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Gong - 2026 - "Bright Spirit" (43:45; Kscope) It is strange to realise that it is now more than ten years since the death of Daevid Allen, yet the group he formed all the way back in 1967 is still going, with Allen giving his blessing to this line-up, asking they continue without him and suggesting that Torabi be the new leader. Lead guitarist Fabio Golfetti (since 2012), bassist Dave Sturt (since 2009), saxophonist/flautist Ian East (since 2010), drummer Cheb Nettles (since 2014) and vocalist/guitarist Kavus Torabi (also since 2014) have somehow maintained the longest (by far) running line-up of the band, during which time they have released four albums, with this being the third in the trilogy which started with ‘The Universe Also Collapses’ (2019) and continued with ‘Unending Ascending’ (2023). Like anyone who is interested in this band I have albums and DVDs by multiple different entities of the Gong family, including Acid Mothers Gong, Pierre Moerlen’s Gong and others, and like many feel the climax of their work are the three incredible albums which make up the Radio Gnome Invisible trilogy, namely ‘Flying Teapot’, ‘Angel's Egg’ and ‘You”, yet this release takes us back to those heady days as here the current line-up have decided to move forward by heading backwards, with the result being the most solidly enjoyable Gong album for many years. Here we have an album which hardcore fans will play time and again, not just purchase and leave on the shelf, as it feels as the last 50 years have not happened and they are truly challenging Daevid Allen and what Gong were all about, psychedelic, swirling, enthralling, bringing in Eastern influences and always refusing to conform to anyone’s expectations. I have long followed Torabi’s career in multiple bands and projects, but it is here that he truly appears to be at home, and there is no doubt the legacy of Gong is in very safe hands indeed. While any newcomer to the band will always be pointed to the classic early era of the band, this one sits quite happily alongside those seminal releases, and is one I have enjoyed immensely. Progtector: May 2026 Related Links: Gong Kscope