These Trails - These Trails (WONDERFUL PSYCHEDELIC US 1973)

"THESE TRAILS - THESE TRAILS" (WONDERFUL PSYCHEDELIC US 1973)

"These Trails" was an Honolulu, Hawaii group that was privately pressed on "Sinergia Records" (Sinergia Records 4059, 1973) in 1973.
Members were "Patrick Cockett" (vocals, slide guitar, tabla), "Eric Kingsbury" (guitar), "Margaret Morgan" (vocals, guitar, dulcimer), "Carlos Pardeiro" (vocals, guitar, sitar), "Dave Choy" (arp synthesizer, recorder, arrangements and final mix) and "Ron Rosha" (ipu).
Their eponymous album is an album that skillfully combines a keen sense of melody with otherworldly vocals from the enigmatic late "Margaret Morgan" and innovative sonic experimentation that over 30 years later has stood the test of time.


What's more the band furnished each of its tracks with the colours, scents and atmospheres of the botanical treasure of the volcanic Pacific island paradise that birthed them.
"These Trails" incorporate the synthesizer and multiple vocal tracks into something rich, moody and magical - with warbling synthesizer modulation complimenting "Margaret Morgan"'s amazing slow vibrato, filled out by graceful acoustic guitars.
The songs are full of simple beauty and the power of the performances will never diminish over time.

Each track stands out: "Psyche I And Share Your Water" is a 5 minute track begins with a calm, soothing Folk feel highlighted by some fine acoustic guitar work. Eventually it descends into bad trip territory with ghastly vocals and spooky electronics – an outstanding track, very trippy and worth the price of admission alone.
"Garden Botanum" is another strong highlight that hits like a ray of Hawaiian sunshine, the arrangements are free and green with lots of interesting twists, the vocals are beautifully exotic.
"Rapt Attention" is short, perfect ditty with a twee, joyful feeling and an incredible vocal performance.
This is an unbelievably wonderful peace of music and one of the greatest albums of the 70s.