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Nektar - 1977 - "Magic Is A Child" (3xCD Box Set, Esoteric Recordings) This album has been very slowly growing on me the more I have listened to it, but there is no way this stands up against the earlier classic releases, and the answer to that is pretty obvious, no guitarist and lead vocalist Roye Albrighton and the introduction (for this album only) of guitarist/vocalist Dave Nelson. The vocals were now split among the four musicians, there was a move to shorter songs and a more melodic rock/AOR approach, while Mick Brockett was no longer listed as a member of the band although he was still providing the special effects and lights he had always done, and was not in the band photo. This 3 CD reissue from Esoteric provides a lengthy essay from Mo Moore plus photos while on the musical front the first disc contains the same bonus tracks as the 2005 remaster, the second disc contains a live set from Hofstra University, Long Island October 1977 which was part of the 2014 remaster, while now we also get another live set on the third disc, this time from The Community Theater, Phoenix, November 1977. As always with anything coming from Cherry Red, the sound quality is excellent, and the album notes absolutely fascinating (I had no idea the model on the cover was a young Brooke Shields). But even the appearance of guests Larry Fast (Synergy, Peter Gabriel) and Robert Fripp (credited under the pseudonym Walt Nektroid) can prevent this from feeling quite bland and uninspiring. Given what was happening in the musical world at this time it is probably no surprise that this change of direction saw them lose the momentum they had been gaining from their earlier albums and the band dissolved the following year. I guess the question is whether this is worth seeking out? For a Nektar fan quite probably, especially for the live sets, but for the casual onlooker this is probably a pass. There is little in the way of true dynamics, and all the songs blur into each other. The passion had gone, and it shows. For me it is interesting to hear as I had not previously come across it, and as I said earlier, I enjoyed it much more after playing it a few times, but now the review is done I doubt I will ever listen to it again. Kev Rowland, August 2026 Progtector: August 2026 Related Links: Nektar Esoteric Recordings