Quintessence
 

Quintessence were a quite awesome progressive/psychedelic rock group from the late sixties, featuring Raja Ram (of Shpongle fame) on flute. I checked them out a while ago after learning that he was in an old school psych rock band. They incorporate middle eastern stylings into their jams. Worth a hear.

Interesting group. Seems like some other groups of that era had some similar influences, like Iron Butterfly, Strawberry Alarmclock, and the Yardbirds.

Quintessence are one of my favourite bands and Notting Hill Gate is one of their best tracks. I first heard them as a child in the seventies, when one of the TV channels unusually transmitted a compilation of Christian music by rock bands (on a Sunday teatime). My memory of the programme is vague, but it also included Ashton, Gardner and ****. All of the Quintessence albums are good and worth owning.

I have not heard any of the spin-off bands like Shpongle.

I thought this was going to be about this. :-/