Nektar – A Tab in the Ocean (Deluxe Edition) (Esoteric / CHerry Red)

I don’t know if there’s anything quite like vintage Nektar in surround sound…

Nektar, the Anglo-German masters of psychedelic prog rock, occupy a warm, hallowed space in the history of the genre, even if their pioneering 70s output often floats just below the mainstream’s surface. For those who came of age with their sprawling epics and legendary liquid light shows, a new Nektar reissue is always a welcome event – a chance to plunge back into their cosmic and colourful world and escape this increasingly miserable one in the process. Following the stellar treatment given to the Nektar catalogue thus far (including Journey to the Centre of the Eye and Remember the Future), Esoteric has now turned its discerning eye to the missing link: 1972’s A Tab in the Ocean, and the result is a beautifully immersive boxed set that can proudly take its place alongside its brethren on collectors’ shelves.

Nektar’s second effort, recorded at Dieter Derks’ studio in the autumn of ’72, saw the band taking large strides towards their most purely progressive era. After the all-encompassing concept of their debut, A Tab in the Ocean set the template for the more focused, yet still highly adventurous structures that would bring them recognition. This is the album where the four core musicians – guitarist Roye Albrighton, keyboardist Allan ‘Taff’ Freeman, bassist Derek ‘Mo’ Moore, and drummer Ron Howden – locked into a powerful, cohesive unit, balancing hard-edged rock with intricate, space-faring compositions. And while their material would continue to improve further still, there are plenty of fans who consider this particular slab a favourite (I sometimes muse that I might be one of them, but then I tend to think that about whichever Nektar album is currently spinning.)

The album’s first side is dominated by the sprawling, anthemic 17-minute title track, a glorious progressive rock tour-de-force that builds from ambient organ swirls to a powerful, triumphant riff, peppered with jazzy textures and sudden, dramatic shifts. It’s an exhilarating piece of music that vies for inclusion in the Hall of Fame of side-long prog tracks. The remaining three tracks – Desolation Valley / Waves, Crying in the Dark, and King of Twilight (famously covered by Iron Maiden!) are equally compelling, each a tightly constructed slice of Nektar’s evolving sound, combining space-rock melancholy with the complex time signatures of their contemporaries. Albrighton’s guitar playing is, once again, a revelation – fiery, melodic, and criminally underrated among the genre’s greats, something which I’ve mentioned in… oh, probably every Nektar conversation I’ve ever had.

This five-disc deluxe edition, now commonplace in the Esoteric canon, is a meticulously curated treasure trove celebrating the album’s lasting legacy. As with previous sets, the sonic improvements are a major draw. Discs One and Two treat us to a brand new stereo mix and an impeccable new remaster of the original 1972 mix. Both were expertly handled by Ben Wiseman, breathing crystal-clear life into the recording, clarifying Mo Moore’s powerhouse bass and Ron Howden’s fluid, dynamic drumming, which were sometimes muddied on previous issues. The second disc also includes a newly remastered version of the much-debated 1976 US album mix, which, while often perceived as inferior, provides an alternative perspective on the material for the keen collector (I’ll admit, I listened to this mix once and I expect that number will never increase… but that’s just me.)

The remaining CDs boast a magnificent, previously unreleased complete concert recorded in Erbach, Germany, in April 1973. This is a priceless document of the original line-up on stage, captured shortly after A Tab in the Ocean‘s release. The two-hour show treats fans to new tracks alongside older gems and blossoming material from yet-to-be-released albums. Of these pieces, surely the 14-minute 1-2-3-4 is one of the major draws, and similar length epics such as A Day in the Life of a Preacher and Let it Grow showcase Nektar at the top of their live game. One can almost smell the peculiar-scented concert hall as the jams spill forth from the speakers (or was that just the state of my living room?) This full-length, unearthed gig is worth the sticker price alone, and makes for the perfect sonic accompaniment while delving into the beautifully illustrated booklet, which features rare photos, lyrics, and an insightful new essay from Mark Powell and new thoughts from Moore covering the band’s history during this important period.

It’s important to note that a crucial factor in establishing Nektar’s distinctive live identity was the incorporation of advanced visual effects orchestrated by lighting specialist Mick Brockett. Drawing on his experience, which included tenure with Pink Floyd and his own production company, Fantasia Light Circus, Brockett engineered a groundbreaking accompaniment for the band’s performances. His methodology involved the precise deployment of colored liquids and projected slides to create kinetic, fluid imagery. This essential element, branded as ‘Liquid Sound Design,’ proved pivotal, supplying Nektar with a superior, competitive stage presence that defined their touring aesthetic for many subsequent years.

After all that is said and done, the Blu-ray disc is where this set truly spoils us. Featuring a new 5.1 Surround Sound mix, along with hi-res stereo and the original mix, it’s a paradise for immersive listening. Hearing the keyboards swirl and Albrighton’s guitar solos take flight across a full, spacious soundstage is a testament to the competence of the new mixing job; it avoids the pitfall of sounding gimmicky, instead enhancing the music’s inherent drama and depth. This album – and indeed, Nektar’s whole catalogue – was practically begging for a surround sound treatment, and here it is, tasteful and spectacular. The other mixes are here too, for anyone who wants to bounce back and forth or simply compare and contrast.

This comprehensive revisiting confirms A Tab in the Ocean as a timeless essential in the Nektar canon and a benchmark for early 70s progressive rock. It’s a stellar reissue that both honours the past and presents the music with a vibrant clarity suitable for not only us old codgers, but a new generation of listeners who need to know how deep the ocean of great progressive rock really goes.