Sold Date: September 9, 2018
Start Date: August 30, 2018
Final Price: £250.00 (GBP)
Bid Count: 8
Seller Feedback: 400
Buyer Feedback: 89

This auction os for an original Magic Carpet LP (Mushroom 200 MR 20) by UK Magic Carpet band released in 1972 on the Mushroom label. It was kept in a box since the time of release and has not been played. The cover is in very good condition considering its age, though the inner sleeve has become 'tarnished' with age, slightly discoloured round the edges. (Please see photos). 

The Magic Carpet band created a unique sound at the time, blending European contemporary folk vocals and guitar of Alisha Sufit with the skilled sitar playing of Clem Alford, plus guitar by Jim Moyes and tabla by Keshav Sathe.  

One reviewer writes: "One of the finest and most legendary examples of eastern infused psychedelic folk, Magic Carpet (...) includes the prerequisite acoustic and electric guitars, as well as sitar, esraj, tamboura, tabla and other percussion, all of which is emphasised by radiantly charming female vocals. It seems as if there are countless albums that tap into non-western music which quickly delve into kitsch territory, but Magic Carpet is an exquisitely performed and genuine integration of various musical languages. The band takes advantage of the sitar's resonant qualities, creating a psychedelic atmosphere around which their loosely constructed and lavishly ornamented concoctions are created. While many new bands seem to reach near mythical status simply through cynical regurgitation, Magic Carpet made this kind of music imbued with a wonderfully un-jaded sense of optimism, more typical of records of this vintage." 

Another reviewer writes: "Based around the classically trained sitar virtuoso Clem Alford and the breathtaking ethereal vocalist Alisha Sufit, Magic Carpet delivered perhaps one of the finest Indian-influenced psychedelic folk albums of the 1970's. Unfortunately this supremely talented collective split before the album was released. Opening with the title track, this mystical instrumental raga sets the tone for this beautiful and deeply spiritual album. Alisha Sufit's astonishing vocal talents are included in nine of the twelve tracks, the remaining three being instrumental. She also plays acoustic guitar. This psych folk gem is a unique and extraordinary fusion of east and west, Magic Carpet being one of the very first bands to truly combine Indian and western instrumentation, with Jim Moyes playing guitar and Keshav Sathe on Tabla."

Listen to tracks on YouTube or CD Baby. Find out more on the Facebook page Magic Carpet 1972

Tracks:–

Side One: The Magic Carpet, The Phoenix, Black Cat, Alan's Christmas Card, Harvest Song, Do You Hear The Words

Side Two: Father Time, La La, Peace Song, Take Away Kesh, High Street, The Dream

The album with be mailed to the winning bidder safely packed in thick cardboard with the LP outside the sleeves in a protective modern vinyl sleeve for the journey to avoid any splitting, the package fully insured. Happy bidding!