Baker Gurvitz Army - Elysian Encounter (1975) plus bonus live tracks

 (U.K 1974 - 1976)

Baker Gurvitz Army (BGA) were an English rock group. Their self-titled debut album featured a blend of hard rock laced with Ginger Baker's jazz- and Afrobeat-influenced drumming. The lengthy "Mad Jack" was that album's outstanding track, and the album hit the US Billboard 200 chart, and peaked at number 22 in the UK Albums Chart. The two following albums contained similar material, although neither charted in the UK nor the US. When Cream split up in 1968, Ginger Baker was invited to join Blind Faith, which formed the following year. This was not such a successful venture and following its demise, Baker put together his own outfit, Ginger Baker's Air Force, in 1970. Things did not go too well for Baker after the demise of that band.

Former The Gun and Three Man Army members, brothers Paul and Adrian Gurvitz were looking for a new way ahead after early successes, so they joined forces with Baker in 1974. In their first year they recorded one live and one studio album, following with two more studio albums, Elysian Encounter and Hearts On Fire. However, the death of their manager led to the band breaking up in 1976. In 2003, a compilation album, Flying In And Out Of Stardom, was released, including four new live songs.

Album Review

'Elysian Encounter' is Baker Gurvitz Army's second studio album. The recording of this LP saw the band expanded with the addition of vocalist Mr. Snips (Steve Parsons) and keyboard player Peter Lemer. Arguably the Band’s finest work, the album featured such classic material as People, Time, Remember and The Key.

This album has really grown over the years. When it came out in 1975 it got slightly lost in the wave of somehow similar rock albums, many at the time released by better known names. However, this one turns out to be a survivor that still sounds fresh and enthusiastic after so many years and after most competitors are forgotten.

Ginger Baker keeps things interesting, guitar and bass are great, keyboards add the necessary touches, and singer Mr. Snips was Steve Parsons of the Sharks, as unique as Roger Chapman.

There is no real highlight among the eight tracks as they are all on an equally high level of quality, making this a truly great album that should not be overlooked.  The album cover work is also a great drawcard that certainly catches your attention, thanks to the fine artwork and design by J. Petagno.

Paul Gurvitz and Ginger Baker

These five formidable musicians had enough talent between them to blow any band off the stage, which is clearly evident from what's enclosed here. Both Baker's drumming and Adrian's guitar playing is some of the best ever heard on record. This music simply refuses to fade out and remains to be vibrant and exciting. Play it loud!

This post consists of FLACs ripped from my prized, near mint, vinyl and of course comes with full album artwork and label scans. As a bonus, you will find two additional 'live' renditions of "People" and Jimi Hendrix's "Freedom".

Track Listing

01 People

02 The Key

03 Time

04 The Gambler

05 The Dreamer

06 Remember

07 The Artist

08 The Hustler

09 People (Live)  Bonus Track*

10 Freedom (Live)  Bonus Track*

* Bonus tracks from CD release 

Baker Gurvitz Army:

Mr. Snips - lead vocals

Adrian Gurvitz - guitar, backing and lead vocals

Peter Lemer - keyboards

Paul Gurvitz - bass, backing vocals

Ginger Baker - drums, backing vocals, percussion

BGA Link (336Mb) New Link 06/09/2023