Cosmic Travelers - Live! At the Spring Crater Celebration Diamond Head, Oahu, Hawaii (Reissue) (1972/2013)

The Cosmic Travelers “Live! At The Spring Crater Celebration” (Gear Fab Records 2013)

Starring the amazing talents of former Paul Revere and the Raiders guitarist Drake Levin, lead vocalist and bassist Joel Christie, who sang lead in Jesus Christ Superstar, drummer and vocalist Dale Loyola from the Hook and the Lee Michaels Band, and vocalist and guitarist Jimmy McGhee, who performed with Otis Redding and Etta James, the Cosmic Travelers produced only one album during their short-lived stint, but what a masterpiece it is. Recorded April 1, 1972 at the Spring Crater Celebration at the Diamond Head volcano in Oahu, Hawaii, the duly titled “Live! At The Spring Crater Celebration” has been out of print for years, but is now available on compact disc in all its blazing glory.

Sizzling full steam ahead with razzle dazzle jams that expertly bind together blues, soul, funk and hard driving rock and roll into a single file, the Cosmic Travelers are on fire each and every galloping groove of the way. The interplay between the musicians is absolutely stunning, as they are simultaneously loose and tight. Securely grounded, but raw and spontaneous, the Cosmic Travelers speak the same language, as they swap and blend licks in an impressively telepathic manner. Dripping wet with energy and electricity, “Live! At The Spring Crater Celebration” contains not a speck of down time. A loud and fiery affair, the album is so vivid and exciting that it makes the listener feel as if they’re right onstage with the band.