A Time Before This - JULIAN'S TREATMENT***

First Oracle/The Coming Of The Mule/Phantom City/The Black Tower/Alda Dark Lady Of The Outer Worlds/ Altarra Princess Of The Blue Women/Second Oracle/Twin Suns Of Cetauri-Alkon Planet Of Centauri/The Terran/ Fourth From The Sun/Strange Things/A Time Before This

A Time Before This was the sole album release from the short lived British progressive band Julian’s Treatment, whose sci-fi imagery was melded to the dominant Hammond organ sound.

“The tracks have an aura of the weirdness from those times, sometimes attempting to synthesize some psychedelic/folky experiences with more sinister, mystical contours.”

“This is a charming British proto-prog/psychedelic rock gem, creating a mood for cosmic jamming. Atmospheric music eventually surfaces via the emerging progressive scenery, as the album is dominated by the Hammond organ.”

“What you get here are some long, instrumental organ-based pounds, which contain a nice intellectual depth, lots of dreamy female voices, which sometimes turn into dramatic and crying performances, plus some fantastic flute drives. Concept helps the album pass through different climates, from discreet classical preludes to powerful organ waves, and from narcotic psychedelic deliveries to some harder parts with a more pronounced electric guitar. Breaks and tempo variations are strong components.”

“The Hammond work here is what makes this so good, this is a must have for the organ aficionado. It's multi-layered, sometimes jazzy, evoking haunting moods. Another obscure prog/psych gem.”

“This has never really resonated with me and, although it has grown on me a bit with repeated listens. Maybe it's the ridiculous sci-fi lyrics, highlighted by the spoken interludes that are especially distracting on some tracks. A Time Before This does attempt to resuscitate itself on the second half, beginning with the instrumental Terran, but the overall result is still decidedly mediocre. A decent, albeit far from essential, prog/space rock album.”

“They were a great prog-rock band from the early 70s. The music is very dynamic, great melodies, and with an impressive female vocalist.”