Caravan self-titled album

Caravan, Caravan's 1968 debut album.
A great lineup comprised of Pye Hastings, Richard Sinclair, David Sinclair, and Richard Coughlan, some of whom later played in many other great bands (Hatfield and the North, Camel, Matching Mole), but they all had in common that they were once in the "Wilde Flowers," a group formed in Canterbury, Kent, in the early 1960s, the source of the "Canterbury scene," combining pop, psychedelic rock, and jazz. This is a band that made history.

It's one of the group's most acclaimed works, an original and enjoyable gem, despite its early years, but one that stands out for its Hammond organ-driven sound and a musical quality perhaps superior to that of their later albums. It's an album that should be reevaluated by many; it's one of Caravan's creative peaks, a band that influenced the genre with its unique style.

It's certainly a very important album; the differences between this and their subsequent albums are evident. This debut is their highly original take on psychedelia and a great demonstration of the band's (then) young members' immense talent.

Some notes on the tracks:
The opening track, "A Place of My Own," features excellent organ work by Dave Sinclair, who stands out most on this album, as does his work on the closing track, "Where but for Caravan Would I?" The organ's fusion with the vocals of Pye Hastings and Richard Sinclair is exceptional.
"Policeman" has a beat-accented sound, while "Grandma's Lawn" is dominated by a haunting organ line and lyrics enhanced by Richard's great vocal work, though he really shines on "Where but for Caravan Would I?".
Cecil Rons is the song least influenced by the band's signature sound, while the romantic "Love Song with Flute" is a beautiful piece, sung splendidly by Pye—his best performance on the album, in my opinion.

This album, despite its lackluster production, is a valuable testament to embryonic prog music from the late '60s. 

A must-have and a must-listen.

Tracklist
1. Place of My Own (4:01)
2. Laughs (3:42)
3. Policeman (2:44)
4. Love Song with Flute (4:10)
5. Cecil Runs (4:07)
6. Magic Man (4:03)
7. Grandma's Lawn (3:25)
8. Where but for Caravan Would I Be (9:01)
Duration 35:13

LineUp
- Pye Hastings - guitars, bass (3.7), vocals (1.2.4-6.8)
- David Sinclair - organ, piano, backing vocals
- Richard Sinclair - bass, guitar (3.7), vocals (3.5-8)
- Richard Coughlan - drums
With:
- Jimmy Hastings - solo flute (4)

Note: All links to the musicians' works are in the TAGS under the article title or on the "Artists" page.