Ashes [Blue Vinyl]

Formed from the remnants of Californian pop group 'The Young Swingers,' 1965 marked a pivotal moment for the members of the psychedelic folk-rock group 'Ashes.' Originating in Santa Monica, the original lineup of Alan Brackett, Jim Cherniss, Spencer Dryden, John Merrill, and Barbara Robinson began playing local clubs and released two now-obscure singles in 1965. By 1966, they adopted the name 'Ashes' and underwent personnel changes, with Cherniss departing and Dryden leaving to join Jefferson Airplane. Brackett and Merrill subsequently formed The Peanut Butter Conspiracy but reformed 'Ashes' in 1968 with new singer Pat Taylor and drummer John Voight. Recorded in 1968 and produced by Jackie Mills, the self-titled "Ashes" is a dreamy, acid folk-rock piece that was initially shelved but released by Vault Records in 1971. Now reissued on blue vinyl with extra recordings, this album is an excellent slice of mid-1960s Southern California lite-rock.