From the opening riff of "Fresh Garbage," with its jazzy electric piano and fuzzy rock guitar,
Spirit set out to carve a unique, eclectic niche in the music world of the late '60s. Though the band achieved only limited commercial success, the music they produced from 1968-1972 still sounds fresh decades later.
Time Circle collects the bulk of their recorded output during this five-year period. The 41 tracks assembled here include nine from the group's eponymous debut, seven from the follow-up
The Family That Plays Together, six from
Clear, and nine-tenths of the classic
The Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus. This set also includes unreleased tracks, singles, and B-sides to provide a complete look at this excellent quintet. ~ Jim Newsom