Don Robertson
Dawn

Finally, I find myself reviewing an album with guts!

Who has ever heard of Akarma Records? Surely not many, but this label, like very few others, presents itself to the mainstream audience with the stamp of precious rarities, including this one! Specializing in unearthing ancient glories of the past rock that dealt with "indo/prog-raga rock" music.

The album in question I bought online for a modest price in a regular bazaar in London and here in Italy, no one has ever placed it on the shelves. After holding it in my hands (a spectacular cardboard box, enriched with a beautiful booklet featuring images from the era of this semi-unknown American artist, who even seems to be a Protestant priest), I was fascinated by its thousand nuances, leaving an emotionally mystical and spatial flavor (as they say, experimenting!).

I'll start by telling you that Don Robertson released only this album (1968) in his entire career, and he is a multi-instrumentalist: piano, organ, tabla, flute, guitar, harp, some other electronic and Indian instruments unknown to me, etc., etc., and he even sings (only accompanied live by another musician).

In total, only 32 minutes of music for the beauty of 8 tracks: "Dawn", "Why?", "Contemplation", "Where", "The Candle", "Gateless Gate", "When?", and "Belief". The influence of all the tracks is absolutely spiritual and meditative with some flashes of country rock, chill out. The sitar is absolutely delicate and the compositions confusing.

The sounds of nature and the narrator's voice present here can paralyze you, the mantra theme can enchant you! And to say that on vinyl it is considered a collector's item.

Super introspective and highly recommended!