My friend Craig turned me on to this guy's lone self-titled album giving praise to his simple lyrics that he sings with so much conviction. Released in 1974, "The Om Album" as it's often called never really reached more than local recognition in the Midwest even though Lucas seemed to be talented and well connected. He was in several bands before the album, most notably a psychadelic blues band called the Spike Drivers, and was also given the wacky title of "exotic strings specialist" on several Motown albums including Psychadelic Shack by The Temptations. The first side of this album is absolutely hypnotizing. Lucas' words are sparse but his messages are delivered with so much power that they need no explanation. The second side gives way to a set of mostly instrumental breakdowns that press the importance of the record. When listening on CD the last three tracks seem out of rhythm with the rest of the album. I'm sure the experience is different when you gain that pause between sides that gives the artist freedom of new directions. I posted a few from the first side. Enjoi
