chris Blackwell to Island Records. Over the next three years the band would record three classic albums for the label - In Blissful Company, Quintessence and Dive Deep - along with the classic single version of one of their best known tracks, "Notting Hill Gate". The material Quintessence recorded during this period, mostly produced by John Barham, who would also work with George Harrison on his All Things Must Pass album, earned them admiration from such luminaries as Pete Townshend of The Who (who attended Quintessence concerts) and Jim Morrison of The Doors.
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