Father Yod And The Spirit Of '76
Contraction

“Contraction”

It was quite a scene with the Source Family in Hollywood in the early 70’s—the restaurant was doing mega-business, the followers were blissed out and growing in number, and crafty plans allowed for all-- even free sewage systems. Surely Father Yod had it all-- power, money, music, spirituality, peace…the only thing missing was music. Loads of musicians were in the Family ranks, at modest estimation about 30 or so talented ones among many pretenders, but Yod recognized talent when he saw it—and a way to reach the masses, and perhaps even more income. Yes, family members were assigned as label heads (Higher Key records), agents, bookers, promotion men (and ladies of course), but music was still largely a spiritual concern to Father Yod, or as guitarist Dijn desribed their music, “ritual ceremony done with much focus, reverence, nerve, and joy.”
The Spirit of ‘76 band was conceived as a 13 piece band, but mainly consisted of Father Yod/YaHoWha, Sunflower, Dijn, Octavius, Rhythm, Zoraster, Vibration, Ahom, Aquarina, and Cinderella. The album “Contraction” was recorded in a single session in late ’73 along with “Expansion” and “Spirit of ’76,” and released as a double with the former. This was a pivotal time for the Family as well, for the Kohoutek comet was set to appear, and it was seen as a cosmic emissary which transformed Father Yod into the even more godhead-sounding YaHoWha. Recorded by studio whiz Pinaru on a TEAC 4 track at a...

“Contraction”

It was quite a scene with the Source Family in Hollywood in the early 70’s—the restaurant was doing mega-business, the followers were blissed out and growing in number, and crafty plans allowed for all-- even free sewage systems. Surely Father Yod had it all-- power, money, music, spirituality, peace…the only thing missing was music. Loads of musicians were in the Family ranks, at modest estimation about 30 or so talented ones among many pretenders, but Yod recognized talent when he saw it—and a way to reach the masses, and perhaps even more income. Yes, family members were assigned as label heads (Higher Key records), agents, bookers, promotion men (and ladies of course), but music was still largely a spiritual concern to Father Yod, or as guitarist Dijn desribed their music, “ritual ceremony done with much focus, reverence, nerve, and joy.”
The Spirit of ‘76 band was conceived as a 13 piece band, but mainly consisted of Father Yod/YaHoWha, Sunflower, Dijn, Octavius, Rhythm, Zoraster, Vibration, Ahom, Aquarina, and Cinderella. The album “Contraction” was recorded in a single session in late ’73 along with “Expansion” and “Spirit of ’76,” and released as a double with the former. This was a pivotal time for the Family as well, for the Kohoutek comet was set to appear, and it was seen as a cosmic emissary which transformed Father Yod into the even more godhead-sounding YaHoWha. Recorded by studio whiz Pinaru on a TEAC 4 track at a 4am session, the album finds the group at perhaps their most versatile.
Starting with a mystical mellow groove, things appears to be loosening up compared to other more severe LPs like “Penetration” or “I’m Gonna Take you Home.” Flutes gently pipe away and the guitars are in check, both phosphorescent and tasteful. YoHoWha’s vocals also appear more casual, higher pitched and even whimsical, with occasional jokey phrases implanted in the religious narration. At about 15 minutes in, things start to change, right after Yod declares ”What to do with all this energy?”—things get wilder and time suddenly distorts. YoHoWha’s signature kettle drum finds its steady driving beat and the guitars begin to grow heavy and hiss-- the feedback winds start to howl, and the whole pot begins to boil over. The girls start to chant in a fashion like they have probably hundreds of times before, and Sunflower’s liquid bass grooves reveal why Yod called him “golden hands.” Something slides against strings and one remembers sometimes Dijn would use “an old bone” on his guitar. The electric leads begin to scream concurrently, along with some driving post-Hendrix chickin-pickin moves—then YoHoWha chimes in with his signature intense bellow, only for it all to ease back down slowly…The ladies come back in with some delicious harmonies, and things trickle down to a nice liquid end…the ritual is complete. Whew.
“Contraction” is an essential new age freak-out for discriminating heads, and even the casual sociologist-- recorded and improvised in real time, one has the best seat in the house for a Source ceremony.

- Plastic Crimewave