Several years ago, I bought Spirit's (the original ensemble) best albums from Amazon. The fourth, "Clear" was out of print. (I eventually got the CD from another source). I just got the following message from Amazon, who remembered my earlier purchase.

Amazon's promo copy:

"Album Description
By 1969, Spirit--guitarist Randy California, his stepfather Ed Cassidy on drums, vocalist Jay Ferguson, keyboard man John Locke and bassist Mark Andes--had become one of the hottest young bands in Los Angeles and was one of the first to prove that albums were becoming more important to an act's success than singles. All the elements that made Spirit a unique listening experience--high-voltage rock, jazz, moody soundtrack-like instrumentals and avant garde electronica--are present in spades in 1969's album Clear, whose FM radio smashes, "Dark Eyed Woman" and "I'm Truckin,'" vaulted the Topanga Canyon quintet to the forefront of L.A.'s "second wave" of essential rock bands. Available now on Sundazed's high-definition vinyl is an exact replica of Clear, with Spirit, at the absolute top of its game, slowly exploding like a supernova from some distant galaxy.

Track Listings

1. Dark Eyed Woman
2. Apple Orchard
3. So Little Time to Fly
4. Ground Hog
5. Cold Wind
6. Policeman's Ball
7. Ice
8. Give a Life, Take a Life
9. I'm Truckin'
10. Clear
11. Caught
12. New Dope In Town"

"Clear" is a fine album, but I believe the other 3, "Spirit", "The Family That Plays Together" and "The 12 Dreams of Dr Sardonicus" to be superior, and essential listening for fans of this incredibly influential (Think: Steely Dan on Acid), but highly underrated band.

I salute Amazon and Sundaze for helping keep Spirit's legacy alive for us. And on vinyl, too! Bravo! Sometimes the Machine gets it right, after all.