Nektar-Down to Earth (1974)

The next step in the discography for British band Nektar, following their captivating "Remember to Future", was the concept album "Down to Earth", a thematic work about the fascinating world of the circus. In this fifth release, they move away from the space-themed narratives and lengthy instrumental passages of their earlier work, focusing instead on more conventional compositions. While these compositions align well with the album's overall theme, they are divided into tracks with distinct stories. The album opens with the rock anthem "Astral Man", which feels somewhat out of place compared to the tranquil atmospheres of the other tracks, such as the receptive "Early Morning Clown", the fervent "Oh Willy", and the crystalline "Little Boy". On the other hand, the tracks "Nelly The Elephant", "That's Life" and "Show Me The Way" are the most progressive moments of the album, which like all the previous ones, are adorned with different arrangements adapted to the circus show, such as saxophones, trumpets or trombones, bathed with the intense bass of Derek Howden, the cadence of the keyboards of Allan Freeman, the rock guitar riffs of Albrighton and the jazzy drums of Ron Howden, which together with the brilliant vocal counterpoint, give it a great appeal thanks to those rich and original sound structures.