PsychepediA

Artist Rolodex

Kaleidoscope [U.K.]

From: Harrow, England

This West London based band started life in 1964 as an R&B outfit called the Side Kicks and then changed their name to the Key in late 1965. In early 1967, they dove headfirst into psychedelia and began calling themselves the Kaleidoscope. Members included Peter Daltrey (lead vocals, keyboards), Ed Pumer (guitar), Steve Clark (bass) and Dan Bridgman (drums). While the group did not achieve any significant commercial success back in the 60s, they were well received by critics and their peers, and have managed to maintain a loyal cult fan base to this day.

Their debut LP titled Tangerine Dream was issued in late 1967 and includes a slew of excellent tracks, including 'Flight From Ashiya', 'Dive Into Yesterday', 'A Dream For Julie' and '(Further Reflections) In The Room Of Percussion'. As a side note, the "Room of Percussion" was a nickname for Ed Pumer's bedroom where the group spent a lot of their time together. All of their songs as the Kaleidoscope were originals, written by Pumer (music) and Daltrey (lyrics).

The Kaleidoscope gigged incessantly in the U.K. and Europe throughout 1968, and released a non-LP single ('Jenny Artichoke' b/w 'Just How Much You Are') in September of that year. The A-Side was a well received, catchy little tune that was played constantly on the radio, but surprisingly still failed to chart. It wasn't until April, 1969 that they issued a second and final LP titled Faintly Blowing. This record continued in the same styling of their first album, but with a stronger focus on traditional British folk music. Unfortunately it too failed to chart and in August of that year, the band changed their name to Fairfield Parlor and moved towards a more progressive rock direction.

Artist information sources include: The book, 'Tapestry of Delights Revisited' by Vernon Joynson.

Original LPs/EPs

Tangerine Dream

Original LP/EP Label: Fontana (S)TL 5448

Released: November, 1967

Songs from this album played on TWOS:

(Further Reflections) In The Room Of Percussion
A Dream For Julie
(Original 45 Label: Fontana TF 895, A - January, 1968)
Dive Into Yesterday
Flight From Ashiya
(Original 45 Label: Fontana TF 863, A - September, 1967)
Holiday Maker
(Original 45 Label: Fontana TF 863, B - September, 1967)
The Murder Of Lewis Tollani
The Sky Children

Faintly Blowing

Original LP/EP Label: Fontana STL 5491

Released: April, 1969

Songs from this album played on TWOS:

Faintly Blowing
Snapdragon

General Compilations

Acid Drops, Spacedust & Flying Saucers: Psychedelic Confectionary From The U.K. Underground 1965-1969

This compilation CD contains the following songs by this artist that are played on TWOS:
- Flight From Ashiya

Nuggets II: Original Artyfacts From The British Empire And Beyond

This compilation CD contains the following songs by this artist that are played on TWOS:
- A Dream For Julie
- Flight From Ashiya

Psychedalia: Rare Blooms From The English Summer Of Love