With a title like ‘Angel Dust’ it’s obvious with Gabriel Bondage that we are in for a trippy and laid back ride, and that’s what it is for the most part with some noticeable exceptions.
Written by: Eric
ARTIST: Gabriel Bondage
ALBUM: Angel Dust
LABEL: Dharma
SERIAL: D 804
YEAR: 1975
CD INFO: Discogs Info List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
LINEUP: Rex Bundy – guitar, lead vocals * Lawrence Biernacki – guitars, vocals * Bill Wisniewski – sax, flute, vocals * Tony Stram – bass * Conrad Green – moog, mellotron, guitar * Ken Sajdak – piano, harpsichord, organ * Tony Antinarelli – drums * Zaido Cruz – background vocals
TRACK LISTING: 01 Babylon * 02 First Stone In A Pyramid * 03 You And The Wind * 04 Take My Eyes * 05 Ladies & Gentlemen * 06 Bondage * 07 Rust Flakes * 08 Dinosaur * 09 Implosion * 10 Island * 11 Sing Me A Song
WEBLINKS: Site Link
Background
Chicago, Illinois was the epicenter of American progressive rock in the mid 70’s for a variety of reasons, but most importantly because of Dharma Records. Based in the quiet suburban hamlet of Libertyville; Dharma was the first independent label to focus almost exclusively on prog rock. Headed up by entrepreneur Perry Johnson, the label dabbled in blues and straight rock.
But the bulk of their catalog focused on Midwestern progressive bands, including Streetdancer, Atlantis Philharmonic, Treeborn and Gabriel Bondage, who to my knowledge are the only band on the imprint to release a second LP; ‘Another Trip To Earth’ in 1977.
Historically, I have never been able to find much information on Gabriel Bondage even going so far as to rack up a hefty phone bill in my search a few years ago. But I do know they were a local Chicago group probably rubbing shoulders with other bands in the area including Pentwater and Yezda Urfa who both had dealings with Dharma prior to the label going belly up in bankruptcy and ending with both groups releasing albums on their own.
The Songs
With a title like ‘Angel Dust’ it’s obvious with Gabriel Bondage that we are in for a trippy and laid back ride, and that’s what it is for the most part with some noticeable exceptions. First of all, the lyrical content as for example on side one’s opening track ‘Babylon’ seems to be coming from a Christian perspective and even more so on the closing track ‘Take My Eyes’ which is essentially a gospel styled track.
Not great really, but sandwiched between these two songs are ‘First Stone In A Pyramid’ and ‘You And The Wind’ which are both very good with a stoned out ‘Krautrock’ vibe. Very haunting stuff and the second side is even better with plenty of flute conjuring up images of Jethro Tull and even the lighter side of Popul Vuh without that particular band’s sometimes heavy musical walks through spirituality.
In Summary
Certainly not the best Ameriprog album you’ll come across, but not the worst either with a gorgeous and suitably cosmic album cover that makes this record quite collectable. Gabriel Bondages second album mentioned earlier would take a stronger rock and gospel direction and in turn is less interesting although several copies were pressed on coloured vinyl, again making it a prime target for collectors.
Video
Entire Album
