Citizens for Interplanetary Activity "C.I.A. Change" LP (1967) only 350 copies

$

20

Baron Elmo proudly presents a vinyl prize from the avant-garde side of the curb, the one and only recording by CITIZENS FOR INTERPLANETARY ACTIVITY: a self-titled one-sided LP (their score to the experimental Jud Yalkut film Kusama’s Self Obliteration), recorded in 1967 but never released until 2001, when the De Stijl label issued it in a one-time edition of 350 copies. This San Francisco ensemble (the names of most of the members are lost to time) watched the film once, then improvised the score on a second viewing. From the notes, penned by the film director: "We were prepared to record other takes and do remixes, but upon hearing playback, everyone agreed that the track was perfect as it was. That track was what was married to the visual in the release print and it is what you have on this record." See below for a couple of excellent reviews of this music. Again, only 350 of these beauties were pressed, each packed in a beautiful paste-on (paste-around, really) cover, and they sold out fast. This copy is in pristine shape; it was played once to dub onto disc, then carefully stored in a plastic outer sleeve.

Track listing (the same track appears on both sides)
Untitled
*****
Despite the array or weirdos and dipshits who have tramped thru recording studios over the past 35 years, this spur of the moment slice from CIA Change cuts a path that nobody else has followed. Connoisseurs of today’s would-be psychedelia scene ought to examine this message from the Citizens for Interplanetary Activity as a holy relic. By mastering contrast and restraint, the band imbues their music with tension. Betraying the priestly atmosphere established by the singer’s incoherent intonations, the keyboardist lathers up a torrent of notes, then yields to the guitarist’s hint of a riff. In addition to minimal percussion and organ hums, oddball elements abound, such as a solo for a closely mic’d bucket of mop water. As the guitarist quietly, slowly, subliminally builds a theme, the rhythm section transports the evolving solo into the rock ‘n’ roll structure that the band has alluded to all along. Meanwhile the singer squares off with a vision of God that presages Father Yod’s cosmic orgasms. At the apex the record trails off into the mists and mystery of history. Perhaps in another 30 years part two will be bestowed upon us.
~ Patrick Marley, Muckraker

An impressive out-of-nowhere one-sided archival LP, recorded in 1967 by this collective San Francisco band called the Citizens for Interplanetary Activity. Packaged in a cool, abstract full color xerox sleeve, limited to 350 copies; liner notes by Jud Yalkut (the music on this LP was recorded as a soundtrack to his 23-minute underground film Kusama's Self Obliteration) Not a lot of documentation exists on this group, but this LP is reported to be their only recorded work and has never been released before. Impressive, free-form beyond-rock exploration. Only one side of music, but very much in a Red Krayola vein. None of the 60s clods I've talked to have ever heard of 'em. Surprise.
~ Forced Exposure