Originally called Spirits Rebellious, after a book of short stories by Lebanese-American writer Khalil Gibran, this phenomenal 1960s US psychedelic group would eventually become known simply as Spirit. Led by Hendrix-influenced guitarist Randy California, together with his stepfather Ed Cassidy on drums, percussionist Jay Ferguson, bass player Mark Andes and keyboards player John Locke, Spirit were more jazz oriented than many of their contemporaries. This direction shone through their studio work, especially on such albums as their eponymously titled debut, its follow up The Family That Plays Together and the masterpiece that is The Twelve Dreams Of Dr. Sardonicus. All have strong elements of jazz and world music pulsing through them, overlaid with California's stinging psychedelic guitar that gives their songs an extra edge. This perfectly presented box set pays overdue homage to Spirit's early recordings – and includes the soundtrack the group supplied for French director Jaques Demy's 1969 movie Model Shop. It is here where Spirit's sound moves more into jazz rock, albeit of a strain that is heavily spiked with acid. Also included are later albums Clear (that combined Model Shop extracts and new material), together with the confusing countrified rock oddity Feedback, recorded after California, Andes and Ferguson had left the group following an internal dispute. Although virtually only Spirit in name (remaining members Cassidy and Locke assisted by musician brothers John and Al Staehely) the resulting album is not the disaster that critics claimed it was at the time. For a taste of Spirit at their finest, though, The Twelve Dreams Of Dr. Sardonicus is their Bitches Brew, a beautifully composed and lusciously arranged set that seamlessly blends rock into jazz on such songs as ‘Prelude – Nothing To Hide’, ‘Morning Will Come’ and the bonus session track ‘Rougher Road’. California drowned in a surfing accident in 1997 while trying to save his son: the music he made with Spirit is his greatest legacy to the world and this box set is the best place to hear it.