There’s a long list of bands that deserved to make it huge but just couldn’t quite get all the stars to align in their favor. Case in point — Spirit. The original lineup of this progressive/psychedelic/pop/rock outfit issued four outstanding albums before fracturing. This is the fourth — 1970’s Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus, originally released on Epic Records.

There’s just enough to make this image freaky, without it being over the top. I dig that distorted, fun house mirror effect. It’s a little hard to tell who is who, but I’m guessing that’s guitarist/vocalist Randy California in front with the hat. Behind him appear to be (l-r) Ed Cassidy (drums, percussion), John Locke (keyboards), Mark Andes (bass, vocals), and Jay Ferguson (percussion, keyboards, vocals).

The photography credit goes to Ira Cohen, and art direction was by Bruce McCauley and Locke. Cohen, whose photography was a major part of the counterculture movement of the 1960s, died in April of this year. The Guardian has a slideshow of his work available for your viewing pleasure.

Related articles

• Ira Cohen obituary (guardian.co.uk)
• Ira Cohen: Writer, artist and publisher who devoted his life to his alternative vision of the world (independent.co.uk)
• Album cover of the week: Mob Rules (grayflannelsuit.net)
• The Eulogizer: Avant-garde poet Ira Cohen, eclectic entrepreneur Cyrus Harvey (jta.org)

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