When Dave Pike first started amplifying his vibraphone in the early-1960s, during his tenure with flautist Herbie Mann, it must have seemed like a far-out thing to do. Yet, despite the potential for altered timbre and texture, his playing always sounded kind of conventional – straight-laced even. In fact, bearing in mind the consciousness-expanding experiments going on in rock and jazz by the end of the 60s, this album sounds pretty tame. Which isn't to say that it lacks charm. Everyone plays with a dextrous agility, the rhythm section is tight and funky and guitarist Kriegel does his best to add some grit, even if his axe remains largely fuzz-free. Final track. ‘The Secret Mystery of Hensch’ is the most experimental by far, starting off with an arco bass drone and sighing cymbals, opening out into a low, modal hum and finally galloping into an unhinged free interlude. It's like some weirdos snuck into an uptight soiree and spiked the fruit cup.