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Henry Flynt - philosopher, student of Pran Nath, a central figure in the early propaganda actions of the George Maciunas led Fluxus activities in the early 60s, four time sit in performer with the Velvet Underground, author of Blueprint For a Higher Civilization and various spirited broadsides against Stockhausen, 12 tone music, and the cultural dominion of European art -- presents us with Graduation some 21 years after its originally scheduled (and scrapped) release. Graduation is the culmination of several years of solo exploration and chance ensemble opportunities to realize his own personal vision of an avant-hillbilly American ethnic music cast out of the mixed up mold of Indian classical, bluegrass, funk, blues, and psychedelia. The result is a perfectly realized trucking and trancing outsider sound world. From the alternately twisted and comical political anthem of the opening title track, Pran Nath influenced vocal stylings, to the winsome hillbilly, cowboy raga, steel city boogie on the succeeding 6 group instrumentals, it is only too clear that Graduation has as much to do with classic southern jam rock as it does with the minimalism of downtown New York drone luminary, and Flynt ally, La Monte Young. The record takes a sudden turn on the album closer with the nearly 20 minute illuminatory audio program Celestial Power, an elemental, laid back head trip comprised of oscillating vibrato guitar churns that instantly monopolize your ears and spirit and bring you to a natural high. The nearly 80 minute collection was remastered from the original tapes, and features two classic photos of Flynt by the acclaimed photographer Peter Moore and updated track notes by Flynt.
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