Live Ethereal Cereal (also known as "the yellow one") is the third of
Ozric Tentacles' first six independent releases on cassettes, each one with a different background color. Released by the band in 1986, it was reissued on CD by Dovetail Records in 1994. If it weren't for the poor sound quality of these live recordings, this album would rank among the band's best efforts. Tracks have been culled from shows in Glastonbury (October 1985) and Reading (September and December 1985, plus February 1986). The "Erpriff" opens the set with a hard-rocking beat,
Hawkwind-like guitar riff, and swirling synthesizers: pure
Ozric. "Tentacular Explosion" and "Obstacular Explosion" are anchored by a similar rhythmical pattern but take different directions, the former being the most energized (great percussion work here). The obligatory reggae jam takes the form of a "Stupid Reggae" -- good clean fun. The album reaches a peak moment with "Aumriff," a take on
Gong's famous jamming theme from You. Each track is a memorable
Ozric moment and if one doesn't mind the subpar sound,
Live Ethereal Cereal is thoroughly enjoyable. Recall, a division of Snapper Music, has reissued the album as a two-CD set with
There Is Nothing with new artwork under the title There Is Nothing/Live Ethereal Cereal. ~ François Couture